Thailand is an attractive destination for international filmmakers. From lush jungles to futuristic skylines, the country offers locations that are both versatile and cinematic. Just as important are the professional crews, government rebates, and Thailand’s high-end film studio facilities that make large-scale productions possible.
Over the past few years, some of the biggest titles in Hollywood and streaming have chosen to film here. These projects brought in billions of baht in investment, created thousands of local jobs, and introduced global audiences to Thailand’s landscapes and culture in new ways.
Alien: Earth
This sci-fi epic, which was filmed entirely in Thailand, set a new record for international production spend in Thailand: more than 2.8 billion THB (about USD 86 million). That’s the highest budget ever invested by a foreign production here.
Filming spanned seven provinces and 123 shooting days, with over 1,600 Thai crew members working alongside international teams. Even during the Hollywood writers’ strike, the cameras were able to start rolling in Bangkok, Krabi, and Phang Nga, thanks to British cast members already on location.
The primary filming location was The Studio Park Thailand in Samut Prakan, the country’s first international grade production facility. Between Bangkok’s skyscrapers and temples, and the greenery of Khao Sok National Park, the series proves how Thailand can double as almost any world you can imagine.
Jurassic World Rebirth
Dinosaurs once again stomped across cinema screens, and this time, southern Thailand played host. Krabi, Trang, and Phang Nga provided the jagged cliffs, dense jungles, and cinematic coastlines. What looks like CGI in the trailer is often just raw Thai terrain.
Here’s something many viewers might not know: Thailand is a real paleontological hotspot. In Kalasin province, fossils of Siamraptor suwati, a cousin of T. rex, were unearthed, which makes the choice of location especially fitting for a dinosaur blockbuster.
The production poured 400 million THB (USD 12 million) into the economy in just one month, creating 2,245 jobs. Spending was carefully tracked: 34% went to Thai crew wages, 22.5% on accommodation, and the rest across equipment, food, and local services. The production also benefited from Thailand’s 30% cash rebate program, further supporting Thailand’s already strong appeal as a filming destination.
The White Lotus (Season 3)
Ok, you probably knew this one already. HBO’s glossy resort drama found the perfect setting in Thailand. Koh Samui’s Four Seasons Resort doubled as the fictional White Lotus hotel, while Anantara Bophut and Rosewood Phuket provided the lobby, restaurants, and glamorous bar settings.
Filming also took place in Bangkok, including at the legendary Mandarin Oriental. Its Bamboo Bar, the teak-lined jazz venue dating back to the 1950s, makes an appearance, adding a touch of real Thai heritage to the show’s mix of glamour and intrigue. Another key location was Siri Sala, a restored teak villa on the Bangkok Noi Canal, which appears as the home of White Lotus co-owner Sritala Hollinger.
Film incentives played their part here too. With 491 international productions filmed in 2024 generating 6.58 billion THB, Thailand’s goal is 10 billion THB by the end of 2025. The White Lotus is helping lead that charge, boosting tourism while showing the world Thailand can deliver high end TV production services at scale.
Fountain of Youth
Guy Ritchie’s globe-trotting adventure, starring John Krasinski and Natalie Portman, was filmed across multiple countries, with Thailand serving as one of the key backdrops. Unlike many action films that lean heavily on green screen, Ritchie insisted on real-world sets. That meant entire streets were dressed for the shoot, complete with period cars and hand-painted signage.
With over 170 million THB spent in Thailand, the production employed more than 3,200 crew and support staff and kept local businesses busy, from catering teams to transport operators. For filmmakers, this demonstrates how Thailand represents both a filming location and a ready-made ecosystem, with crews, facilities, and services to match international standards.
The film is available to stream on Apple TV+ today.
The Night Agent 2
Netflix’s political thriller returned in January 2025 with Bangkok as a new backdrop. Within its first week, The Night Agent 2 hit No. 1 on Netflix’s global Top 10 Most-Watched English-Language Series chart and climbed to No. 9 on Netflix Thailand.
