Chiang Mai to host Hollywood studio

Published: 3/03/2009 at 08:00 PM
Online news:

CKA Chiang Mai Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the Los Angles-based entertainment firm Creative Kingdom Inc, plans to pour 8 billion baht into a movie town in Chiang Mai.

Construction will take seven years to complete on the 30-rai site in San Kamphaeng district.

By 2014, six studios of varying sizes will be available to serve different scales of movie production. In 2015, the company expects its production facilities will attract about 35 productions worldwide, said CEO Eduardo Robles.

The project will officially be announced on June 19 this year. Movie producers and directors from across the globe will be invited to attend to see the business potential. The company believes "Chiangmaiwood'' will be able to surpass Hong Kong as the hub of the movie industry in Asia.

Mr Robles declined to reveal sources of funds for the project, but said the company was in talks with several foreign investors abroad. The company has received tax incentives from the Board of Investment (BoI) for the venture.

Chiang Mai was chosen because it offers a good location and traffic, and skilled people in the field. As well, the city is a geographical centre for services in the Mekong region.

Most importantly, production costs are about 20% lower than in rival locations.

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Writer: Bangkokpost.com

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greendang

Discussion 7 : 15/10/2009 at 09:30 PM7
This is good news! I hope it really happens and brings in lots of good things for Chiang Mai and its people. I hope it'll get rid of the pollution problem in Chiang Mai....keeping my fingers crossed......
I Luv Thailand

Discussion 6 : 08/03/2009 at 08:47 AM6
In response to Fahlang's comment:

8 billion baht is A LOT of money. If it takes that kind of money to start movie town type project, there aren't that many sources of local fund.

Kantana Group does not have access to that kind of money. Only top 10 family and Thai government can provide them necessary fund.

I don't see any of the top 10 family does it unless they pretty much owe 80% of the venture...and I'm sure Kantawa wont have none of that.

This kind of project has too much spotlight on it for Thai government/politicians/officials to be able to make money off corruption without garnering any notice.

So, I think CKA's got much better chance than Kantana ever would since their source of fund is from abroad and they don't have to rely on Thai government except for BOI.

I'm rooting for them to succeed because it would create halo effect for the rest of Thai animation and other related industry.

Lord knows Thailand needs this in such a bad way after shooting itself in the foot so many times the past 12 months alone.
Fahlang Ba Ba Ba Bow

Discussion 5 : 05/03/2009 at 04:17 PM5
If Khun Jalreuk and the Kantana Group have been trying this for the last 15 years, close to BKK nonetheless, what makes these investors any more confident? Sounds like a lot of NATO to me... No Action, Talk Often.
chacha

Discussion 4 : 04/03/2009 at 06:00 PM4
cool!!!
i will working there..
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyessssssssssssss.
Mat

Discussion 3 : 04/03/2009 at 03:46 PM3
Perfect! Pollution and movie people, just like LA.
CNX

Discussion 2 : 04/03/2009 at 10:23 AM2
Yeh!!! great news.

My house is in San Kamphaeng, the palce where Hollywood choose.

yeh!!! again.
TonyC

Discussion 1 : 04/03/2009 at 08:14 AM1
WOW! This is a very big project during the economic downturn period.

Chiang Mai to host Hollywood studio