BANGKOK Plans to build a major film production complex are afoot in the Thai capital, which could see Bangkok emerge as Southeast Asia's Hollywood, government officials said Tuesday.

The Industrial Estate Commission (IEC) is considering a feasibility study for a proposal to build a massive "film industry zone" aimed at boosting Thai and international movie-making, Deputy Industry Minister Pichet Sathirachaval said.

"The idea is very good because the zone will keep the film environment fresh here," Pichet told AFP.

"It will draw more Thai and Hollywood producers, and it will bring more revenues to the country," he said.

The feasibility study could be approved "within the next one or two months," he added.

Pichet said the zone being considered for the outskirts of the city would be "similar to Universal Studios" in the film-making center of Hollywood.

Thai entertainment giant Kantana Group would help develop the self-contained facility, which would include studios and other production facilities for costuming and editing, as well as equipment leasing, he said.

It would also incorporate a theme-park element to attract tourists, Pichet said, adding that costs of the massive project had yet to be tabled.

The government was prepared to offer tax exemptions and other benefits in its bid to support the project, he said.

Thailand made record-breaking returns from foreign film shoots here last year with 59 feature films, 192 documentaries and 184 commercial advertisements that generated revenue of 1.27 billion baht ($28.3m), according to the National Film Office.

Most big-budget films shot here are produced and edited outside the country.

IEC governor Anchalee Chavanit told the ***Nation*** newspaper Tuesday that the commission in the past had invited Universal Studios to set up a studio in Thailand but the invitation was declined.