Thailand has many cities that are in high demand for film and television producers seeking to capture cutting-edge content. Some of these cities are truly global and modern, such as Bangkok and Pattaya. Others are smaller and rustic and offer a more historical ambiance. Keep reading to explore the top cities to film in Thailand!
1. BANGKOK
Bangkok is the top city to film in Thailand for a variety of reasons. Once nicknamed the ‘Venice of the East’ due to its canal network, boats still frequent the mighty Chao Praya river. Even to this day, it is a central intersection of trade routes between China, South Asia, and beyond. It’s easy to see why Bangkok regularly welcomes more inbound visitors than any other city in the world.
Urban Landscape of Limitless Inspiration
Inbound visitors discover sights and sounds that bring to mind rich cultural heritage, mingled with rapid technological progress and innovation. Images of Bangkok’s unique skyline alone are worth a thousand words. The city displays glistening new skyscrapers that loom over ancient temples, bustling markets, and ornate royal palaces. All of these attractions translate well to screen, and Bangkok sizzles and pops with an immersive, atmospheric richness.
Scenes with Bangkok as the backdrop immerse audiences and viewers in a smorgasbord of colors, diverse characters, and acoustics. At every turn, this megacity reveals its secrets. Street food vendors ply their craft, barefoot monks chant blessings, and festive Thais laugh as they sip beer and whiskey on street corners.
Dreamlike Nighttime Imagery Once the lights dim in the early evening for a famous tropical sunset, Bangkok’s neon electric atmosphere only gets started. A world-class nightlife capital, the city is home to plush, modern super-clubs and discotheques, seedy dive bars and exotic cabarets. And when hunger strikes, world-renowned fine dining options feature every global cuisine imaginable. Few if any cities can offer filmmakers as much of a palette to work with as Bangkok can. The city’s versatility, richness, and history all bring it to the top of the list.
Scenes with Bangkok as the backdrop immerse audiences and viewers in a smorgasbord of colors, diverse characters, and acoustics. At every turn, this megacity reveals its secrets. Street food vendors ply their craft, barefoot monks chant blessings, and festive Thais laugh as they sip beer and whiskey on street corners.
Dreamlike Nighttime Imagery Once the lights dim in the early evening for a famous tropical sunset, Bangkok’s neon electric atmosphere only gets started. A world-class nightlife capital, the city is home to plush, modern super-clubs and discotheques, seedy dive bars and exotic cabarets. And when hunger strikes, world-renowned fine dining options feature every global cuisine imaginable. Few if any cities can offer filmmakers as much of a palette to work with as Bangkok can. The city’s versatility, richness, and history all bring it to the top of the list.
2. PATTAYA
Just 150 kilometers south of Bangkok and on the Gulf of Thailand lies the second-largest city in the country: Pattaya.
Just a small, humble fishing village in the 1950s, Pattaya was soon transformed into a destination for American soldiers. Soon after, red-light districts and go-go bars opened up to pour endless drinks, and the city gained a reputation.
Just a small, humble fishing village in the 1950s, Pattaya was soon transformed into a destination for American soldiers. Soon after, red-light districts and go-go bars opened up to pour endless drinks, and the city gained a reputation.
Beachfront Views and Aquatic Recreation
Lately, Pattaya’s notorious checkered past has begun to fade as the city transforms into an increasingly family-friendly destination. The city benefits from both convenient proximity to Bangkok as well as an international airport of its own. Daily traveler arrivals from all over the world make Pattaya their choice for convenience, economy, and recreation.
Modern, Colorful Scenery
Pattaya also boasts shopping malls, a beachfront boardwalk, a walking street closed off to vehicular traffic, and international restaurants. Numerous entertainment options are available nearby, including water sports, Muay Thai kickboxing arenas. Just a short boat ride from the busy and dense waterfront downtown area, sunbathers can easily escape to a secluded beach.
Pattaya is ripe with boundless potential. The city’s offerings are so vibrant that any filmmaker will be moved with flashes of inspiration for their next project. For demanding productions seeking an idyllic, urban beachfront landscape, Pattaya is a top city to film in Thailand.
Pattaya is ripe with boundless potential. The city’s offerings are so vibrant that any filmmaker will be moved with flashes of inspiration for their next project. For demanding productions seeking an idyllic, urban beachfront landscape, Pattaya is a top city to film in Thailand.
3. PHUKET
Sometimes only a beach isn’t enough – sometimes a film production needs an island. And that’s where mountainous, rain forest blanketed Phuket comes in. Sitting on the glittering Andaman Sea, Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and also has an international airport of its own, making access to it in the country’s south as easy as a quick trip from Bangkok or a direct flight from many cities outside the country.
