TAT cuts backing for film festival to only Bt25m

TAT governor Phornsiri Manoharn said yesterday that the authority would switch some of the budget saved to other marketing activities and promotions.

This year's BKK IFF is expected to cost up to Bt100 million. However, the agency reasoned that it was unnecessary for it to spend that much on the event because it has passed responsibility for the festival to the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand.

All preparation for the event and the operation of the BKK IFF has been taken over by the federation this year.

BKK IFF 2008 is scheduled to held in Bangkok from September 23-30. The festival aims to promote Thailand as an Asian hub for movie shoots and production and therefore to boost receipts from film production companies.

The TAT's decision to cut its sponsorship is no surprise, as it has been reducing the amount it spends on the festival over the past two years.

The TAT started the event in 2003 with Bt175 million. Spending rose to Bt200 million in 2004 and Bt350 million in 2005.

However, the budget was cut to Bt90 million in 2006. Last year, the TAT spent Bt80 million on the event.

The tourism agency will remain a key sponsor in spite of its smaller contribution.

Phornsiri was quoted as saying that the TAT preferred to spend its budget on tactical promotions overseas to stimulate more arrivals from emerging and high-spending segments, particularly from markets such as China, India and the Middle East.