Best Mountain Sites for Film Production in Thailand
Imagine choosing an ideal destination to shoot your next big blockbuster, a place that includes locations for every type of scene your film requires. Welcome to Thailand, a country that has long been a favorite among foreign film production crews. Here you can find everything from beaches, busy cities and beautiful mountain ranges for all your location needs.
Whether you are looking for tropical forests with mountain ranges like those seen in Rambo, which was filmed in Chiang Mai or the busy party streets like those seen in Hangover Part 2, filmed in Bangkok’s nightlife scene, Thailand has it all.
The following article will focus on scenes that require mountain ranges, and how Thailand can accommodate those for film production crews.
Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai
The north of Thailand is known for its beautiful landscapes, and that is exactly what Chiang Mai offers film crews looking for mountainous ranges and expansive national parks. The Sri Lanna National Park, Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep are among the best locations in Thailand to shoot scenes that include mountains. The fourth part of the Rambo series with Sylvestre Stallone was shot in Chiang Mai utilizing the scenic view of Doi Suthep and the Sri Lanna National Park. Rambo wasn’t the only film that had Chiang Mai’s large mountains as its backdrop, the 2015 film No Escape featuring superstars like Owen Wilson and Pierce Brosnan was also shot in Chiang Mai with Doi Suthep as its backdrop in certain scenes.
Khao Chang Phuek - Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi has a rich history that connects Thailand to the Second World War. The famous Burma Railway was built by the Japanese Imperial Army using forced labor, including prisoners of war and Asian laborers during the war. On top of a rich history, Kanchanaburi also has a beautiful landscape that is made up of mountains and national parks. Khao Chang Phuek and Chong Khao Khat are among the popular mountains in the province. The 2013 film The Railway Man was shot in Kanchanaburi and featured some of the province’s iconic locations including the mountain ranges and the River Kwai Bridge. This province is a great location for films that are looking at war-time settings and action films.
Khao Lak - Phang Nga
For filmmakers looking for a place that has the perfect blend of beaches and mountains, look no further than Thailand’s Khao Lak. Part of the Phang Nga province, the region’s proximity to places like Phuket makes it a great opportunity for filmmakers to take advantage of its varied landscapes. The 2012 Oscar-nominated Norwegian film, Kon-Tiki, featured scenes shot at Khao Lak and its mountainous landscape. Additionally, the more well-known blockbuster The Impossible also had scenes shot at Khao Lak.
Khao Khanab Nam and Khao Phanom Bencha - Krabi
Krabi is well known for its beaches and islands, but it also has mountain ranges, making it a perfect location for scripts that require diverse landscapes. Khao Khanab Nam and Khao Phanom Bencha are among the popular mountain ranges found in Krabi. Hangover Part 2, Mortal Kombat and The Beach are popular films that have brought their productions to Krabi utilizing its varied scenic locations.
Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai is a popular tourist destination among locals in Thailand, but it has more to offer than just tourism. The Khao Yai National Park covers over 2000 square kilometers of various landscapes ranging from grassland, forests and waterfalls. The popular Leonardo Dicaprio movie, The Beach, features scenes from The Khao Yai National Park.
Mo Hin Khao - Chaiyaphum
Known as the “Stonehenge of Thailand,” Mo Hin Khao in Chaiyaphum is a striking site with tall limestone pillars. This site looks mysterious and otherworldly, making it great for fantasy, mythological, or prehistoric movies. The light at sunrise and sunset at Mo Hin Khao creates dramatic effects that can add a mystical or eerie feel to scenes. The famous Thai movie, The Legend of King Naresuan, used Mo Hin Khao as one of its locations for the film.
Thailand’s mountain regions have special landscapes that can make global film productions really stand out. With blockbuster films like The Beach and Rambo having filmed in Thailand’s various mountain ranges, the country emerges as one of the top locations to shoot your next project. Additionally, Thailand’s varied landscapes like beaches, waterfalls, cityscapes, historical sites and mountains, production crews can take advantage and shoot the majority of their film within the country. The Thai government’s appealing tax incentive program also adds on to Thailand’s emergence as a top film production location in the world.
