MASTERY FILMS
From Bangkok’s skyline to Phuket’s beaches, Chiang Mai shows a different side of Thailand. Mountains replace high-rises, and temples stand where palm trees once did. The mix of cool weather and peaceful scenery has made it a favorite for filmmakers searching for calm and character.
| Movie | Locations |
|---|---|
| Air America (1990) | Chiang Mai Airport, rural northern areas |
| Rescue Dawn (2007) | Jungles and hills near Mae Taeng |
| American Gangster (2007) | Countryside and outskirts used as Southeast Asia |
| Rambo (2008) | Forests and river zones north of Chiang Mai |
| Beyond Borders (2003) | Golden Triangle region, Chiang Mai Province |
| Lost in Thailand (2012) | Chiang Mai University, temples, street markets |
| The Elephant King (2006) | Old City, Night Bazaar, nightlife districts |
| The Man with the Iron Fists 2 (2015) | Limestone caves outside the city |
| Sniper 3 (2004) | Local markets and alleys doubling for Vietnam |
| No Escape (2015) | Downtown streets and rooftops |
| Hot Potato (1976) | City and countryside around Chiang Mai |
| Into the Sun (2005) | Temples and forests in the northern region |
| Doi Boy (2023) | Urban streets and outer districts |
| One for the Road (2021) | Countryside roads and temple areas |
Air America (1990) Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. shot scenes around Chiang Mai Airport and nearby villages, which stood in for Laos during the Vietnam War. The film used the province’s mountains and rural airstrips to recreate wartime jungle missions.
Rescue Dawn (2007) Director Werner Herzog chose Chiang Mai’s wild jungles near Mae Taeng for this POW escape drama starring Christian Bale. The dense forests doubled convincingly for Laos and Vietnam.
American Gangster (2007) Ridley Scott filmed several Southeast Asia sequences in Chiang Mai, using rural areas to portray Vietnam-era military airfields and border regions.
Rambo (2008) Sylvester Stallone filmed most of the jungle action around Chiang Mai’s northern forests and river valleys. The province’s rugged landscape became Rambo’s battleground on the Burma border.
Beyond Borders (2003) Starring Angelina Jolie, this humanitarian drama used the Golden Triangle region in Chiang Mai Province to represent Southeast Asia’s remote conflict zones.
Lost in Thailand (2012) China’s highest-grossing local film was shot almost entirely in Chiang Mai — Chiang Mai University, temples, and markets. Its success boosted Chinese tourism to the city overnight.
The Elephant King (2006) Filmed in Chiang Mai’s Old City and Night Bazaar, this drama follows two American brothers living abroad. The tuk-tuks, neon streets, and warm nightlife captured the city’s authentic energy.
The Man with the Iron Fists 2 (2015) RZA’s martial-arts sequel built a mining-village set in limestone caves outside Chiang Mai, transforming the region’s natural rock formations into a cinematic battlefield.
Sniper 3 (2004) Tom Berenger filmed action scenes in Chiang Mai’s busy markets and narrow lanes, which doubled for Ho Chi Minh City.
No Escape (2015) Owen Wilson’s thriller shot its chaotic street and rooftop sequences in downtown Chiang Mai, chosen for its flexible film permits and Asian-city feel.
Hot Potato (1976) An early American action movie that used Chiang Mai as a base for tropical adventure scenes decades before Hollywood rediscovered the area.
Into the Sun (2005) Steven Seagal’s action film included temple and jungle shots in Chiang Mai, adding spiritual contrast to the film’s urban Tokyo story.
Doi Boy (2023) A coming-of-age drama about a young Hmong man, filmed across Chiang Mai’s urban streets and mountain outskirts, praised for its realism and atmosphere.
One for the Road (2021) Produced by Wong Kar-wai, this Thai-American road-trip drama filmed several emotional scenes around Chiang Mai’s countryside and temples.
| TV Series | Locations |
|---|---|
| The White Lotus Season 3 (2025) | Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Mae Rim rice terraces |
| NCT Life in Chiang Mai (2017) | Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, local markets, cafés |
| Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown – Thailand (2014) | Rice-farming villages, Chiang Mai food markets |
| The Amazing Race | Temples, elephant sanctuaries, Old City landmarks |
| Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure (2023) | Elephant Nature Park, Mae Taeng District |
The White Lotus Season 3 (2025) HBO filmed key scenes at the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, using its rice fields and mountain views to create the season’s signature tropical calm.
NCT Life in Chiang Mai (2017) Members of the K-pop group explored Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, night markets, and cafés introducing Chiang Mai’s charm to fans across Asia.
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2014) The late chef filmed in Chiang Mai’s countryside with local cooks and rice farmers, capturing the slow, community-based rhythm of Northern Thai life.
The Amazing Race Contestants completed challenges at Chiang Mai’s temples, elephant sanctuaries, and cultural markets, highlighting the province’s variety.
Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure (2023) Shot at Elephant Nature Park, the series showed rescued elephants and their caretakers in the Mae Taeng valley.
Chiang Mai is more than a quiet mountain city. It has become one of Thailand’s most loved filming spots. The mix of culture, cool weather, and easy logistics makes it perfect for all kinds of productions. From temples and old streets to green hills and rice fields, the city gives every story a calm and cinematic backdrop.
1. What movies were filmed in Chiang Mai? Many international films were shot here, including Rambo (2008), Rescue Dawn (2007), Lost in Thailand (2012), Beyond Borders (2003), and One for the Road (2021).
2. What TV series filmed in Chiang Mai? Shows like The White Lotus Season 3 (2025), NCT Life in Chiang Mai (2017), and Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2014) featured well-known landmarks and local life.
3. Where was The White Lotus Season 3 filmed? At the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and nearby rice fields in Mae Rim District.
4. Why do productions choose Chiang Mai? The city offers natural scenery, temples, and mountain views that fit both action and drama. It is also quiet, affordable, and film-friendly.
5. When is the best time to film in Chiang Mai? From November to February, when the weather is cool, dry, and clear for outdoor shoots.
From action blockbusters to heartfelt dramas, Chiang Mai offers backdrops that inspire every kind of story.
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