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Thailand on the Silver Screen: 14 Iconic Movies Filmed in the Land of Smiles

| Last Updated: December 2024

To be honest, I never had the urge to visit a place I saw in a movie because I know most of them just look a lot better on camera. But after I saw Changeland with a friend years ago, we had to check out Phi Phi Islands and Phuket. 

Maybe the breathtaking shot of Hong Island’s sea cave and hidden lagoon caught our attention. Or perhaps the inner photographer in me triggered the itch to re-create the film’s postcard-perfect shots.

Well, one thing’s certain: the movie’s stunning visuals and the locations are worth a shot! Here’s more: in this guide, we’re happy to share our list of the best movies filmed in Thailand you must see at least once—or miss half of your lifetime. Read on!

Iconic Movies Filmed in Thailand

The Beach (2000)

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The Beach is arguably one of the more iconic movies filmed in Thailand. It’s about Leonardo Di Caprio’s character Richard who traveled to Bangkok and later led to a beautiful uninhabited island in the Gulf of Thailand with a stunning secret beach.

The beach is Koh Phi Phi Le’s Maya Bay which boasts crystal-clear waters, pristine white sands, lush greenery, and limestone formations. Just know it wasn’t an accurate depiction since the filmmakers digitally added parts of the mountain in post-production.

Since the film’s release, Maya Bay and Phi Phi Islands have become popular island destinations in Thailand. The government has to close the island down temporarily to prevent environmental damage caused by the sudden influx of tourists.

Pro Tip: 

You can stay in the room Leonardo Di Caprio stayed in during the movie which is in Phuket’s Memory at On On Hotel. Just know that it’s now a modernized boutique hotel so its interiors don’t fully resemble the backpacker hostel depicted in the movie.

However, they preserved the likeness of Di Caprio’s room so it closely resembles the one on film. It’s a junior suite in Room 204 aptly called “The Beach.”

Hangover II (2011)

This Hangover sequel is a well-known movie filmed in Thailand. It’s about the wild and funny adventures of Doug, Phil, and Alan who’re traveling to Thailand for their friend Stu’s wedding where they get caught in all sorts of trouble after a night drinking beer.

The story takes them to many places like the Lebua Hotel at State Tower, Chinatown Bangkok, The Ancient City, and Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve. It also shows the country’s traditional and modern elements, from cultural attractions to busy city streets. 

Many scenes in Hangover II also show a darker side of Bangkok. Most of them are about the city’s infamous nightlife, from raunchy gay bars to open-air beer stalls, ladyboy strippers, and more.

Pro Tip: 

There’s a special nightlife tour in Bangkok called the Hangover Tour and it starts at Soi Cowboy. It’s the famous red-light district the film’s main characters went to when they got drunk.

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

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The Man with the Golden Gun is one of the weaker James Bond titles but it’s definitely among the most popular movies filmed in Thailand. It follows Agent 007 who finds himself in pursuit of the hitman Francisco Scaramanga in Phang Nga, Thailand.

Most of its scenes were filmed in different locations across the country like Bangkok, Phuket, Thonburi, and Phang Nga. However, the movie mostly increased tourism on the stunning Phang Nga islands it featured: Koh Khao Ping Kan and Koh Tapu. 

Koh Tapu, in particular, became a popular island-hopping destination because it was the location for the movie’s iconic duel scene. It’s also why the island is more commonly known today as James Bond Island to tourists and locals. 

Pro Tip: 

If you want to recreate the movie’s duel scene when you visit James Bond Island, we recommend booking your tour with Klook. They provide a replica of the golden gun so you can strike your best pistol pose while taking photos there.

Rambo (2008)

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Aside from being an iconic film in its own right, the fourth Rambo is also a well-known movie filmed in Thailand. In this war action film, we follow the titular character’s life in Mae Sot as a snake hunter, then foreign missionaries ask him to take them to Burma.

The movie’s opening scene shows Rambo catching cobras with two other local men which they do using wooden sticks and their bare hands. On their way home, he’s  also seen bow fishing on their boat which is a traditional Thai fishing method.

They also pass by some monks on a boat so they share their catch, which shows an important part of Thailand’s Buddhist tradition. 

A traditional snake show was also featured, where a young man plays with king cobras for foreign and local audiences.

