Phuket is one of the most famous filming destinations in Asia. The island and the surrounding Andaman coast are filled with dramatic limestone cliffs, emerald seas, sandy beaches, and colorful old towns. For decades, filmmakers have chosen Phuket and nearby provinces such as Phang Nga and Krabi as their backdrop. The area offers both natural beauty and reliable infrastructure.

Over the years, more than twenty international films and television series have featured Phuket or its neighboring regions. The number continues to rise as global producers look for exotic scenery, skilled crews, and financial incentives that make the island a practical yet visually stunning choice.

Filming Locations in Phuket and the Andaman Coast

Location	Famous Productions	Scenes and Significance
Khao Phing Kan & Ko Ta Pu (James Bond Island), Phang Nga Bay	The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), Alien: Earth (2025)	Used as Scaramanga’s hideout in James Bond. The thin limestone islet Ko Ta Pu became an icon now known as “James Bond Island.” The film launched the site into global fame and tourism surged. Alien: Earth later reused the same dramatic backdrop for futuristic off-world settings.
Maya Bay, Phi Phi Leh Island	The Beach (2000), Stealth (2005), The Hangover Part II (2011)	The hidden lagoon and beach became world-famous after The Beach. Scenes included DiCaprio’s arrival to the secret paradise. Later films used the same scenery for pilot R&R scenes (Stealth) and comedy sequences (Hangover Part II). Over-tourism led to several environmental closures.
On On Hotel, Old Phuket Town	The Beach (2000)	Interior shots of the shabby backpacker hostel where Richard (DiCaprio) stays. The hotel has since been renovated but remains a pilgrimage site for fans of the movie.
Old Phuket Town (Sino-Portuguese Streets, Markets, Temples)	The White Lotus Season 3 (2025)	The cast and crew filmed in historic streets and markets. These scenes highlight Phuket’s cultural side, with colorful architecture and local life.
Anantara Mai Khao Villas (North Phuket)	The White Lotus Season 3 (2025)	Used as one of the fictional White Lotus luxury resorts. The beachfront villas created the setting for opulent, dramatic storylines.
Rosewood Phuket, Emerald Bay	The White Lotus Season 3 (2025)	Another high-end resort chosen for lavish villa and pool scenes. Its private setting gave the show its signature blend of exclusivity and tension.
Surin Beach & Layan Beach (West Coast Phuket)	The White Lotus Season 3 (2025)	Wide stretches of pristine sand provided the backdrop for secluded private-beach storylines. These scenes contrast with the busy resorts of Patong.
Nearby Islands (Koh Yao Noi, Koh Phi Phi)	The White Lotus Season 3 (2025)	Rumored to be used for yacht excursions and island-hopping scenes, showing Phuket’s luxury travel side.
Ko Panyee (Floating Muslim Village), Phang Nga Bay	Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)	Filmed during a holiday sequence. The village on stilts gave a romantic and cultural touch. The production showcased local life, making Ko Panyee a more popular tourist stop.
Orchid Beach Resort, Khao Lak	The Impossible (2012), Tsunami: The Aftermath (2006)	The tsunami disaster was recreated here. The Impossible used massive water tanks and wave effects alongside real locations to tell the survival story. Authentic locations added emotional depth to Tsunami: The Aftermath.
Phang Nga Bay (Cliffs, Caves, Lagoons)	Star Wars: Episode III (2005), Kong: Skull Island (2017), Alien: Earth (2025)	The cliffs were digitally adapted for the Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk in Star Wars. Kong: Skull Island used the caves to enhance its fantasy setting. Alien: Earth returned to the bay for its alien landscapes.
Patong and Bangla Road Nightlife Districts	The Hangover Part II (2011)	Famous for its wild beach parties and neon nightlife. The film used it to show the chaotic atmosphere of a bachelor party gone wrong.
Local Gyms and Arenas, Phuket	Kickboxer: Retaliation (2018)	Filmed fight sequences in real gyms and arenas to create an underground combat vibe.
Marine Filming Sites around Phuket & Phang Nga	Meg 2: The Trench (2023)	Hollywood-scale marine shoots took place here. Local specialists moved equipment and actors through complex waters. Showed Phuket’s ability to host large-scale water productions.
Phuket Beaches (multiple)	Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), Germany’s Next Topmodel (2012)	Romantic getaway sequences and modeling photo shoots showed Phuket’s soft-sand beaches as ideal backdrops for romance and fashion.

