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Thailand is a Southeast Asian, predominantly Buddhist kingdom almost equidistant between India and China. For centuries known by outsiders as Siam, Thailand has been something of a Southeast Asian migratory, cultural and religious crossroads.
With an area of some 510,000 square kilometres and a population of some 75 millions, Thailand is approximately the same size as France. Thailand shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Laos to the northeast, Cambodia to the East, and Malaysia to the south.
Shooting on Location in Thailand:
Geographically speaking, Thailand can be divided into six major regions and two major cities all with their individual advantages for film and photo productions:
Bangkok - with almost 20 million people Bangkok has it all: skyscrapers to slums, ritzy malls to sprawling markets, ancient river boats to modern sky trains and sparkling temples to winding river canals. It's an incredible city full of contrasts: modern and traditional, opulent and run down, Asian and Western. Bangkok authorities are very cooperative when it comes to movie and TVC productions. It’s probably the only World Metropolis where you can close down major streets and avenues from people and cars for a TVC production (I guess that’s why Toyota produce their street life TVC’s in Bangkok). Where else could you do them?
Chiang Mai - Thailand's second biggest city is also a great filming destination. The city has a well kept ring-wall, several ancient areas, costs are low and logistics are relatively simple. Just 20 minutes outside of the city you find yourself in lush countryside.
Whether you are the type of person who loves big cities or not, as a producer or director it will be hard not to like Thailand's urban offerings
The mountainous north - parallel north-south mountains and fertile valleys, it boasts the country's highest peak, Doi Inthanon, at 2565m (8415 ft). Main rivers in the north are the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan, which are the major tributaries of Chao Phraya. Where elephants work forests and winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation of temperate fruits such as strawberries, peaches and grapes for wine production.
The sprawling northeast plateau - largely bordered by the Mekong River, where the world's oldest Bronze Age civilisation flourished some 5,000 years ago.
The central plain - one of the world's most fertile rice and fruits-growing areas. Comprising the flood plain of the Chao Phraya river, the country's principal waterway.
The eastern coastal plain - where fine sandy beaches support the growth of summer resorts. It has many forested offshore islands.
The western mountains and valleys - a region of saw-tooth mountains.
The peninsular south - where arresting scenic beauty complements economically vital tin mining, rubber cultivation and fishing. Rich in tropical rainforests, and long coastline of beautiful fine beaches.
Shooting in Thai studios
Bangkok has several world class studio complexes which can compete with studios almost anywhere in the world. Most studios are 9 to 10 meter (29 to 33 feet) to the ceiling. There are full cat walk grids for lighting and clean stylish make-up and dressing rooms. But be aware for too cheap offers! Not all studios are world class. Some studios are not truly sound proof. If there is a torrential tropical downpour, there will be a low audible hum.