Pro Tip: 

If you want to see the snake show featured in the movie, you must head to Mae Sa Snake Farm in Chiang Mai. In the film, Rambo is supposed to be in Mae Sot which borders Burma but their scenes are actually filmed in Chiang Mai Province.

Only God Forgives (2013)

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Only God Forgives is a divisive action movie set in Bangkok. It features a much darker side of the capital city, where the American brothers Billy and Julian own a Muay Thai gym that they use as a front for their drug-dealing business.

The movie also shows many locations in Bangkok like the Rangsit Boxing Stadium which was used as a stand-in for Julian and Billy’s boxing gym. Other scenes were also shot at the Emporium Suites by Chatrium, Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza, Patpong, and more. 

In fact, the film’s cinematographer said they shot most of the movie at night because their locations were mostly gay clubs, nightclubs, and bars.

Pro Tip: 

If you’re wondering about the room Billy and Julian’s mother Crystal booked in the movie, it’s Emporium Suites’ luxurious 550-square-meter penthouse.

Kickboxer (1989)

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Jean Claude Van Damme’s Kickboxer is a classic martial arts movie filmed in Thailand. It’s not an acting masterpiece but it’s definitely one of the more iconic action movies of its time with plenty of action-packed scenes.

There’s even a cheesy montage (in true 80’s fashion) where the main character Kurt is shown training in the temple ruins of Ayutthaya Historical Park. The movie also featured the giant reclining Buddha in Wat Pho and Sanam Luang Park in The Grand Palace. 

Just know that some of the training methods used in the movie are exaggerated, like dropping a coconut fruit on Kurt’s stomach from a tall tree. However, it’s still widely praised and recognized as the first Hollywood movie to introduce Muay Thai globally.

Pro Tip: 

If you want to recreate Jean-Claude Van Damme’s training montage in Ayutthaya Historical Park, you must check out the ruins of Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Ratchaburana.

Bangkok Dangerous (2008)

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Bangkok Dangerous is an underrated Nicolas Cage flick but it’s certainly one of the more iconic movies filmed in Thailand. This action is also aptly named because it’s set in the chaotic Bangkok City and its criminal underworld.

In this movie, a lot of the capital city’s darker sides are shown—sides which people don’t usually hear about in mainstream media. This includes sex trafficking, child prostitution, gang wars, impoverished families, and more.

It’s actually why the popular red-light district Soi Cowboy was one of the movie’s main shooting locations. They also shot many scenes in other places across Thailand, including the popular Thao Kham Luang Cave in Phetchaburi.

Pro Tip: 

Bangkok Dangerous (2008) is a Hollywood remake of the award-winning 1999 Thai film of the same name. This version has a lower approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes so it might not be the best option unless you prefer to watch it in English.

The Railway Man (2013)

The Railway Man is a beloved war film. The movie was filmed in Thailand because it’s based on a 1995 autobiography of Eric Lomax which tells the story of his time as a prisoner of war in the country during World War 2 under the brutal Japanese army.

During his imprisonment, he and thousands of other Allied soldiers were forced to build the Thai-Burma Death Railway in Kanchanaburi Province. It also showed them enduring harsh torture methods like waterboarding, beatings, food deprivation, and more.

The movie also showed how POWs deal with the war’s lifelong effects which main actor Colin Firth says “is not often addressed.”

Pro Tip: 

For people who want to learn more about the Thai-Burma Death Railway, we recommend visiting the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre in Kanchanaburi. This museum has a memorial and exhibits with photos of prisoners and their stories.

The Impossible (2012)

The Impossible is a disaster drama based on a true story. It follows the story of a British family vacationing in a Khao Lak beach resort when a devastating Indian Ocean tsunami floods the area on December 26, 2004.

This tsunami is considered the greatest modern natural disaster in history so it’s one of the more memorable movies filmed in Thailand, especially for the locals.

Most of the movie’s scenes are filmed in Khao Lak Orchid Beach Resort and Takua Pa Hospital. On the other hand, the tsunami scenes were filmed in Spain because they only used slow-motion captures in a water tank and digital effects. 

However, it’s worth noting that the film received a lot of criticism for its main focus on the tourists’ point of view.