The opening scenes were filmed in Bangkok’s historic quarters, where temples, wooden houses, and crowded lanes create an atmosphere that immediately conveys how far the protagonist is from home. Creator Shawn Ryan said he was drawn to the “narrow alleys, the bustling vehicles, and the unique shops,” especially in night shoots where every street corner offered a different mood.
Actor Gabriel Basso described the hot, humid climate as an unplanned advantage: “It didn’t require me to act tired or out of breath because it was real.” Those conditions gave the action sequences a raw edge that studio sets could never replicate.
For Thailand, The Night Agent 2 is a showcase of how Netflix film production services in Thailand can take the city’s everyday texture and make it central to a series streamed by millions worldwide.
The Creator
Directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One), The Creator was one of the most ambitious recent productions to base itself in Thailand. The story—a clash between humanity and artificial intelligence—needed a mix of futuristic backdrops and timeless landscapes, and Thailand delivered both.
Filming spanned more than 16 provinces. In Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport and Makkasan Station were transformed into high-tech settings, while beyond the capital, the production ventured deep into the countryside. Locations included Ban Mung and Sangkhla Buri near the Myanmar border, the mountain valleys of Chiang Dao, and Sam Phan Bok in Ubon Ratchathani, often called the Grand Canyon of Thailand.
The team also shot across southern highlights such as Ao Phang Nga National Park, Ao Nang, and Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, capturing limestone cliffs and sweeping coastal scenery that brought scale and texture to the film’s imagined future.
More than 40% of the local spend went directly to Thai crew salaries, while the rest supported accommodation, transport, catering, and location services across the provinces. For audiences, the result is a film that looks expansive and otherworldly, while for Thailand it was another demonstration of how Hollywood-grade film production in Thailand can integrate seamlessly with local landscapes and communities.
MEG 2: The Trench
Jason Statham takes on a giant shark, with Phuket as the film’s primary base and additional shoots in Krabi and Samut Prakan. Locations included Paradise Beach in Kathu, Phuket Airport Park in Thalang, Thalang Manikram in Mueang Phuket, Koh Hong, Than Bok Khorani National Park, and The Studio Park.
Filmed between April and May 2022, the production was coordinated by Indochina Productions (Siam) Co., Ltd. in close collaboration with the Department of Tourism and the Thailand Film Office, who assisted with locations and facilitation. More than 3,500 Thai crew and businesses were involved, from equipment rental companies to catering teams, with over 300 million THB spent locally.
Globally, the film recouped its USD 130 million budget within a week and grossed over USD 154 million, with China alone expected to top USD 500 million. The blockbuster highlights how Thailand’s landscapes and professional film services continue to attract major international productions.
Thailand on the Global Screen
What makes Thailand attractive to international productions goes far beyond its scenery. Crews are highly experienced, costs remain competitive, and the infrastructure now rivals leading global hubs. A key driver of this growth is The Studio Park Thailand in Samut Prakan, the country’s flagship complex, with high-end film studio facilities including five international-standard soundstages (up to 2,400 sqm), indoor and outdoor water tanks, backlots, workshops, and on-site access to Gear Head, Thailand’s leading equipment and crew provider. These resources make Thailand capable of delivering Hollywood-grade film production at scale.
Recent policy updates have strengthened this position. Since January 2024, international productions investing in Thailand can qualify for a 20–30% cash rebate, with the cap raised to 150 million THB per shoot. Combined with the exemption of income tax for foreign actors, Thailand now offers one of the most competitive packages in Asia for big-budget projects, from Disney film production services to independent features.
Beyond Bangkok and Samut Prakan, regional initiatives are expanding Thailand’s appeal. Pattaya’s bid for UNESCO “City of Film” status by 2027 shows how the country is investing in long-term talent development.
In 2023 alone, international productions spent billions of baht across multiple provinces, with titles like The Meg 2: The Trench, The Night Agent, and Alien: Earth filmed entirely or partially in Thailand. For filmmakers, this means access to world-class facilities, Hollywood-grade crews, and diverse locations that can double for anywhere on Earth. And for audiences, it means that when you watch the next blockbuster, chances are Thailand is on screen, even if the story takes you somewhere else entirely.
