How our video production in Phuket for Pepsi Ended Up Supporting Elderly Care Facility in Phuket.
- Vladi Korn
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Global advertising campaigns often appear effortless when they reach the screen.
In reality, even the simplest production concepts can involve unexpected logistical challenges that require quick thinking and local expertise.
A recent remote video production in Phuket we handled in Thailand for Pepsi’s Strawberry & Cream campaign was a good example of that.
The Production Setup
The concept was straightforward.
Pepsi’s creative team planned to feature the iconic Phuket Clock Tower in Phuket Old Town as part of a global campaign launching on Valentine’s Day (February 14).
The live-action footage would be filmed locally in Phuket and then delivered to London, where the final commercial would be completed with CGI elements added in post-production.
Since the shoot was handled by a local crew, no official filming permit from the Thailand Film Board was required.
The Unexpected Problem
The Phuket Clock Tower is a public landmark under the supervision of the Phuket Municipality, and technically there is no licensing process for using its image in commercial work.
Under normal circumstances, that makes filming very simple.
However, because this was a global advertising campaign, Pepsi’s legal team required a written confirmation from the Phuket municipality stating that the footage could be used in the campaign.
We were told by the municipality that no such permit or confirmation letter normally exists... as this is free to film public property...
Even offering to pay a location fee did not resolve the issue.
Municipal officials explained that they had no mechanism to classify or process such a payment within the administrative system.
This created an unusual situation:
Filming the location was fully allowed
The municipality had no permit to issue
Pepsi still required formal permit
Fee was "unacceptable"
Finding a Solution
With the campaign schedule approaching quickly, we worked with the municipality to identify a practical path forward.
After several discussions, a simple idea emerged.
Instead of paying a location fee, the production would make a donation to a municipal elderly care facility currently being constructed by Phuket City Municipality.
This approach allowed the municipality to formally acknowledge the production and provide the written confirmation required by Pepsi’s legal team.
At the same time, the contribution supported a meaningful public project for the local community.
Pepsi immediately supported the idea.
When Production Creates Unexpected Impact
The result was a rare win-win outcome.
The footage was successfully captured and delivered to the post-production team in London.
Pepsi’s Strawberry & Cream campaign launched as planned for Valentine’s Day.
And through a small administrative challenge, the production also ended up contributing to a municipal elderly care facility in Phuket.
Thailand is actually one of the easiest countries in the world to film in — but sometimes the challenge is not permits, it’s navigating how local institutions operate.That’s where having a local production partner becomes essential.
Happy to answer questions if anyone is planning a shoot in Thailand.
Special thanks to UNIT9 for getting us involved in the project.
Comments