How smart is filming without a permit in Thailand?

November 13, 2007 1:53 AM

Filming without a permit in Thailand? Good idea or no?

I'm doing a short film in a Thailand that will be shot on a PD170. I have about 4 or 5 cast members and crew only consists of me and a friend.

Getting a permit for filming in Thailand is proving to be a headache and more importantly, tearing a huge hole on my pocket. Apparently, you need a Film Officer onboard with you overseeing the production and he'll cost about 2000 Baht (US$50) per day. You also need to pay for his lodging and food. On top of that, you also need a Thai Coordinator who'll cost about 10000 Baht (US$250) per day. It's ridiculous coz I'm just doing a nice, sweet, low budget, short film. I'll be in Chiang Mai for 7 days and these guys are gonna cost a bomb. That's money down the drain, frankly. I only need the permit. But then, I can't get a permit without hiring these people as well.

So my friend's suggesting that we just bring the equipment in and shoot. We have a PD170, a sun gun and a tripod..that's it. How feasible would it be to pull it off? I don't think we should have much trouble at the locations themselves coz it'll be in Chiang Mai and it's huge but I'm just worried about the airport security.

Just for the record, we don't know anybody there in Thailand. Well, we do but they're not filmmakers or close friends.

Things are pretty much confirmed and we will be going to Chiang Mai without a permit but I need some sort of reassurance or at least some ideas to make sure we don't get into trouble. Anybody? Thanks in advance!

posted by mordecai to media & arts (5 comments total)

I'd suggest you Google "Thai Jails" before trying this.
posted by pjern at 2:21 AM on November 13, 2007

There was a good piece about the Thai jungle shoot for Werner Herzog's new film in last week's Observer (UK): Herzog Shoots. Plenty of alarming background detail about what happens if you don't play by the local rules: 'Over the next few days, [production company principal Steve] Marlton and eight crew members were prevented from boarding planes at Bangkok airport. Marlton was informed by the Thai police that he would be allowed to leave only if he paid $500,000 in taxes that the production supposedly owed.' Although admittedly a lot of the production's problems seem to stem from it being a film by Werner Herzog.
posted by jonathanbell at 2:27 AM on November 13, 2007

Hi again Mordecal,

Another interesting question. Thank you. Well, I have a very close friend who previously filmed a couple travel videos that you can see on my site in the below URLs:

Bangkok, Thailand - The Weekend Market


Bangkok's Grand Palace Travel Video

and while these are not short films, they are, somewhat lengthy travel videos that he filmed with a small DV camera and tripod, all by himself. And there was never any question or thought about a permit. And what you wrote above seems far too high and I would never pay that much. No way.

Well, I have been told that Thai people like to negotiate so, if it may be possible, maybe you could try to negotiate a rock-bottom rate for your Film Officer and Thai Coordinator. If not, and you are determined to go for it without a permit, then prior to departure, I would inquire with your country's embassy on the possible consequences that could happen if you were caught filming without a permit. And, I seriously doubt that they would imprison you or anyone else for filming a simple short. Most likely, you won't get caught and even if you do, I think it would just involve the payment of a small fine on the spot and then it would be over. But, that's only what I "think" as I don't know much about Thai laws at all. But I have been there once and one good Thai friend of mine told me that whatever price is quoted for anything, it can, with persistence and ALOT of smiling, be negotiated to a lower level.

Well, good luck and remember to say "KO-PUN-KA" (Good afternoon) WITH A BIG SMILE! :O)
posted by robpongi at 3:24 AM on November 13, 2007

My friends shot in Thailand for a travel show without a permit. Shooting on PD170. no problems. They even shot in cuba without permits.

A PD170 can be passed off as a tourist camera. To them you'll just look like a tourist shooting some stuff. Maybe if you were shooting 'The Beach' you should look into permits.

Having said that, like you would in any other country don't film military style places or people, don't set up your tripod on a main street and upset traffic, in fact avoid using a tripod in publc places altogether, that will make you look professional. Bascially don't draw to much attention to yourself and if you get caught doing something, you're just a tourist shooting some scenery.
posted by DOUBLE A SIDE at 3:40 AM on November 13, 2007

If you're going to be shooting government buildings, military facilities, places of worship, etc., you'll need permission. If you plan on shooting inside any bars, you'll might have to "tip" the mamasan or buy some drinks, but for normal shots other than that, I doubt you'll have any problems. Just remember, attitude is important. Stay alert and act like you're doing nothing wrong, and no one will bother you. If you get into any trouble, feign ignorance and tell them it was for a class at school. Don't loose your patience or your cool... and remember to smile.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:49 AM on November 13, 2007