Thailand is anticipating revenues of $30.4m from foreign films shot in the country during 2002, according to local film industry promotion body director ML Sithichai Chaiyan.

"Thai Film Board's regulation changes in foreign filming permits have brought an increasing number of foreign films to the country," he said in a statement, adding that 2002 revenues should exceed those of 2001.

In 2001 Thailand received some $30m (baht 1.28bn) in gross revenues from foreign films shot in the territory.

At the end of 2001, the Thai Film Board dramatically reduced the approval period for feature film permits to between seven and 14 working days.

At the same time, taxes on foreign actors were slashed from a sliding scale of between 6% and 37%, to a current maximum of 10%