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Plans for Korat to Transform into Film Production Hub

Plans to promote Nakhon Ratchasima as an international film production hub have been announced. Local authorities and agencies welcome the initiative, and are prepared to put the plan into action. By Ching Wai.

Thailand - The Thai government has revealed plans to promote Nakhon Ratchasima, or Korat, as an international film production hub. The initiative was made in an effort to attract international film and TV series producers to Thailand. The province is the third largest city in Thailand, and is one of the four major cities of Northeast Thailand, or Isan.

This initiative was announced last Friday, 29 March, at a meeting attended by the government’s soft power development committee, and representatives from the province’s chamber of commerce and local agencies. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, chairwoman of the government’s soft power development committee, announced the plan. With obvious tourism and economic benefits, local agencies and businesses welcomed the plan readily. Chairwoman of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Tourism Industry Council Watchari Pratyanuson and Chief of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Tourism Authority of Thailand office Rungtip Bookkhuntod were also in attendance.

Korat presents itself as an ideal filming location, with a variety of landscapes like Khao Yai National Park, Phimai Historical Park, and Khorat UNESCO Global Geopark. Being rich in culture and history, Korat is also ideal for producers and filmmakers to explore beyond the scenery.

To put the initiative into action, a sub-committee on soft power development was formed. Suggestions for a one-stop service centre to be set up to assist film crews interested in shooting in the province was also brought up in the meeting. The province is now simply waiting for the government’s announcement of a clear plan and budget to carry out the initiative.

So far, Korat’s economy has been dependent on agriculture and retail. The province is known as a processing centre for Isan. Korat is also the local and regional commercial hub, with all three of Thailand’s largest Bangkok-based department store chains investing in outlets in the city.

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