Thailand has become a favourite place to shoot music videos, and it is easy to see why. You get a huge range of looks in one country, from cities and beaches to temples and mountains, and a production community that is used to the fast pace of music work. We have made many music videos over the years, and this is how the process usually works, especially when the artist or label is based overseas.

1. Why Thailand works for music videos

Music videos often need several very different looks in a short shoot. In northern Thailand, a misty mountain road, an old wooden house and a neon lit street can all sit within the same day’s drive. The weather is warm for most of the year, the light is soft in the early morning and late afternoon, and local crews are used to moving quickly between setups.

2. It all starts with the song

The best music videos grow out of the song itself. Before anything else, send the track to your local team along with a few references, such as other videos, films or photos you love. A short note about what the song means to you helps too.

From there, the director writes a treatment that explains the idea, the look and the story. This is the moment to give honest feedback. It is much easier to change an idea on paper than on set.

3. Working together across time zones

Thailand is on GMT+7, so there is usually a window each day when both teams are awake. Most of the planning happens over video calls and shared documents, with the treatment, shot list, casting and locations each sent for approval along the way.

We find that it helps to agree on one main contact on each side and a simple rhythm for check ins. That way decisions are made quickly and nobody is left waiting.

4. On set, with or without you

Some artists fly in to perform, and some productions are shot entirely by the local team. If you cannot be on set, ask whether the team can share the monitor remotely or send selects at the end of each day, so you can see the footage as it comes in.

If the artist or any crew members are travelling to Thailand for the shoot, make sure the right paperwork is in place early, and your local team can point you in the right direction.

5. Post production and delivery

After the shoot comes the edit, colour grading and any visual effects. Plan for a few rounds of feedback, and agree at the start on what you need to deliver, such as the main video for YouTube, vertical cuts for TikTok and Reels, or short teasers for the release campaign. Knowing this before the shoot means the crew can frame and capture everything you need in one go.

6. Small things that make a big difference

The midday heat can be intense, so we plan the hardest scenes for early morning or late afternoon and keep plenty of water and shade on set. Afternoon rain is common during the rainy season, so a nearby indoor backup is always a good idea. And for temples, homes and shops, asking permission ahead of time keeps everyone welcome to come back.

A few of our recent music videos

Here are some of the latest music videos we have made with Thai artists. You can find more about each one on its project page.

Archita, WATCHI

“WATCHI” by Archita, official music video by 239 Studio

Moving and Cut, ผู้ไม่หวังดี

“ผู้ไม่หวังดี” by Moving and Cut, official music video by 239 Studio

Better Weather, แจ็กพอต

“แจ็กพอต” by Better Weather, official music video by 239 Studio

Ready to talk about your song?

You can see some of the music videos we have made in our projects, and if you are thinking of shooting in the north, our guide to filming in Chiang Mai is a good place to start.

If you have a song you are excited about, we would love to hear it. Send us a note at [email protected] and we can talk through ideas together.