BANGKOK — Thailand is capitalizing on Hollywood entertainment to drive tourism growth, with the recent launch of Jurassic World: The Experience in Bangkok and promotional efforts around the Alien: Earth series filmed in Thailand.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), is preparing promotional campaigns to leverage the Alien: Earth series, which premiered on August 13 on Disney+ Hotstar.
She noted that Alien: Earth represents the largest foreign production investment in Thailand in over 30 years, with a budget of 2.8 billion baht ($86.5 million) and nearly two years of filming across seven provinces: Bangkok, Phang Nga, Krabi, Nakhon Pathom, Surat Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Samut Prakan. The production employed over 16,000 Thai crew members throughout filming.
Targeting World-Class Film Destination
This promotional strategy builds on TAT’s success with Jurassic World: Rebirth, positioning Thailand as a “World-Class Film Destination.” The Jurassic World sequel was filmed in three southern provinces—Krabi, Phang Nga, and Trang—with a 400-million-baht ($12.3 million) budget, creating jobs for 2,245 Thai workers including behind-the-scenes crew, production companies, and local service providers.
TAT has been promoting the film’s shooting locations as tourist destinations, including Railay Beach (opening scene), Ban Bakan, Huai To Waterfall, Khlong Rued (clear water canal), Hat Nai Mueang Beach, Toh Luang Cave, Khao Khanab Nam, and Khao Ngon Nak in Krabi; Phang Nga Bay; and Sunset Beach and Koh Kradan in Trang.
Jurassic World: The Experience Fully Booked
Meanwhile, Jurassic World: The Experience officially opened at Asiatique The Riverfront on August 8, developed by Asset World Corporation (AWC), Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, in partnership with NEON and Universal Destinations and Experiences.
Wallapa Traisoranakul, CEO and Managing Director of AWC, revealed that the attraction required an investment of over 1.4 billion baht ($43 million) across more than 10,000 square meters. Since pre-sales began, weekends and holidays have been fully booked, exceeding initial targets from both Thai and international visitors.
“We’re confident this will sustainably promote tourism in Bangkok and throughout Thailand. Although Thai tourism has slowed since Q2 this year, new attractions like this will help revitalize the sector,” she said.
TAT Provides Support for Film Industry
Thapanee, who attended the Jurassic World experience opening, emphasized TAT’s continued support for the film industry, focusing on coordination and facilitating “Ease of Filming” for international productions at local, private, and government levels to ensure smooth and efficient filming operations in Thailand.
The Department of Tourism and TAT have implemented Cash Rebate measures offering 15-30% incentives to foreign productions to attract more global film investments to Thai locations. They’ve also launched the Location Thailand project to promote filming locations as tourist destinations, inspiring travelers worldwide.
TAT has partnered with Netflix to promote Thai tourism and culture through films like “Midnight Asia: Eat, Dance, Dream” and “Hidden Gem,” while supporting the international distribution of Thai dramas. The TAT Seoul office has previously screened Thai films and series in South Korea.
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