Movies Filmed in Phuket

• The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) The ninth James Bond film starring Roger Moore filmed Scaramanga’s hideout at Khao Phing Kan in Phang Nga Bay. At the time the island was little known. After the release of the movie, global audiences discovered the beauty of the limestone karsts. Ko Ta Pu, a thin limestone stack near the filming site, became one of the most photographed rocks in the world. Authorities later protected the area by making it part of Ao Phang Nga Marine National Park.
• The Beach (2000) Directed by Danny Boyle and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this adventure drama changed the global image of Thailand. Interior scenes of the backpacker hotel were shot at the On On Hotel in Phuket Town. The lagoon and beach scenes were filmed at Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh Island. The film turned Maya Bay into a tourist hotspot. The location later had to be closed several times to help the ecosystem recover from over-tourism.
• Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith (2005) George Lucas and his team used aerial footage of Phang Nga Bay for the approach to Kashyyyk, the home planet of the Wookiees. Although no actors filmed in Phuket, the natural environment gave Star Wars one of its most exotic planetary landscapes.
• Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) The romantic comedy sequel starring Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant included a holiday sequence in Phuket. Scenes were filmed at beaches, local resorts, and Ko Panyee, the famous floating Muslim village.
• Stealth (2005) This action science fiction film with Jamie Foxx and Jessica Biel shot rest and relaxation scenes on Phi Phi Leh. The island doubled as a tropical getaway for the characters.
• The Hangover Part II (2011) Although most of the movie is set in Bangkok, some party and beach scenes were filmed in Phuket. The sequel used the island’s nightlife and coastal setting to add variety to the comedy.
• The Impossible (2012) This disaster drama told the true story of a family who survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Parts of the film were shot at Orchid Beach Resort in Khao Lak, just north of Phuket. Large water tanks and special effects were combined with real waves to recreate the tsunami. Naomi Watts recalled how demanding the filming process was.
• Kong: Skull Island (2017) While Vietnam was the main filming location, Phang Nga Bay caves and karsts were used for some of the monster island scenes. The dramatic shapes of the rocks added to the otherworldly look of Skull Island.
• Kickboxer: Retaliation (2018) This martial arts film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Alain Moussi was partially filmed in Phuket. The locations helped capture the underground fighting atmosphere.
• Meg 2: The Trench (2023) The sequel to The Meg included several scenes filmed around Phuket and Phang Nga Bay. Local marine crews played a key role in supporting the large Hollywood production. The movie showed that Phuket can handle big action sequences and underwater filming.

TV Series and Shows Filmed in Phuket

• Alien: Earth (2025) The newest chapter in Ridley Scott’s Alien franchise filmed scenes in Phang Nga Bay. Local marine teams helped ferry heavy equipment through mangrove channels and cliffs. The bay’s alien-like scenery was chosen to match the dark universe of the franchise.
• The White Lotus Season 3 (2025) The award-winning HBO series selected Phuket as its main setting for season 3. Filming took place at luxury resorts such as Anantara Mai Khao and Rosewood Phuket. Old Phuket Town was used for cultural and market scenes. Surin and Layan beaches, as well as nearby islands, also appear in the show. This season is expected to boost luxury tourism in Thailand the same way earlier seasons boosted Hawaii and Sicily.
• Tsunami: The Aftermath (2006) This two-part miniseries from HBO and BBC told the story of the tsunami’s impact. Filming took place in Phuket and Khao Lak to maintain authenticity.
• Germany’s Next Topmodel Season 7 (2012) The contestants traveled to Phuket for photo shoots and modeling challenges. The show presented Phuket’s beaches as glamorous fashion backdrops.

Conclusion

Phuket has a long history as a film location. From James Bond in the 1970s to modern productions like The White Lotus and Alien: Earth, the island continues to attract filmmakers from around the world. The combination of breathtaking scenery, skilled crews, and professional infrastructure makes Phuket stand out.

FAQs About Phuket Filming Locations

1. What are the most popular filming locations in Phuket? Phuket and its surrounding islands have appeared in countless international productions. Iconic sites include Phang Nga Bay, Maya Bay (Phi Phi Leh Island), Old Phuket Town, Promthep Cape, Nai Harn Beach, and Big Buddha Hill. These spots offer everything from tropical beaches to colorful colonial streets and sweeping ocean views.

2. Where was The Beach filmed? The 2000 film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was filmed primarily at Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh Island, located near Phuket in Krabi Province. The bay’s turquoise water and dramatic limestone cliffs made it world-famous. Note: Maya Bay is currently under strict environmental protection, and visitor access is limited to preserve its ecosystem.

3. Where was the James Bond movie filmed? The 1974 James Bond film "The Man with the Golden Gun" was filmed at Khao Phing Kan and Khao Tapu in Phang Nga Bay, just northeast of Phuket. The smaller islet, Khao Tapu, became known worldwide as “James Bond Island” after the movie’s release. Today it’s a major tourist attraction with daily boat tours departing from Phuket.

4. Do I need a permit to film in Phuket? Yes. Filming in Phuket for commercial purposes requires a permit from the Thailand Film Office under the Department of Tourism. Additional permissions may be needed for beaches, national parks, or private property. Working with a licensed Thai production service company helps streamline the application process.

5. What are the best months to film in Phuket? The dry season (November to April) offers the best weather — sunny days and calm seas. The monsoon season (May to October) provides lush green scenery and moody skies ideal for dramatic visuals, but crews should plan for rain and limited sea travel.

6. Are there local production services or equipment rentals available in Phuket? Yes. Phuket has a growing film production network offering location scouting, casting, crew hiring, equipment rental, drones, and post-production support. Many Bangkok-based production companies also provide services in Phuket.

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