Co-production

Thailand has emerged as a premier destination for producers seeking co-production opportunities with local partners. The country presents a dynamic landscape for international collaboration, offering access to highly skilled crews, diverse and visually striking locations, attractive financial incentives, and a cost-efficient production infrastructure. Furthermore, a range of funds and grants are available to support international teams in maximizing the value and impact of their projects in Thailand.

The following information provides key insights to help you effectively plan your co-production with Thai partners and fully capitalize on the advantages of filming in Thailand.

Thailand Co-Production Investment Initiative

Foreign content providers can engage in film or television co-productions in Thailand through three distinct modes of entry. The first mode involves hiring services or leasing production sites temporarily. The second mode allows joint investment with Thai content providers for project completion, without forming a new company. The third mode entails joint investment that leads to the establishment of new juristic persons, creating a permanent business presence in Thailand. Each mode is governed by different legal frameworks and regulations, providing varying levels of support and eligibility for foreign content providers.

Service Hire or Temporary Lease

This entry mode is regulated by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports through its Department of Tourism. It allows foreign filmmakers to hire services or lease production facilities temporarily. Foreign co-productions can benefit from financial incentives such as a 15-30% refund, provided that the investment meets certain criteria. The eligibility for these privileges is detailed in the Film and Video Act (2008) and requires foreign filmmakers to fulfill specific requirements, such as contracting with local coordinators or ensuring a certain level of local spending. Additionally, a Reimbursement Review Committee ensures that applicants meet the conditions for receiving financial support

Joint Investment Without Establishing New Juristic Persons

The second mode allows foreign content providers to jointly invest with Thai counterparts without the need to create a new legal entity. Instead of forming a new juristic person, the investment is governed by agreements like business contracts or joint-venture agreements. In this arrangement, profits and costs are shared according to the terms of the agreement, and the legal relationship between the partners is governed by contract and partnership laws under Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code. This model provides flexibility for foreign content providers, as the relationship and responsibilities between the investors are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Joint Investment by Establishing Juristic Persons

The third mode of entry involves the creation of a new juristic person in Thailand. This process is regulated by the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce. There are two main types of juristic persons that can be established: one where foreign investors hold less than 49% of shares, making it a Thai company, and another where foreign investors hold more than 50%, making it a foreign company. The latter requires obtaining a foreign business permit under the Foreign Business Act (1999). If the company is considered foreign, it may also need to apply for investment privileges, particularly if it qualifies under the Investment Promotion Act, which offers tax incentives and other benefits.

Investment Promotion and Privileges

The Board of Investment (BOI) plays a key role in promoting investment in Thailand’s film and television industry. Foreign and Thai co-productions can benefit from a range of incentives depending on the nature of their investment. For instance, businesses involved in motion picture production in industrial zones (known as Movie Towns) can enjoy exemptions from corporate income tax for five years, along with exemptions on import duties for machinery and raw materials used for production. Additionally, companies involved in the production of films or television programs, or providing motion picture support services, can access similar incentives, including exemptions from duties on imported equipment and non-tax benefits like visas for foreign personnel.

Co-production Types

Official Co-production

An official co-production is a collaborative effort between content producers from two or more countries, in which the governments of the participating countries are directly involved in negotiating and formalizing a contract. This agreement is designed to promote and support the production process by ensuring that operations are carried out in line with the terms of the contract. Once the governments sign the agreement, producers from each country can apply for project approval, thereby establishing the co-production as an official international television production.

Currently, Thailand has not entered into any formal co-production treaties or agreements with other countries. However, several nations have expressed interest in developing international co-production partnerships with Thailand. As a result, Thailand is currently in the process of evaluating the possibility of entering into bilateral treaties or agreements to facilitate official co-productions.

When a project qualifies as an official co-production, the content produced is recognized as domestic production in all participating countries. This classification allows the production to access the same benefits available to local productions, such as government funding, expedited visa and work permit processing for foreign personnel, and the importation of filming equipment.

Unofficial Co-production

An unofficial co-production refers to a collaboration between content producers from two or more countries that is not governed by any international treaty or formal agreement between the respective governments. Instead, all terms and conditions are based on a mutual business agreement, following the principle of freedom of contract. Because this form of cooperation is not officially recognized at the governmental level, it typically does not qualify for state support. Rather, it functions primarily as a commercial arrangement between the involved parties.

Unofficial co-productions typically exhibit the following four key features:

The collaboration involves cooperation in at least one area, such as financing, technical production, or creative/artistic input.
Ownership of the produced content (including copyright) is determined by the terms outlined in the private business contract between the content providers.
Both parties are usually companies legally registered in their respective countries, with the stated objective of producing content.
Additional terms and conditions vary on a case-by-case basis, as specified in the individual business agreements.

Benefits of Expected Co-production

Financing

Domestic entrepreneurs can expand the scale of their productions by leveraging new funding sources through co-production. Smaller local producers often face financial limitations; however, partnering with larger entities enables access to additional capital and resources, allowing them to undertake more ambitious and extensive projects.

Production

Co-producing with a foreign partner allows each producer to maintain full access to the project while benefiting from shared expertise, resources, and industry knowledge. For smaller producers, collaborating with internationally recognized partners can be particularly advantageous, offering increased credibility, broader exposure, and enhanced opportunities for growth.

