The government is planning to use film and TV production to leverage the "soft power'' of the country's scenic nature and welcoming reputation to boost income, said government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana on Sunday.
Mr Thanakorn unveiled the plan alongside Ministry of Tourism and Sports research showing that foreign film crews have shot a total of 196 movies, series and advertisements in Thailand since July 2021, generating over 4 billion baht in national revenue in the process.
He said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha welcomed the report as an endorsement of the government's 5F policy to promote Thai culture on a global scale.
"Our policy to support Thailand as a world destination for filming has been well received due to the great collaboration of all sectors.
"It not only generates income for locals but advertises Thai culture and beautiful natural resources to people all over the world. We believe this will boost domestic tourism after the pandemic," said Mr Thanakorn.
He said the premier wants to add value to tourist offerings by promoting cultural heritage such as handicraft, cuisine, performance art and cinema, alongside the "five Fs" of food, film, fashion, fighting [boxing] and festivals.
From July 1, 2021, to March 16 this year, foreign productions made more than 4.24 billion baht, and the prime minister said the reasons were clear as he visited Phuket ahead of Songkran over the weekend, according to Mr Thanakorn.
The government began reopening the country to international tourists last July, with the total number of arrivals, as of April 8, standing at 445,801.
"Local entrepreneurs said they owed the prime minister a debt of gratitude for launching the Phuket Sandbox scheme and getting their businesses going again," he said.