Shooting a film in Thailand isn't simple: first you need to apply to the Ministry of Culture and submit a script that meets certain ministerial criteria.
Sometimes political turns in a script don't sit well with the ministry, and Hollywood productions shift to other corners of Southeast Asia instead — but in most cases, as long as a film's plot doesn't run afoul of Thai law, doesn't offend religious sensibilities, doesn't violate public morals, and so on, filming is approved, and plenty of our favorite films about paradise coastlines are remembered specifically for their Thai scenery.
Phuket often draws filmmakers with its views and its equal distance from equally picturesque locations. So the clapperboard hasn't sounded here quite as often as on the neighboring islands — even so, we've put together a top ten films whose locations, if you're on Phuket, you can reach and return from within a single day.
"The Man with the Golden Gun," dir. Guy Hamilton (UK), 1974
In the ninth entry, Agent 007 receives a kind of black-spot warning, and against his superiors' advice to lie low, Roger Moore heads straight for his would-be assassin, played by Christopher Lee (does the name Sauron ring a bell?), on Tapu Island in Phang Nga Bay — known since 1974 as James Bond Island.
"Good Morning, Vietnam," dir. Barry Levinson (USA), 1987
Thailand stands in for Vietnam in this American war drama starring Robin Williams. The "Saigon" city scenes were handled by Bangkok, but the rural Vietnamese locations were filmed in Phuket, since some forty years ago the area was all rice paddies and rubber plantations.
"Heaven & Earth," dir. Oliver Stone (USA), 1993
Not Stone's most talked-about Vietnam film. With a $33 million budget, it flopped hard. Still, the story of an American soldier (Tommy Lee Jones) and a Vietnamese woman (Hiep Thi Le) will move any tourist who's spent time in Phuket. The heroine's home interiors were shot at Baan Chinpracha — a Sino-colonial mansion on 98 Krabi Road in Phuket's Old Town. The house is considered one of the island's architectural landmarks and is open to visitors.
"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," dir. Sharon Maguire (USA), 2004
Overall the sequel to the cult romantic comedy isn't set in the Kingdom, but a few scenes were shot in Phuket, specifically around Nai Yang Beach.
"Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith," dir. George Lucas (USA), 2005
It was right here, in Phang Nga Bay — following in James Bond's footsteps some 40 years later — that post-production shoots for Star Wars took place. The footage was used for scenes of arrival on the Wookiee homeworld, Kashyyyk.
"The Impossible," dir. Juan Antonio Bayona (Spain), 2012
A disaster film based on the tragic reality of late 2004, starring Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts. Filming took place in Khao Lak (108 km north of Phuket), the area hit hardest by the tsunami. Right there, near Bang Niang, next to a naval ship washed ashore, sits the Tsunami Museum. The film premiered in Thailand.
"Mechanic: Resurrection," dir. Dennis Gansel, 2016
The Jason Statham action franchise continues, with Jessica Alba, on Koh Lipe. You can, of course, make it back to Phuket in a single day if you have your own plane — but budgeting a boat trip to spend a night on Koh Lipe is well worth it, and worth planning for.
"Changeland," dir. Seth Green (USA), 2019
In this comedy from the creator of the cult animated series "Robot Chicken," you'll recognize at least Macaulay Culkin (Home Alone), along with other now-grown American teen stars. The story takes place across Thailand generally, but on Phuket the main characters stay at The Slate hotel.
"Paradise Beach," dir. Xavier Durringer (France), 2019
A crime drama. A pair of reformed robbers couldn't find a better place than Phuket to start a new life. And everything seems set to go well for them — until their old accomplice is suddenly released, wanting his cut. Fittingly, the film takes its name from the real Paradise Beach, 8 minutes from Patong.
"Meg 2: The Trench," dir. Ben Wheatley (USA), 2023
Jason Statham again, in another sequel. A giant mutant shark once more stirs up trouble in warm resort waters. Try spotting familiar beaches in the background — the blockbuster was filmed in Phuket, with the team from 5 Star Marine Phuket handling marine safety on set.
