Forget ‘Netflix and chill’ – the new buzz is ‘Netflix and Bangkok’. In what feels like a blink of an eye, Thailand has become one of the biggest streaming markets in the world, and the global giants have noticed.
Leading the charge is Netflix, which is dropping a cool B6.5 billion to make the city its creative hub for Asia. This blockbuster move isn't happening in a vacuum. It’s perfectly timed with the Thai government’s push for ‘soft power’, which is luring global film players with juicy incentives. The strategy is simple: more world-class productions mean more jobs, a bigger stage for local talent, and a massive spotlight on Thailand.
Officials are also betting this production wave will supercharge tourism. Think about it: a few years ago, K-dramas exploded, and suddenly flights to Seoul were booked solid. Bangkok is ready for its own star turn, hoping its unique settings and stories will spark the same global curiosity.
Netflix is clearly confident in the appeal of Thai content, which has already clocked over 750 million viewing hours globally this year alone. Riding that wave, the platform has greenlit nine new Thai originals, from the much-hyped zombie flick Ziam to dramas like Master of the House that prove Thai storytelling travels well.
And it’s not just Netflix rolling out the red carpet. HBO shot the entire third season of The White Lotus here, Universal brought Jurassic World: Rebirth to our shores, and FX’s Alien: Earth marked the country’s largest-ever foreign television series investment. The message is clear: Bangkok is the new ‘it’ location.
For Thailand, the rewards go far beyond the money. This is a game-changer for the country’s creative scene. Our stories get shared with the world, and our writers, directors, and actors step onto the global stage, while local crews gain hands-on experience by working on blockbuster productions.
Bangkok's global close-up is here. Grab your popcorn – the show is just getting started.