New Tax incentives to stimulate film shooting in Thailand

Tax incentives and other measures to stimulate film shooting in Thailand will be presented to the cabinet for consideration, probably next week.

The measures are aimed at supporting the local movie production industry which has been affected by the recent political unrest, said Wanasiri Morakul, director of the Thailand Film Office under the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

The incentives would include a value-added tax refund at the point of departure, a 20% to 25% tax credit for foreign film firms, and an income tax exemption for foreign actors, who are now charged about 10%.

Income tax for foreign actors is a key obstacle for foreign films shooting here,said Ms Wanasiri. Many feel it is not fair for foreign actors who are paid in foreign currency to pay taxes as high as 10%.

Ms Wanasiri said the tax exemption would create jobs if it draws film shoots to Thailand, even if the government loses some tax revenue.

A film shooting promotion committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Trai rong Suwankhiri recently approved a three-year waiver of charges on foreign film production at government sites such as national parks or heritage areas designated by the Fine Arts Department.

Previously national parks would charge about 5,000 baht per day for foreign film shoots while the Fine Arts Department would charge about 10,000 baht. Certain state units have charged on a per-hour basis.

via Film shoot incentives touted.