Of all the countries in Southeast Asia, Thailand stands out as a go-to destination for Chinese production companies.
Jeff Han, a spokesperson for Chinese tech giant Tencent, told CNA that Thailand was a natural hub for talent and entertainment production.
In 2024, Tencent filmed its popular reality idol competition series Chuang Asia in Thailand.
Filmed in Bangkok, the 10-episode series saw 70 trainees from countries around the region like Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, vying for spots in a new multinational girl group.
Thammasat University’s Dr Kornphanat Tungkeunkunt called it “a strategic move” that not only allowed Tencent to bypass strict domestic regulations in China, but also “opened new opportunities” in international markets.
Season 2 was also filmed in Bangkok, beginning last December, and featured appearances by several Thai celebrity mentors including singer Jeff Satur, rapper BamBam – more famously known as a member of the K-pop boy band GOT7 – and Blackpink’s Lisa.
The show, which aired from Feb 2 to Apr 6, saw 60 aspiring trainees from nine countries and regions competing to form the new seven-member boyband NexT1DE.
Thailand’s “dynamic entertainment industry”, “well-established idol culture” and global appeal made it ideal to host and film the reality show, Han said.
“With many successful Thai stars gaining international fame, the country offers an ideal environment to discover and nurture new talent.”
But even as Chinese pop culture offerings gain traction in the region, Chinese entertainment companies still face great hurdles navigating Southeast Asia’s diverse and “uneven technological terrain” to cater shows and other offerings for local audiences.
“Products will have to be accessible to all audiences,” she said.