Pro Tip: 

The story is limited to the experience of the Spanish family depicted in the movie, so we recommend visiting the International Tsunami Museum in Khuekkhak for more detailed information about the disaster’s effect on the locals.

There, you can read first-hand accounts of local survivors, along with actual TV footage of the tsunami.

Changeland (2019)

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Changeland is a heartwarming comedy-drama movie filmed in Thailand. It tells the story of Brandon who was supposed to travel with his wife but instead invites his dear friend Dan on this last-minute trip as her stand-in. 

Their trip takes them to beautiful places in Thailand, from Phuket to Panak Island, Phang Nga Bay, Hong Island, and more. 

Actually, the movie was shot on many iconic attractions in the country so it almost feels like a travel advertisement. 

The most notable tourist hotspots they filmed include James Bond Island, Maya Bay, Hidden Beach, Monkey Beach, etc. It also shows the couple trying various activities, from kayaking to cliff diving, beach partying, Muay Thai boxing, and more.

Pro Tip: 

Changeland Director and main actor Seth Green admits that he wanted to feature the places he went to and activities he did on his previous Thai trip. 

The lackluster drama and focus on the destinations make it a great choice for newbie travelers to Thailand.

Other Notable Movies Filmed in Thailand

Lost in Thailand (2012)

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Lost in Thailand was a massive movie success, becoming the highest-grossing Chinese film by 2013. 

This slapstick comedy movie is filmed in Thailand and follows the story of Xu Lang who’s trying to track Mr. Zhou to ask for further funds for his research. There, he is followed by his partner who wants to sell his research. 

He also met a fellow tourist traveling to Thailand to fulfill his bucket list which includes fighting a Muay Thai master, planting a cactus, and more.

Pro Tip: 

Most of the movie was filmed in Chiang Mai locations like Wat Warorot and Chiang Mai University. However, they also shot several scenes in Bangkok and the movie’s overnight success single-handedly increased Chinese tourism in the country.

Mother of the Bride (2024)

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Mother of the Bride is a recent film set in Thailand. This movie is about Emma’s mother Lana who is surprised to hear about her daughter’s upcoming plans: running her own business and holding a Phuket wedding in a month.

There, Lana discovers that Emma’s soon-to-be husband RJ is the son of Will who ghosted her in the past which she doesn’t want her daughter to experience as well. The cheesy romcom features two of Phuket’s swanky Anantara beach resorts.

It also shows the resorts’ pristine private beaches, full-service spas, yoga studios, and private pool villas so it definitely feels like a promotional ad as well.

Pro Tip: 

The film has a scene where Lana and the guys from Stanford are reprimanded for skinny-dipping on a secluded island within their private resort’s territory. 

Keep in mind that Thailand is a conservative country, so you must avoid doing the same in case you plan to visit the country as well.

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

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Tomorrow Never Dies sees the return of the charming MI6 agent James Bond to Bangkok. Only this time, the Thai capital is supposed to be a stand-in for the Vietnamese capital Saigon due to on-site filming negotiations failing.

There, they used the Sinn Sathorn Tower in Krung Thonburi Road as the location for the movie’s iconic building-jumping scene. 

Many popular spots in Bangkok were also used as filming locations. These include Charoenkrung, Tha Din Daeng, Chang Nak Alley, Wat Saket, and more. Moreover, they returned to Phang Nga Bay to shoot the movie’s climax.

Pro Tip: 

The Sinn Sathorn Tower is an office building, so tourists can’t visit it just to check out or re-enact the jumping scene in the movie.

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)

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Though Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason received a polarizing reception, it’s still one of the most notable movies filmed in Thailand.

This film features many iconic locations in the country, including Chinatown Bangkok, Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, Soi Cowboy, Koh Panyee, and more. 

Another interesting scene was when Bridget Jones was also caught possessing drugs while in Phuket International Airport. This scene, in particular, gave audiences a look at the harsh reality of Thai prisons: cramped, overcrowded, and unsanitary.

Pro Tip: 

The prison scene is a realistic depiction of Thailand’s strict drug laws so we suggest taking it to heart and avoiding traveling with friends who will get you in the same trouble as Bridget Jones. 

In fact, getting caught with cocaine can get you 3 to 20 years in a Thai prison or 60,000 to 5,000,000 baht in fines based on the quantity.

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