Written by new-contact on Nov 1, 2011. Posted in On Location

How severe flooding impacts on Thailand location filming

Thailand has been hit by some of the worst flooding for a decade, caused by very heavy seasonal rain falling across the country since the summer. In the last few days Bangkok has been at severe risk but preventative measures have been largely successful so far.

The current floods may turn out to be the worst Thailand has ever experienced and although the centre of Bangkok is largely safe, many of the suburbs are waist-deep in water. Floodgates, canals and dikes have so far been successful in protecting the city’s business areas.

Ric Lawes runs Bangkok servicing company Location Thailand: “Core locations have not been affected with the exception of Ayutthaya, which remains devastated. Alternate locations to Ayutthaya can be found in many outlying areas so it’s not such a major issue for Thailand.

“The peak periods for filming are usually between November and May when there will almost always be blue skies in Bangkok.”

Areas like the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, the western city of Kanchanaburi, the southern areas of Krabi and Phuket, and the eastern seaboard of Pattaya, have escaped the current floods.

Lawes adds that areas like the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, the western city of Kanchanaburi, the southern areas of Krabi and Phuket, and the eastern seaboard of Pattaya, have escaped the current floods.

Thailand doesn’t offer formal filming incentive schemes, but production costs frequently undercut the US and Europe by around 50%.