Bangkok, 25 June, 2018 – As host city of the 19th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards 2018 during 22-24 June, the Thai capital for the three days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday became the epicentre of Bollywood glitz, glamour and stardom.
The star-studded lineup that headed Bangkok’s way for the 2018 edition of Indian cinema’s biggest celebration included Bollywood headliners Anupam Kher, Rekha, Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor, Kartik Aaryan, Varun Dhawan, Bobby Deol and Kriti Sanon.
This was the second time Bangkok had been chosen to host the IIFA event, having staged the 9th IIFA Awards in June 2008. Then the venue was Siam Paragon; this time it was Siam Niramit.
The IIFA Rocks music and IIFA Rocks Green Carpet events – where the stars can be spotted walking the carpet – was held on Friday, 22 June, 2018, and the IIFA Awards 2018 and IIFA Awards Green Carpet events on Sunday, 24 June, 2018.
Mr. Ittipol Khunplome (above photo), Vice Minister attached to the Prime Minister, said: “For Thailand to be chosen as host of the prestigious IIFA Awards a second time is extremely pleasing. This reflects the kingdom’s global reputation as a leading events destination, and can also raise awareness of Thailand as an attractive filming location.”
The Beach, The Hangover 2, Kickboxer, Bangkok Dangerous, Cutthroat Island and Tomorrow Never Dies are among big-screen foreign movies that have been shot in Thailand. The kingdom offers filmmakers amazing scenery and the professional infrastructure and support should they need it.
According to the Thailand Film Office, in 2017, Thailand received 110 applications from Indian companies for producing films, documentaries, advertising clips, TV series, and more. India was the third largest source of applications after Japan and Europe. The estimated income from all the shoots in total was 91 million US dollars.
India is a key visitor source market to Thailand, as can be seen in official arrivals data. In 2017, the kingdom welcomed 1.4 million visitors from India, an increase of 18% over 2016. The growth is expected to continue throughout 2018, with India topping the list of South Asian source markets in this 1st Quarter – posting growth of 16.91% to account for 481,573 of the 607,379 arrivals seen from this region in the four months of January to April.
Just as TAT is encouraging tourists to experience Thailand from new and existing perspectives, in the Amazing Thailand ‘Open to the New Shades’ communication concept, so too can film and documentary makers. Adding value to the scope for filming in Thailand is the ‘12 Hidden Gems Plus’ campaign that pairs secondary provinces like Chumphon and Ranong, Buri Ram and Surin, Lampang and Lamphun, and Phetchabun and Phitsanulok.
Total worldwide arrivals to Thailand in the 1st Quarter 2018 reached 13.7 million, up 13.9% over the same 2017 period. Tourism revenue generated was an estimated 730.7 billion Baht, up 17.55%.
