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Bangkok Post
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Bangkok Post
Economic woes hinder Thai cinema
Thailand's sluggish economy could impact how frequently audiences visit cinemas, according to leading Thai film studio GDH 559 Co Ltd. Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn, director of content at GDH 559, said the economic slowdown may force film audiences to be more selective, with frequency dropping from several visits a month to possibly just one. Furthermore, Thai films face stiff competition from a strong lineup of Hollywood blockbusters during the Western summer movie season. He emphasised the importance of a strong movie concept as essential for attracting audiences during these challenging times, calling it the "big idea". Mr Thodsapon rejected the stereotype that audiences might stick with a particular genre, as many pundits have noted Thais love comedies. He said many Thai comedies did not earn a profit. To support the growth of Thai cinema, Mr Thodsapon called for fairer operations in the film industry. For example, the scheduling of screening slots needs to be fair, as past norms allowed Thai films to remain in theatres for about a month, he said. Now some films are pulled from screens in less than a week if they do not perform well, which significantly limits reach and revenue, especially for independent studios. Mr Thodsapon also pointed to the importance of collaboration between film schools and production studios, suggesting cooperation to design curricula that teach the skills truly needed in the industry. Speaking at the "Regional Trade Exponential Fest 2025", organised by the International Institute for Trade and Development, he said Thai cinema is entering a new period of growth that could last longer than previous cycles. Mr Thodsapon said Thai films are gaining traction in the domestic market, in Southeast Asia and beyond. "Thai films are attracting more attention from Southeast Asian moviegoers," he said. The Vietnam market shows strong potential due to cultural similarities and Vietnamese audiences often understand Thai humour, said Mr Thodsapon. Vietnam's large population of more than 100 million, combined with social habits that favour outdoor activities such as going to the cinema, makes the country a key target for Thai films, he said. Apart from Vietnam, Thai content is also gaining ground in other parts of Asia and Europe. Mr Thodsapon believes the appeal of Thai cinema may depend on its "Thainess", which can be expressed through a wide range of genres if the films include the "big idea". He said more Thai production companies are now focusing on international audiences.
Bangkok Post
06-08-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Thai-US talks to clarify tariff rules
Thailand will have detailed discussions with the United States regarding their new tariff agreement this month, according to Chantawit Tantasith, a deputy commerce minister. 'The Office of the US Trade Representative informed Thailand that the US will resume detailed negotiations with us in late August to September, aiming to reach an agreement on the details of the reciprocal tariff text,' he said on Wednesday. Following these negotiations, the agreement will be presented to parliament for approval, said Mr Chantawit. He said the 19% tariff rate on Thai goods, which takes effect on Thursday, is positive as it helps Thai entrepreneurs to maintain their competitiveness. The rate, markedly lower than the 36% initially set by Washington, was announced after the Thai government agreed to eliminate import duties on more than 10,000 items imported from the US. Local content A major challenge still facing Thailand and its neighbours is agreeing on minimum local content levels, as Washington is taking a hard line on goods transshipped through other countries. In the case of Southeast Asia, that usually means products originating in China. The next step will be for Thai businesses to align with the principles of regional value content (RVC) and rules of origin to secure continued trade benefits. Mr Chantawit said further negotiations will delve into aspects such as market access, non-tariff barriers and product-specific tariff rates. Regarding the RVC negotiations, he said Thailand needs clearer communication from the US about its approach, as there is uncertainty about whether the US will allow bilateral discussions or if it plans to set RVC criteria unilaterally for Thailand. Washington might issue RVC criteria directly, but they could be tailored for specific countries or applied regionally, said Mr Chantawit. Once Thailand receives definitive information on the RVC, he said authorities can evaluate the benefits and drawbacks for Thai businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. Mr Chantawit said the International Institute for Trade and Development would oversee this matter, developing plans to gather feedback from both small and large businesses to assess the expected impact, necessary adaptations and support needed from the government. 'The outcomes of the negotiations must be balanced and ensure maximum benefits for Thailand,' he said. 'We have to consider the effects on all stakeholders before signing the agreement.' The ministry on Thursday will open a one-stop service centre at the Export Promotion Center on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok to help entrepreneurs in adapting to new regulations and to navigate global competition.