Picturesque History Meets Natural Wonder
With dozens of beautiful beaches, rushing waterfalls, and an abundance of lodging options, Phuket is a prime film production destination. The island’s ethnically diverse hub of Phuket Town boasts Chinese shrines, historic Sino-Portuguese colonial architecture, heritage shophouses, and century-old mansions. Such cultural attractions make Phuket a complete package, especially when factoring in the area’s world-class diving sites and natural bounty.
Epic Sandstone Cliffs and Endless Summers
Within reach of Phuket are also the popular sandstone cliffs of Koh Phi Phi island and the legendary Andaman Island chain. Here, underwater photographers and videographers come from all over the map to capture jaw-dropping reef and sea life footage.
At the end of the day, after rinsing the sand off, Phuket boasts its own contribution to Thailand’s nightlife. With beachfront bars, poolside cantinas, and crowded clubs — the island rivals any other tropical destination. The only mistake that a traveler to Phuket Island can make is to forget to pack a camera.
At the end of the day, after rinsing the sand off, Phuket boasts its own contribution to Thailand’s nightlife. With beachfront bars, poolside cantinas, and crowded clubs — the island rivals any other tropical destination. The only mistake that a traveler to Phuket Island can make is to forget to pack a camera.
4. HUA HIN
If Pattaya is too busy, and Phuket isn’t near enough to Bangkok, then Hua Hin is an accessible filmmaking option. Blessed with pristine beaches and convenient proximity to central Thailand, the Thai royal family has vacationed here for over a century.
Relaxing Pace and Panoramic Beauty
During the day the city offers its own variety of leisure activities and aquatic recreation. Hua Hin offers thriving markets, savory cuisine, and seemingly endless seaside views that reach out over the gentle Thai Gulf. And while Hua Hin retains more of a downbeat and wholesome atmosphere when compared with Pattaya, it still features festive nightlife.
For a multitude of reasons, Hua Hin nears the top of any list of Thailand’s most in-demand film making destinations. This pearl of Siam is unbeatable for accessibility, convenience, and sun-drenched beach atmosphere.
For a multitude of reasons, Hua Hin nears the top of any list of Thailand’s most in-demand film making destinations. This pearl of Siam is unbeatable for accessibility, convenience, and sun-drenched beach atmosphere.
5. CHIANG MAI
Home to dozens of some of Thailand’s most elaborate Buddhist temples and abundant splendid mountain scenery, the northern city of Chiang Mai is a worthy mention to include in any list of Thai film production hotspots.
Cool Mountain Breezes and Authentic Culture
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Himalayas, Chiang Mai is often cooler in temperature than cities further south. This makes it a unique setting for any feature, commercial, or television series. Accessible by road, rail or air, the city is 700 kilometers from Bangkok and close to the border with Laos.
Within the Chang Mai’s proximity are humid rain forests and high altitude temperate woodlands and deep ravines with rushing Mekong River tributaries. Numerous cool mountain summits blessing breathless hikers with incredible 360-degree views. Chiang Mai’s also has an endless offering of cultural attractions. These include visits to hill tribes who have preserved their heritage, 30-plus awe-inspiring temples, and traditional elephant trekking. Discerning visitors can mingle with authentic fishing communities and a unique blend of both southern Thai and northern Lanna culture.
Within the Chang Mai’s proximity are humid rain forests and high altitude temperate woodlands and deep ravines with rushing Mekong River tributaries. Numerous cool mountain summits blessing breathless hikers with incredible 360-degree views. Chiang Mai’s also has an endless offering of cultural attractions. These include visits to hill tribes who have preserved their heritage, 30-plus awe-inspiring temples, and traditional elephant trekking. Discerning visitors can mingle with authentic fishing communities and a unique blend of both southern Thai and northern Lanna culture.
Old World and New
The third-largest city in Thailand and a thriving center of long-term ex-pats and digital nomads, Chiang Mai is no backwater. It is filled with choice dining, lodging, and nightlife options. Chiang Mai, in essence, is where the exotic, the historic, and the natural are perfectly mixed. It is truly an exceptional urban area that is sure to catch the eye of any professional cinematographer or filmmaker.
Contact our team with any questions regarding the process of obtaining a permit to film in any of these cities. Our professional fixers and line producers are ready to help bring your project to its fullest potential.
Contact our team with any questions regarding the process of obtaining a permit to film in any of these cities. Our professional fixers and line producers are ready to help bring your project to its fullest potential.