Market Size

Co-production offers producers access not only to each other’s domestic markets but also to broader international and global audiences.

Distribution

Co-production helps minimize distribution and broadcast barriers in participating countries by granting programs the same rights as national productions. For instance, such projects may be exempt from foreign content quotas. As a result, they are often recognized as local productions in each co-producing country, facilitating wider acceptance and reach.

Cultural Aspect

Co-production serves as a valuable means of overcoming cultural and regulatory barriers. In countries where access to certain locations is restricted for foreign filmmakers, collaboration with a Thai crew can facilitate entry to typically off-limits sites. Moreover, Thai production teams can provide crucial support in navigating local regulations and securing the necessary permits prior to the commencement of filming.

Benefits

Finally, co-production enables foreign producers to access a range of attractive incentives and benefits available in Thailand, further enhancing the value and feasibility of their projects.

Working with a Thai Co-production Company

As part of a co-production with Thailand, you’ll benefit from a highly skilled and experienced film crew renowned for their expertise in using specialized tools with a deep understanding of production needs. Collaborating with a talented Thai team not only elevates the technical and creative aspects of your project but also offers valuable local insights into filming in the country. This ensures a smooth production process while showcasing the breathtaking diversity of Thailand’s landscapes.

Thai film crews are known for their professionalism, friendliness, and attention to detail, helping your production stay on track and meet your vision. Plus, international co-productions may qualify for up to a 30% cash rebate through the Thailand Film Office.

Excellent Crew

Thai crew are knowledgeable, proficient, experienced, and able to utilize world-class equipment to ensure your films or series are shot professionally. Our English-speaking teams can assist you with your requests and the required documentation is filled out when delivered to the Thailand Film Office or relevant offices to gain permits or permissions.

Low Production Costs

Production and labor costs are relatively low in Thailand and its surrounding neighbors. Producers can therefore stretch their budget further and make the most of their production schedules in the country.

Beautiful Filming Locations

Thailand features an abundance of dynamic filming locations ideal for your production. While the country is best known for its idyllic beaches, forests, and rice fields, the country provides pine forests, markets, western houses, historical sites, streets and backroads, and powerful studios and backlots for your next production.

In-demand Thai Stars

Thai stars are talented and capable of taking on demanding roles. Furthermore, many Thai stars are popular in many countries outside the country.

Distinctive and Unique Content

Particular contents or storylines are favorable according to their audiences. Many Thai and Western audiences enjoy watching boy love stories produced in Thailand. The selected actors used are well-known internationally.

Competitive Film Incentives

Thailand is open to co-productions with other countries and provides lower quota access and cultural limits compared to countries within the same region.

By co-producing with Thailand’s skilled filmmakers and crew, you open the door to attractive cash incentives and tax rebates. Over the years, Thailand has established itself as a global powerhouse in film production, known for delivering high-quality films and series that resonate internationally. With a wealth of stunning locations and state-of-the-art facilities, more filmmakers are choosing Thai production teams as their preferred co-production partners.

Case Studies

Feature Film: Hey! Look! Look! It’s My God Father

Co-produced in 2020, this collaboration between Transformation Film (Thailand) and Mango Entertainment (China) resulted in a highly successful feature film. China contributed 60% of the investment, while Thailand put in 40%, with the focus on the Chinese market. The film’s success was largely driven by the casting of popular Thai stars, which helped achieve an impressive ROI ratio of 76%. Additionally, there was potential for further revenue from global screenings. The success of the film also aimed to elevate the standards of Thailand’s film industry, both in production quality and crew. The result of the success led to a merger of four major film alliances, dedicated to producing high-quality Thai films for domestic and international audiences.

TV Series: Extraordinary Siamese Story: Eng and Chang

Created by True Group, the 13-episode series aims to penetrate Western markets, as the West is familiar with the story of the Siamese Twins. Thai production teams wrote the scripts in English through OTT, the Disney Hotstar platform. The series’ co-production featured teams from True Group by True Original, Katana Motion Pictures, and Disney to produce Disney Original content using filming locations in Kanchanaburi. The success of the co-production between the three parties allowed the series to debut on Disney+ Hotstar on June 30, 2021.

TV Series: Siam Ramayana

Co-production between Thailand and India resulted in the development of Siam Ramayana, a 40-episode fantasy-drama series, 60 minutes each episode, focused on the writings of King Rama I and adapted to connect with current events. Siam Ramayana will be co-produced by JKN Global Media PLC and Triangle Film Company, an Indian company with several notable works including Sidaram. The series will use popular Indian actors who are recognized globally alongside Thai actors. However, the series came to a pause due to the pandemic in 2021. Once the production is completed, JKN will be responsible for the distribution of the series with plans to sell in Thailand first, then India, then to the international market. Its copyright aims to sell all over the world.

Funds

Thailand Co-Production Fund

Managed by the Thailand Film Office, this fund supports international co-productions between Thai filmmakers and international counterparts. This fund aims to foster positive collaborations which benefit both local and international film industries. The fund provides financial support and other production incentives.

ASEAN Co-Production Fund

Managed by the ASEAN Secretariat and affiliated organizations. This fund supports films that involve multiple ASEAN countries and promotes cross-border cooperation within Southeast Asia.

If you are interested in co-production opportunities, you can reach out to us by filling out the contact form below.