Thailand has long been a top destination for international film productions, offering a wide range of locations nationwide. From beaches, islands, pine forests, urban skylines, markets, and Italian-style villas, Thailand provides versatile backdrops for TV series and feature films.
The country offers competitive film incentives, including tax rebates up to 30%, helping foreign productions reduce costs and maximize their budgets. Furthermore, Thailand provides skilled crew assisting foreign productions with location scouting and acquiring necessary filming and location permits. English-speaking crews are ready to help your film production from start to finish.
Below are some of the most popular movies shot in Thailand.
1. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024)
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies became one of 2024’s moving films of the year. The film was shot in Talat Phlu, a quiet, tight-knit Thai-Chinese neighborhood in Thonburi, on the west side of the Chao Phraya River. The Talat Phlu railway station was also shot in the film. Life in this area runs at a slower pace than in central Bangkok. With roots dating back to the mid-1700s, the neighborhood is home to a diverse mix of cultures and communities.
2. The Creator (2023)
The sci-fi film The Creator was filmed extensively across Thailand, spanning over 60 locations in 16 provinces between January and May 2022. Key provinces included Bangkok, Phang Nga, Krabi, Ubon Ratchathani, Phitsanulok, and Kanchanaburi. Specific filming sites ranged from Ban Mung and Sangkhla Buri to Chiang Dao, Sam Phan Bok (Thailand’s Grand Canyon), Ao Phang Nga National Park, Ao Nang, and Samet Nangshe.
Director Gareth Edwards took a hands-on approach, personally scouting many of the locations. He sought out areas with advanced infrastructure and even secured access to a facility housing a particle accelerator. Edwards used real-world settings as the foundation for the film’s visuals, enhancing them with visual effects in post-production. This grounded approach not only added realism but also kept the production efficient and cost-effective.
3. The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)
Thailand has often been chosen as the destination to represent Vietnam in Hollywood films. The production was filmed in several Thai locations, including Bangkok, Chiang Dao (Chiang Mai), Ratchaburi, and Hua Hin.
Bangkok doubled as urban Vietnam, while Chiang Dao represented the rural outskirts surrounding Bangkok in the film. Ratchaburi was used to depict war-affected areas, and Hua Hin Airport stood in for Danang Airport, adding to the film’s realistic portrayal of wartime logistics.
4. F9: The Fast Saga (2021)
Filmed in Krabi and its surrounding areas, the ninth installment of the Fast and Furious franchise continues the series’ tradition of high-octane action. Krabi province was featured prominently, showcasing coastal landscapes and dramatic limestone cliffs used as a backdrop for many key scenes. Additional locations included Phang Nga province, known for its emerald waters and striking limestone formations, as well as Koh Panyi, a floating village. The production also visited Koh Hong, a well-known southern island recognized for its towering rock formations and its status as a protected national park reserve.
5. No Escape (2015)
In No Escape, Chiang Mai and Lampang provinces in Thailand were used to portray a fictional Southeast Asian country in crisis. Although filmed in Thailand, the filmmakers deliberately kept the setting ambiguous through strategic camera angles to avoid identifying the country. The Imperial Mae Ping Hotel—now the InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping—served as a key location in the film, acting as the protagonist’s main refuge during the violent uprising.
6. Only God Forgives (2013)
Only God Forgives was filmed entirely in Bangkok, Thailand, using real locations across the city to create its dark, tense atmosphere. Scenes were shot in Yaowarat (Chinatown), the Ratchada Muay Thai boxing stadium, and various restaurants, nightclubs, and alleys. The filmmakers avoided tourist areas and focused on everyday parts of the city, including abandoned buildings and narrow streets. These locations gave the film a grounded, raw look that matched its violent and minimal style. Additionally, studio sets were constructed to film hotel interiors and other key indoor scenes.
7. The Railway Man (2013)
The Railway Man was filmed in Kanchanaburi, a historic province that gained prominence during World War II. Key locations in the film included the Bridge on the River Kwai, Death Railway, Hellfire Pass, Wang Phot Viaduct, and Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi, all chosen for their historical significance and accuracy.
Additionally, you can visit the River Kwai Bridge during River Kwai Bridge Week, held from late November to early December. This annual event commemorates the Allied POWs who built the Death Railway. It features light and sound shows, cultural performances, historical exhibitions, and memorial ceremonies at the Allied War Cemetery.
8. The Impossible (2012)
The Impossible was filmed in various locations across Thailand to authentically depict the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and its aftermath. Key filming sites included Khao Lak in Phang Nga Province—one of the areas hardest hit by the tsunami—as well as Phuket. To simulate the tsunami, a large outdoor tank was built at a studio in Bangkok, where practical effects were used to recreate the waves. On-site locations also included Takua Pa Hospital, and some resort scenes were shot at real coastal locations, adding to the film’s authenticity.
9. The Hangover Part 2 (2011)
One of the most notable films shot in Thailand is The Hangover Part 2, starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis. Filming locations in Bangkok included the Sirocco Restaurant at the Lebua Hotel, Yaowarat Road, BTS Saphan Taksin, Chao Phraya River, and various sois and alleys around Bang Rak.
In Krabi, the production crew selected Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, for the wedding scene, along with several stunning coastal locations around Krabi for scenic travel sequences.
10. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)
Trouble is never far from Bridget. In Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Bridget heads to Thailand, where she encounters a series of hilarious misadventures. In Bangkok, the film was shot at Khao San Road, Pak Klong Talad (Flower Market), and the infamous Soi Cowboy. Khao San Road was used to showcase the bustling backpacker culture, local markets, and the vibrant food and souvenir stalls that Bridget explores.
In Phuket, the film features Nai Yang Beach, Promthep Cape, and local markets, capturing Bridget’s travels outside the city.
11. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Phang Nga Bay was chosen for its stunning limestone karsts rising from emerald waters, which served as background plate shots to represent the planet Kashyyyk, home of the Wookiees in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. The area’s natural beauty was digitally enhanced with CGI to transform it into an alien world. However, no actors were present in Thailand, as these shots were solely for environmental footage.
12. The Beach (2000)
The Beach paved the way for future productions in Thailand. Shot at Maya Bay, the location’s crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and dramatic cliffs continue to attract millions of tourists each year. Additional scenes were filmed at Hat Noppharat Thara within Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park, with further waterfall and jungle sequences shot on Koh Phi Phi and nearby islands.
In Old Phuket Town, the On On Hotel (now The Onion Hostel) was used as Richard’s (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) accommodation. While set in Bangkok in the film, this historic hotel is located in Phuket.
In Bangkok, Khao San Road is featured at the beginning of the movie, capturing the bustling atmosphere of the popular backpacker hub.
13. Operation Dumbo Drop (1995)
The war-comedy film was filmed extensively in Thailand, chosen for its dense, lush jungles that portrayed Vietnam in the 1960s. Key filming locations in Thailand include Chiang Mai, where the region’s jungle and rural areas were used to recreate the Vietnamese countryside. Kanchanaburi provided its historical infrastructure and landscapes, contributing to the war-era atmosphere, particularly with the Death Railway and Bridge on the River Kwai. Additionally, rural communities in northern Thailand served as stand-ins for Vietnamese villages in the film.
14. Mortal Kombat (1995)
Primarily shot in Thailand for its vast landscapes and exotic locations, Mortal Kombat used the country’s stunning scenery to depict Outworld. Key filming locations include Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya, used for Outworld’s temples, creating a mystical and otherworldly atmosphere. Railey Beach served as Shang Tsung’s island–the setting for the tournament, with its prominent limestone cliffs adding an intimidating feel. The team captured striking shots of Phang Nga Bay’s limestone cliffs for a cinematic showdown.
Additional scenes were filmed in rural jungle locations and temple ruins, which helped represent various locations within the Mortal Kombat universe.
15. Casualties of War (1989)
Another Hollywood war movie chose Kanchanaburi as an ideal filming location, using its tense jungles and rugged landscapes to depict the Vietnam War. The Death Railway area played a key role in the film, adding historical authenticity to the setting. Hellfire Pass, with its harsh, rugged terrain, along with nearby locations, portrayed the harrowing environments soldiers faced.
Sai Yok National Park was used for jungle scenes, where soldiers are seen setting up camp, further immersing the audience in the difficult conditions of war.
16. Kickboxer (1989)
The martial arts film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme was filmed at several key locations in Thailand. Rural villages played an important role, showcasing local culture and adding a sense of authenticity to the film. Bangkok, especially in the late 1980s, served as a gritty urban backdrop with its chaotic roadways and dark, looming buildings. Phuket was used for the film’s key fighting sequences, highlighting its stunning beaches and dramatic landscapes. Khao Yai National Park was featured in the protagonist’s training scenes, providing a lush, natural setting for his physical and mental preparation.
17. Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)
Good Morning, Vietnam, starring Robin Williams, was partially filmed in Thailand, which stood in for Vietnam. Producers chose Thailand due to its similar landscapes and, more importantly, its more lenient filming environment at the time.
Key filming locations included Bangkok, where many of the city’s urban streets and architecture doubled for Saigon. Outside the city, the crew filmed in more rural and undeveloped areas around Bangkok to replicate the Vietnamese countryside. Additional scenes were shot at Bangkok’s military facilities, with Thai army bases providing the necessary props and a controlled environment for the film’s military sequences.
18. The Killing Fields (1984)
The Killing Fields was primarily filmed in Thailand due to Cambodia’s political instability and turmoil. Locations such as Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chonburi Province, and Pathum Thani Province stood in for various Cambodian cities and regions.
Bangkok was used for urban scenes, doubling as Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital. Ayutthaya, with its grand ruins, visually represented the Khmer Rouge takeover through its scattered historic structures. To depict the Cambodian countryside and border areas, the production was filmed in Chonburi Province. At Lam Luk Ka in Pathum Thani, the crew recreated Cambodian villages and refugee camps to establish an authentic atmosphere.
19. The Deer Hunter (1978)
The Deer Hunter was partially filmed in Thailand to represent Vietnam and Laos. Bangkok was used for urban scenes, standing in for Saigon with its busy streets and older buildings. Jungle and POW camp scenes were filmed in Kanchanaburi Province, specifically around the River Kwai and Sai Yok areas. These locations offered the dense forests and remote landscapes needed for the film’s war sequences.
20. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
The Man with the Golden Gun, a James Bond film, featured several iconic locations in Thailand. The most famous of these is Phang Nga Bay, where Khao Phing Kan and the distinctive Koh Tapu (James Bond Island) were used as the backdrop for Scaramanga’s island hideout. These limestone islets became synonymous with the film and are now a major tourist attraction.
Additional filming took place in Bangkok, where the city’s canals were used for a high-speed boat chase, and Muang Boran (Ancient City) in Samut Prakan, which provided a traditional Thai setting. The film used Ratchadamnoen Avenue for an exciting car chase scene, showcasing the city’s streets and chaotic energy. These locations helped to highlight Thailand’s natural beauty and vibrant urban scenes, cementing its place in the global spotlight after the film’s release.
Over the years, Thailand has become a popular destination for international productions, attracting filmmakers with its stunning cities, diverse landscapes, and unique scenery. Each region offers a wide range of breathtaking backdrops, perfect for any type of film. Additionally, local production crews and companies are fully equipped to assist with securing permits and facilitating filming at these extraordinary locations. Let us help you maximize your budget further.
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