Sometimes political turns in a script don't sit well with the ministry, and Hollywood productions shift to other corners of Southeast Asia instead — but in most cases, as long as a film's plot doesn't run afoul of Thai law, doesn't offend religious sensibilities, doesn't violate public morals, and so on, filming is approved, and plenty of our favorite films about paradise coastlines are remembered specifically for their Thai scenery.
Phuket often draws filmmakers with its views and its equal distance from equally picturesque locations. So the clapperboard hasn't sounded here quite as often as on the neighboring islands — even so, we've put together a top ten films whose locations, if you're on Phuket, you can reach and return from within a single day.
"The Man with the Golden Gun," dir. Guy Hamilton (UK), 1974
In the ninth entry, Agent 007 receives a kind of black-spot warning, and against his superiors' advice to lie low, Roger Moore heads straight for his would-be assassin, played by Christopher Lee (does the name Sauron ring a bell?), on Tapu Island in Phang Nga Bay — known since 1974 as James Bond Island.
"Good Morning, Vietnam," dir. Barry Levinson (USA), 1987
Thailand stands in for Vietnam in this American war drama starring Robin Williams. The "Saigon" city scenes were handled by Bangkok, but the rural Vietnamese locations were filmed in Phuket, since some forty years ago the area was all rice paddies and rubber plantations.
"Heaven & Earth," dir. Oliver Stone (USA), 1993
Not Stone's most talked-about Vietnam film. With a $33 million budget, it flopped hard. Still, the story of an American soldier (Tommy Lee Jones) and a Vietnamese woman (Hiep Thi Le) will move any tourist who's spent time in Phuket. The heroine's home interiors were shot at Baan Chinpracha — a Sino-colonial mansion on 98 Krabi Road in Phuket's Old Town. The house is considered one of the island's architectural landmarks and is open to visitors.
"Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," dir. Sharon Maguire (USA), 2004
Overall the sequel to the cult romantic comedy isn't set in the Kingdom, but a few scenes were shot in Phuket, specifically around Nai Yang Beach.
"Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith," dir. George Lucas (USA), 2005
It was right here, in Phang Nga Bay — following in James Bond's footsteps some 40 years later — that post-production shoots for Star Wars took place. The footage was used for scenes of arrival on the Wookiee homeworld, Kashyyyk.
"The Impossible," dir. Juan Antonio Bayona (Spain), 2012
A disaster film based on the tragic reality of late 2004, starring Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts. Filming took place in Khao Lak (108 km north of Phuket), the area hit hardest by the tsunami. Right there, near Bang Niang, next to a naval ship washed ashore, sits the Tsunami Museum. The film premiered in Thailand.
"Mechanic: Resurrection," dir. Dennis Gansel, 2016
The Jason Statham action franchise continues, with Jessica Alba, on Koh Lipe. You can, of course, make it back to Phuket in a single day if you have your own plane — but budgeting a boat trip to spend a night on Koh Lipe is well worth it, and worth planning for.
"Changeland," dir. Seth Green (USA), 2019
In this comedy from the creator of the cult animated series "Robot Chicken," you'll recognize at least Macaulay Culkin (Home Alone), along with other now-grown American teen stars. The story takes place across Thailand generally, but on Phuket the main characters stay at The Slate hotel.
"Paradise Beach," dir. Xavier Durringer (France), 2019
A crime drama. A pair of reformed robbers couldn't find a better place than Phuket to start a new life. And everything seems set to go well for them — until their old accomplice is suddenly released, wanting his cut. Fittingly, the film takes its name from the real Paradise Beach, 8 minutes from Patong.
"Meg 2: The Trench," dir. Ben Wheatley (USA), 2023
Jason Statham again, in another sequel. A giant mutant shark once more stirs up trouble in warm resort waters. Try spotting familiar beaches in the background — the blockbuster was filmed in Phuket, with the team from 5 Star Marine Phuket handling marine safety on set.