A commercial is a sprint: a few days, one or two locations, a small team flying in. A TV series or reality season is a tour. Weeks on the road, several provinces, a big crew, and a schedule that has to hold up through the weather and the travel.
We produced the Thai season of the Dutch format Het Perfecte Plaatje: 9 episodes, two months of filming and visas for more than 50 people. This is what we have learned about long shoots in Thailand.
Plan the route before the scripts
On a long shoot the order of the locations decides the budget. Every unit move costs a travel day, hotel changes and transport for the crew and the gear. We plan the route with you first: which regions, in what order, where the base is, and which locations can be done as day trips.
Example strip board, reality format
- Days 1 to 5Bangkok: city challenges, markets, rooftopsBase: Bangkok
- Day 6Unit move by roadTravel
- Days 7 to 11Kanchanaburi: river, jungle, waterfallsBase: Kanchanaburi
- Days 12 to 13Rest day + flight southOff / travel
- Days 14 to 20Krabi: beaches, islands, longtail boatsBase: Ao Nang
- Day 21Flight northTravel
- Days 22 to 28Chiang Mai: temples, mountains, villagesBase: Chiang Mai
Permits multiply
A commercial might need permission for two locations. A series needs it for dozens, often from different authorities:
- The film permit covers the whole production. Every location and the script for each episode or challenge must be on it. Read how the film permit works.
- Each location needs its own approval: private owners, temples, the district office in Bangkok, the provincial office elsewhere.
- National parks and marine parks have their own permits and fees, and some close for part of the rainy season.
- Police for anything on public roads, in crowds or with moving vehicles.
Reality formats have one more layer: the challenges themselves. Anything with boats, heights, animals or water needs a safety plan the authorities and the location can sign off on.
Visas for a big team
Since 2024, everyone coming to work in Thailand needs a visa and a work permit, however short their stay. On a series that can mean 50 or more applications, and they can only start once the film permit is issued.
- Send the full crew list early, with passport details and arrival dates.
- Plan rotations: people who join or leave mid-season need their own dates on the application.
- Hire locally wherever you can. Thai crew, drivers, translators and production assistants need no visas.
The full process is on our film visa and work permit page.
Keep the crew going for weeks
- Heat. Schedule exteriors early in the day and plan shade, water and cooling at every location.
- Rain. From June to October, have cover sets and weather days in the schedule. See when to film in Thailand.
- Rest days. A day off every week or so keeps a long shoot safe and the crew sharp.
- Food. Thai location catering is excellent. Ask early about allergies and dietary needs, because outside the big cities options get thin.
- Hotels. In high season, popular areas book out. Block rooms as soon as the route is fixed.
Contestants, guests and local people on camera
- Releases for everyone recognisable, in Thai and English.
- Translators on set whenever contestants talk to local people.
- Respect for temples, monks and the royal family. Some scenes that work at home do not work here, and the Film Office reviews the content. We flag these early.
Could the rebate apply?
A season with a large crew on the road for weeks can pass the ฿50 million in Thai spend needed for Thailand's cash rebate of up to 30%. If your budget is close, plan for it from the start. Hiring Thai crew in key roles and filming in designated provinces both add bonus points.
Working with us
For Het Perfecte Plaatje we handled pre-production, all visas and work permits, locations across Thailand, equipment, lighting, local crew and the logistics for the full two months. We also produce reality TV in Thailand. Send us your format and we will draft a route and a schedule.
