Forget what you think you know about filming in Thailand.
For years, the world has seen the postcard: gorgeous temples, crystal-clear waters, and of course, beaches so beautiful you’d think they were made for TV. But no, that paradise really exists.
We know because we’ve filmed on those beaches, captured that awesome golden-hour light, and helped create those crazy, almost too-perfect cinematic moments. But that’s…just the opening scene.
For documentary filmmakers, the real Thailand – the one that emanates raw energy, sets the scene for addictive, complex narratives, and untamed stories from off the beaten path – lies under that glistening surface. When considering film locations Southeast Asia, Thailand presents a filmmaker’s playground, and we’ve got the “keys to the kingdom”.
If you’re looking for inspiration on where – and HOW – to start filming in Thailand for a story with grit, heart, and truly stunning visuals, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been filming across every corner of Thailand for decades, and today, we’re here to spill the tea on how you too can find the perfect setting for your vision.
Filming In Bangkok – Going Beyond the Postcards
If there’s any place that epitomizes the energy of filming in Thailand, it’s Bangkok. Because Bangkok is wild. It’s a living, breathing organism with a high-octane blend of centuries-old traditions and hyper-modern ambitions. The stories are everywhere, from the deafening thwacks that reverberate across open-air, sweltering Muay Thai gyms to the quiet dedication of expert craftsmen, creating their next artisanal piece of woodwork. It’s a city of beautiful contradictions, and we’ve had the privilege of fully exploring its every nook and cranny – we have to say, we’ve fallen in love with it!
We’ve scaled skyscrapers high above Sukhumvit, not just for the view, but to hunt for that perfect, frenetic shot of the city’s lifeblood for a cutaway. We’ve been on the ground, transforming the iconic tuk-tuk into a mobile film set for the Swiss broadcaster SRF, because sometimes the best way to tell a story is to build the stage yourself.
So, why choose this beautiful chaos?
You choose Bangkok for stories of contrast, energy, and ambition. It’s the perfect backdrop for narratives about globalization, the friction between old and new, or the sheer force of human drive. A successful shoot while filming in Thailand’s capital demands a crew that can pivot instantly, navigate gridlock with cunning, and chase the light as it moves between sprawling office buildings, glitzy posh malls, and its iconic, sloping temples.
But there’s simply no place like Bangkok when your story needs to pulse with raw, unstoppable energy.
Our Secret Seasoning: Anyone can film a major landmark. Want to get REAL local? We know how to find the person who’s been maintaining them for 40 years – or how about the snake catcher who keeps surrounding neighborhoods safe? Those are the real stories!
Koh Samui: A Versatile Paradise for Filming in Thailand
If you’ve heard of Thailand, chances are you’ve heard of Koh Samui. It’s where everyone goes to party, to experience ridiculously beautiful beaches, and of course, festivals galore.
But did you know it’s also a self-contained production goldmine? We’ve explored almost every inch of this island, from the luxury villas we scout for reality shows to the professional clinics where we film documentaries like “Die Urlaubsdocs.” We’ve sent drones soaring over its jungle-clad hills for “Reality Backpackers” and navigated its streets to chart routes for cast members, and we can undoubtedly say that if you’re looking to shoot a paradise, there’re few places that even come close to comparing.
This island offers a compressed version of Thailand itself: renowned beaches, rugged highlands, quaint-yet-bustling towns, and pockets of authentic, traditional life. The stories here range from the high-life of expats and international residents to the daily grind of local fishermen.
Why is this a top location for filming in Thailand?
You choose Koh Samui for its versatility and production-readiness. It’s the perfect location when your story requires multiple looks – luxury to local, jungle to beach – all without the logistical headache of a company move. To maximize it, you need a partner with deep, multifaceted experience here. Knowing the best villa is one thing…knowing the doctor who makes house calls and the best drone launch points for a route-recce is another level of expertise.
Choose Koh Samui when your production demands diverse, paradisical settings with maximum efficiency.
