Best Beaches for Film Production in Thailand

Making a movie comes with a lot of challenges, from the moment the script is picked up by a studio until the final cut is made, film crews constantly face obstacles. However, what if there was a way to make searching for a place to shoot your movie easy, filled with tax rebates and hassle-free. Thailand is the perfect location to make your production go as smoothly as possible, the country offers multiple scenic elements that make it easy for crews to shoot their required scenes, and on top of that it comes with an attractive tax rebate program provided by the government. This article will focus on the beaches in Thailand, which has hosted many blockbusters like Leonardo Dicaprio’s The Beach and the latest season of White Lotus that is prominently being filmed in Koh Samui.

Maya Bay and Khuk Khak Beach - Phang Nga

Phang Nga has many beach locations and islands to pick from. Whether its Hat Thai Mueang, Maya Bay in the Phi Phi islands or Khuk Khak Beach. The green surroundings, golden sand, and clear water make the beach an excellent spot for the shooting of various shots. Blockbusters like Danny Boyle’s The Beach and The Impossible, based on Thailand’s 2004 tsunami disaster, were both filmed in Maya Bay and Khuk Khak Beach. From relaxed strolls along the beach to high-octane action scenes like those seen by Ewan McGregor in The Impossible are perfect examples. Additionally, the location is also good for nature documentaries, romances, or action movies.

Mai Khao Beach - Phuket

Stretching 11 kilometers in length, Phuket’s Mai Khao Beach is among the famous beaches in Phuket and one of the locations for the latest season of the hit TV series, White Lotus. Additionally, Phuket also features more beaches and islands like Khao Phing Kan, also known as James Bond island, where the famous James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun was shot. The expansive beaches are particularly suitable for extensive movie shoots, including historical drama, adventure drama, and grand films.

Phra Nang Beach and Ao Nang Beach - Krabi

One of Thailand’s most beautiful natural attractions, Krabi, houses some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. From the famous Talay Waek, to Ao Nang beach and Phra Nang Beach, Krabi offers production crews a variety of options for their perfect scene. The fleeting change of landscape mixed with makes it a great location to film fantasy or action films. For example, the 1995 adventure-fantasy Cutthroat Island was filmed in Phra Nang Beach in Krabi. The cinematic beaches and the island as a whole merge to create an other-worldly environment perfect for film classics requiring a surreal or dreamlike atmosphere. These criterias were a perfect fit for the latest Jurassic Park film, to be released later this year, with scenes shot in Krabi.

Bophut Beach and Choeng Mon Beach - Koh Samui

Koh Samui has long been a favoured tourist destination in Thailand, the islands offers everything from beautiful beaches, city life and nightlife. But apart from being a popular destination for vacations, the island is also known for having hosted some of your favorite films from around the world. Bophut Beach, located in Koh Samui, was featured in the latest season of White Lotus among other scenes Choeng Mon Beach was also seen in the hit TV series. Additionally, the hit Bollywood movie Student of the Year was shot in Koh Samui, making it a popular destination among various different productions around the world.

Hua Hin Beach

Another destination that is popular among both locals and foreign tourists in Thailand is Hua Hin. Located in the Prachuap Khiri Khan province, this popular destination has welcomed a few film crews to work on their projects. A popular production that was filmed here was The Killing Fields, shot prominently at the Railway Hotel, one of Hua Hin’s first ever beach resorts. More recently, some scenes from the 2022 film The Greatest Beer Run Ever were also shot in Hua Hin.