THAI NIGHT 2014

Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi presided over Thai Night 2014, a pre-American Film Market gala event for film professionals from Thailand and Hollywood. Organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion of the Thai Ministry of Commerce, the event sought to foster greater creative and business ties between the two countries through Thai-US co-productions and Thailand as a filming destination of choice for American productions.

Thailand's appeal is based on skilled and experienced crews, state-of-the-art filming and post-production facilities as well as gorgeous locations and world-class hospitality. Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi pointed out that "the Thai film professionals understand the value of creating long-lasting bonds, and this inclination is reflected in the Thai film industry's established tradition of collaborating within and outside of its borders".

During the event's industry panel, Tom Nunan, producer of the Academy Award winning film Crash (Best Picture, 2006), shared his experience working in Thailand and noted that, as far as entertainment is concerned, Thailand is the rising force in Southeast Asia. Stargate SG1 and Scorpion King III's casting director Ivy Isenberg noted how easy it was to find skilled and English-speaking talent in Thailand.

In 2013, 67 international motion pictures were filmed in Thailand, a 26% increase from the year before. Recent highlights include Cannes 2013 official competition's Only God Forgives starring Ryan Gosling and Kristin Scott Thomas, The Railway Man starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, and the upcoming The Coup, an action film starring Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan and Lake Well.