Our Secret Seasoning: The best way to understand Samui’s layout for a shoot isn’t a car – it’s a drone. Starting high in the hills gives you a strategic overview that can reveal expected opportunities – a technique we’ve perfected and impressed many a client with, time after time.
Thailand’s Unclaimed Northern Region
Aside from Chiang Mai, Pai, and some other touristy spots, the rugged landscapes of Northern Thailand are often glossed over. But in our experience, it’s a region rife with stories of incredible resilience, making it one of the most unique film locations Southeast Asia has to offer. We’ve been on the ground here for critical projects, documenting Ford’s disaster relief efforts in the flooded regions along the Mae Hong Son River. Filming those untamed mountains and forests was demanding, being logistically complex, emotionally charged, and deeply important work.
But that was where we also found stories of conservation heroes, farmers reviving ancient techniques, and communities balancing their fading identities with the pressures of globalization and modernization.
Why venture into the North?
You come here for stories with soul, grit, and authenticity. It’s the ideal setting for powerful, character-driven documentaries where the landscape is as raw as human emotion. To succeed here, you need patience and robust logistics, as the North runs on a different clock.
We’ve also found that we get the best results when our team knows when to put the camera down, share a meal, and listen to the true experts: locals. That trust, combined with meticulous planning to get crew and gear into challenging terrain, is what turns a difficult shoot into a lasting, impactful story.
Choose the North when your story demands raw, unbridled authenticity, amidst tropic forests, jungles, and mountains sprawling with agriculture.
Our Secret Seasoning: The best fixer in a remote northern village isn’t always a production professional; sometimes it’s the 70-year-old village elder who commands universal respect. We know how to find them.
The Southern Coast: Film Phuket, Thailand & Beyond
The Andaman coast is home to landscapes so mythic they feel like a special effect. We’ve framed shots against the iconic limestone karsts of Phang Nga National Park for the German reality hit “Promis unter Palmen,” proving we can manage large-scale productions in protected, world-class locations. We’ve stood on the sands of Maya Bay for a ZDF documentary, telling its incredible story of ecological recovery.
We know we’ve already mentioned Koh Samui, but the Southern coast deserves its own shoutout. Whether you want to film Phuket, Thailand to deep-dive into the modern complexities of a global tourism hub, or lead an expedition into the primeval wilderness of Khao Sok in search of wildlife, these locations are filled with a world of dazzling, shimmering opportunity.
Why bother with these already-renowned locations?
Frankly, because they’re well-known for a reason. These Andaman icons just can’t be matched, with narratives – conservation, overtourism, climate change – that are universal, set against a backdrop that’s simply larger than life.
To capture the full experience, you need two things: access and technical mastery. Access to protected areas like Maya Bay requires official connections and a proven track record. Technical mastery means having the right gear (drones, gimbals, underwater rigs) and operators who can wield it with precision in challenging saltwater environments.
Choose the Southern coastline and its islands when your story needs a world-class stage for tropical beaches so gorgeous that even after decades of tourism, people still keep coming back.
Our Secret Seasoning: Paradise isn’t just about the setting, but rather it’s a character with a story arc. We’ve seen it all, from high-stakes reality TV chaos to the quiet return of various marine life. Which part of its story do you want to tell? That’s the question you should be asking!
Let Our Experts Bring Your Vision for Filming in Thailand to Life
Thailand is a treasure trove of incredible film locations. Southeast Asia offers many options, but none are quite like this. More than a fixer, you need a creative partner who speaks the language of both international production and locals. Permits aren’t just suggestions here, trust is your most valuable currency, and a simple “yes” can have ten different meanings.
We’ve navigated the bureaucracy, built the relationships, and mastered the logistics of filming in Thailand, from the northern rivers to the southern bays—and we’re ready to help you tell a phenomenal story.
Contact us if you’re interested in a full-service production crew that knows the ins and outs of Thailand, and doesn’t just find the perfect shot, but manifests it. Let’s get it!
