Thailand further strengthened its standing as one of the world’s most compelling international filming destinations as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted a high-level industry panel at the American Film Market (AFM) on 13 November. The discussion spotlighted the Kingdom’s growing production capabilities, cross-border creative partnerships, and rising confidence among major studios that increasingly view Thailand as a seamless, world-class base for international shoots.
Titled “Amazing Thailand Talk: Unlocking Thailand’s Cinematic Potential,” the session brought together senior leaders from HBO/HBOMAX/Warner Brothers Discovery, FX Productions and acclaimed screen talent, underscoring Thailand’s ongoing evolution into a full-fledged global production hub.
Top Studios Endorse Thailand’s Expanding Production Ecosystem
The panel opened with remarks from Tor Saralamba, Consul-General of Thailand in Los Angeles, who highlighted Thailand’s accelerating influence across the global production landscape. He pointed to the international success of The White Lotus Season 3 and Alien: Earth, two major projects filmed extensively in Thailand, which have delivered both visibility and measurable tourism impact.
“It is inspiring to see TAT driving efforts to establish Thailand as a world-class filming destination here at AFM 2025,”
said Saralamba.
“The global resonance of The White Lotus and Alien: Earth continues to boost travel bookings and generate significant economic gains for Thailand. We look forward to welcoming many more creative productions.”
Representatives from TAT’s offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago emphasised that Thailand’s rapid rise is the result of a strategic blend of modern production resources, diverse cinematic landscapes, skilled crews and supportive government policy.
Studios Cite Reliability, Infrastructure and Seamless Facilitation
The forum featured candid testimonials from key executives who have worked directly in Thailand.
Jay Roewe, Senior Vice President of Production Global Incentives & Production Planning at HBO/HBOMAX/Warner Brothers Discovery, credited TAT’s on-ground support for enabling a smooth production process during The White Lotus Season 3 shoot.
“TAT’s national network was invaluable—introducing us to partners, helping structure deals, and supporting us through every stage. They understand the filming process deeply and know exactly which government stakeholders can move things forward.”
Matt Magielnicki, Senior Vice President of Production at FX, spoke about the studio’s unprecedented decision to film every frame of Alien: Earth in Thailand.
“It was a significant bet for us. We spent months assessing infrastructure and local partners, and Thailand exceeded expectations in every way. The cast loved working there—its landscapes and culture shaped the series profoundly.”
Award-winning actor, producer and screenwriter Kevin Bernhardt emphasised Thailand’s distinct creative energy:
“Bangkok has a soul—an old-meets-new rhythm that gives stories texture. The city becomes a character in itself. That’s what drew me in.”
Strengthening International Creative Networks
Following the panel, TAT hosted an “Amazing Thailand x HBO The White Lotus Appreciation Dinner” at San Francisco’s Farmhouse Kitchen. The gathering brought together executives from HBO/HBOMAX/Warner Brothers Discovery, production partners and Thai tourism officials, further cementing collaborative ties after the global success of The White Lotus Season 3.
A Decade of Blockbuster Momentum
Over the past ten years, Thailand has steadily built a reputation as a dependable, richly diverse, and cost-competitive filming location—attracting a slate of acclaimed international productions including:
Jurassic World: Rebirth
Alien: Earth
The White Lotus Season 3
These productions have leveraged Thailand’s:
Competitive cash-rebate incentive scheme
Expanding pool of industry-trained crew
Wide range of shoot-ready natural and urban environments
Growing infrastructure of studios, equipment houses and post-production partners
Culturally intuitive hospitality and logistical expertise
A Strategic Pillar of the ‘Amazing Thailand’ Vision
TAT continues to integrate film promotion into its broader national tourism strategy, positioning Thailand not just as a travel destination but as a cultural and cinematic powerhouse.
With its deep artistic heritage, modern production infrastructure and strengthened industry partnerships, Thailand is poised to play an even larger role in global storytelling. As demand for diverse filming locations accelerates worldwide, the country’s blend of authenticity, creativity and operational reliability gives it a competitive advantage few destinations can match.
