A multi-location shoot in Thailand is decided on the schedule long before it is decided on the map. Bangkok, a northern valley and an Andaman island are all reachable, but each move costs a half day of crew time, a second set of vehicles and a fresh round of access calls. Producers who treat the route as a list of attractions usually discover the cost in week two. This guide sets out how we decide between basing the unit in one place and moving it, and how we plan the moves we keep. For the wider service, see our film production services in Thailand.
Should a multi-location shoot in Thailand move the whole unit or fly a split team?
Start by asking which department each location actually needs. A scenic establishing day does not need a full crew, and a dialogue-heavy interior does not need a drone team. Splitting the unit is often cheaper than moving all of it.
We usually test three patterns against the script. A single base with day trips suits locations within a few hours of each other. A full move suits a block of consecutive days in one region. A split unit, with a small second team collecting cover, suits scenery that carries no principal cast.
| Pattern | Suits | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Single base, day trips | Locations close to one city and a tight cast schedule | Long travel hours eat the shooting day |
| Full unit move | Several consecutive days in one region | A lost travel day if the move slips |
| Split unit | Scenic cover and second-unit work without principal cast | Two teams to supervise and two sets of media to manage |
Key takeaway
Count the moves, not the locations. Every move is a lost half day until the schedule proves otherwise.
How should travel days be scheduled?
Treat a travel day as a production day with its own call sheet. Equipment is loaded, counted and signed out, and the arrival evening is used for a short tech check. Do not stack a shoot on the afternoon of a long move unless the location is within reach by road.
Our documentary shooting schedule guide covers how interpreted material and contributor availability change the day count. On a multi-region job, add a buffer day after the longest move. It is the cheapest insurance in the schedule.
How do you plan equipment across several regions?
Decide early what travels and what is rented locally. Core camera bodies, lenses and media usually travel with the unit. Grip, lighting, power and vehicles are often easier to hire at each stop, where a local supplier can deliver to the location.
Our film equipment rental guide and guide to importing film equipment explain the trade-off. Customs and import rules are covered there and need confirming against the current official position for your dates. Keep one packing list per region so each rental can be checked off at pick-up and return.
What does a multi-location shoot need from the fixer and local crew?
Each region needs someone who knows the ground. That means a local contact who can confirm access, a driver who knows the roads and a coordinator who is on site before the unit arrives. Working through one Bangkok team keeps those contacts under one set of instructions.
Our film fixer service exists for this purpose. For crew structure, read our film crew in Thailand guide and our documentary crew sizing guide. For site selection, our location scouting guide explains why we send a recce before any move is committed.
How do weather and season change the route?
Thailand does not have one weather pattern. A route that crosses the north, the Gulf coast and the Andaman coast can meet different conditions in the same fortnight. Sequence the weather-sensitive locations first, and leave interiors for the days you may lose.
Our best time to film in Thailand page sets out the seasons by region. If the route includes the coast or inland waterways, read boat filming in Thailand before you lock the order.
How do you keep media and permissions organised across moves?
Media is the one asset that cannot be rebought. We back up at every stop, label cards by location and day, and move a verified copy separately from the originals. The DIT and data management guide sets out the workflow.
Permissions follow the same logic. Each location may need its own access arrangement, so we track them in one sheet with a named owner for every line. Filming permits are covered in our Thailand film permit guide. We also recommend reviewing production insurance against the full route, not only the first location.
How we plan a multi-location shoot
We start with the script, mark every location and sort them by region. Then we count the moves and test each against the three patterns above. The route is only fixed once the travel days, the equipment split and the local contacts are all named.
The vehicle side of each move sits in our production transport guide. For documentary work, the route is also checked against our documentary production service approach to contributors and access. We recommend sending the full location list before dates are set.
Frequently asked questions about a multi-location shoot in Thailand
How many locations can one unit shoot in a week?
It depends on the distance between them and the size of the unit. As a planning rule, we keep to one location per day and one move per region. A tighter schedule needs a split unit.
Is it better to base in Bangkok or move around Thailand?
Bangkok suits a shoot with many locations within reach by road and a cast on a tight schedule. Moving suits a block of days in one region. We test both against your script before recommending either.
Do I need a different crew in each region?
Not usually. The core unit travels, and local drivers, assistants and coordinators join at each stop. A local team can also run a split unit while the main team is elsewhere.
Should equipment be hired locally at each stop?
Often yes for grip, lighting and vehicles. Camera bodies and media normally travel with the unit. We prepare one packing list per region.
How early should a multi-location route be planned?
Send the location list before dates are fixed. Recces, access calls and the equipment split all feed the schedule, and changing dates after they are confirmed is costly.
Can the same team handle permits for every location?
Our Bangkok team coordinates permit applications and access arrangements across locations. Requirements differ by site and change over time, so we confirm each one against the current official position.
Line producers and documentary producers planning a route across several regions can request a Thailand Production Assessment for a multi-location shoot from our Bangkok team at info@overgrownproductions.com. Send the production type, filming dates, intended locations, crew size, equipment list, permit needs and the support you require. We will return a route, schedule and equipment-split plan.