Thailand’s Best Historical Sites for Film Productions
Filmmakers have long considered Thailand a favorite location. It is precisely because of its rich geographical variety, diversified textures of history, and breathtakingly stunning architecture. Surrounded by beaches and cityscapes, Thailand’s historic structures provide such unique locations ideal for period pieces, adventure stories, and war epics. From ancient ruins to wartime hideouts, Thailand’s historical sites present an authentic stage for international film productions alike. Here are a few top locations:
Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Ratchaburana - Ayutthaya
The wide ruins of the old Ayutthaya Kingdom, sprinkled with tall stupas and intricate temple forms, reflect a mix of Khmer, Sukhothai, and Sri Lankan architectural styles. These temples inspire an intrigue that is perfectly suitable for an epic story in ancient Asia. Already highly featured in a number of documentaries and historical productions, Ayutthaya is the prime location of choice for international filmmakers eager to capture the essence of Thailand’s heritage. The famous martial art movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kickboxer, had scenes shot at Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Ratchaburana, two famous temples in Ayutthaya.
Ancient City - Samut Prakan
The Ancient City, located in Samut Prakan Province, provides a filmmaker’s dream, a huge open-air museum, wherein portions of Thailand’s most famous historical sites have been replicated. The Ancient City is designed like a map of Thailand, divided into four zones, representing different regions of the country. It realizes an ideal-all-in-one filming location for productions requiring diverse environments, grand palaces and temples to rural village scenes. The Hangover Part 2, a blockbuster movie released in 2011, has scenes that are shot at the Ancient City.
Sukhothai Historical Park and Si Satchanalai Historical Park - Sukhothai
Thailand’s first ever capital, Sukhothai, offers producers a beautiful historical backdrop. Filled with ancient temples, Buddha statues and carved stones, filmmakers can take advantage of the landscape to shoot historical movies or documentaries. With its well preserved heritage, Sukhothai gives film crews a great opportunity to shoot all kinds of scenes that require historical sites. Like those seen in the famous movie, Mortal Kombat, featuring temples and the landscape of Sukhothai.
Krasae Cave - Kanchanaburi
Krasae Cave is small but significant in history due to its location in Kanchanaburi Province. During World War II, it was used to shelter the British and Australian prisoners of war; therefore, the cave offers a dark and extremely theatrical setting for war films, escape stories, and historical re-enactments. The Railway Man, a film released in 2013, was shot prominently in Kanchanaburi featuring a lot of the province’s historical sites. The cave’s historical importance also adds an emotional depth to the story of the war, giving the filmmakers an opportunity for a strong story with historical correctness. Additionally, the famous Thai movie, The Legend of King Naresuan, was also prominently shot in Kanchanaburi.
Khlong Bang Luang - Bangkok
The historical Khlong Bang Luang Community in Bangkok has an atmosphere which is perfect when filmmakers set out to depict the traditional Thai life. Khlong Bang Luang is actually an ancient community next to the Khlong Bangkok Yai Canal, filled with old-world charm: wooden houses, narrow waterways, and a dynamic cultural scene. An excellent background for films whose settings include Thailand’s canal-side communities and its boat markets. The Man With The Golden Gun, a film that is part of the popular James Bond series, features a scene shot at the Khlong Bang Luang.
Thailand’s Historical Sites: A Golden Opportunity for Global Productions
Thailand’s historical sites are more than just tourist attractions; they are the cinematic treasures that await exploration. Their close link of history, architecture, and natural beauty provides filmmakers an opportunity to put their stories to life. From the ancient empires to war-time struggles and traditional communities, Thailand’s historical landmarks give the perfect backdrop for a wide variety of film genres and themes.
As international productions continue to look for unique and exceedingly visually appealing locations, Thailand still serves as one of the top contenders for filmmakers looking for a location to film their next big project. Additionally, Thailand’s government offers foreign film production an attractive tax rebate program. These locations are now likely to shine on screen, be it for blockbusters like Mortal Kombat, independent flicks, or historical documentaries.
