Famous International Films Shot in Thailand

Thailand’s international filmography includes some of the most recognisable productions of the past five decades. These projects vary widely in genre and scale, but together they demonstrate the country’s long-standing relationship with global cinema.

The Vanishing of Jim Thompson: The Silk King Who Walked Into the Jungle and Never Came Back

 

The Mysterious Disappearance of Jim Thompson in Southeast Asia

An American millionaire, a misty Malaysian hill station, a casual afternoon walk—and then nothing. More than half a century later, Jim Thompson’s disappearance still feels less like a missing-person case and more like a locked-room mystery staged by the jungle itself.

The Cameron Highlands were wrapped in mist that Easter Sunday, as if the mountains themselves had decided to keep a secret. It was March 26, 1967, and the jungle above Tanah Rata breathed in its usual slow, ancient rhythm. Ferns clung to the slopes. Orchids flashed like small, impossible flames among the trees. Somewhere beyond the garden paths and tea estates, birds called and insects buzzed in the damp afternoon air. To most visitors, the place felt peaceful. To Jim Thompson, it must have felt familiar in a strange way: a green world full of texture, silence, and hidden movement.

Thailand’s rooftop bars turn sunset into the main event

There are sunset drinks, and then there are Thai sky bar sunsets with cheese, cava foam, tapas, infinity pools and wood-smoked Peking duck.

Across Thailand, three Meliá rooftop venues are giving golden hour a serious upgrade, each with its own flavour. In Chiang Mai, it is all about artisan Thai cheese and local wine. In Bangkok, Spanish-style social hours spill across a dramatic rooftop pool deck. In Pattaya, sunset comes with Gulf views and a Hong Kong-style Peking duck feast.

The Slate Phuket: industrial chic luxury on Nai Yang Beach

At Phuket’s quieter northern end, The Slate blends Bill Bensley’s audacious tin-mine design with family-friendly resort ease, memorable dining and a rare sense of seclusion close to Nai Yang Beach.

Words: Roderick Eime || Images: supplied

It is tempting, when writing about resorts, to reach for the same polished vocabulary that appears in every brochure and online review. Sanctuary. Oasis. Hideaway. Retreat. Most of the time, those words are merely decorative. At The Slate Phuket, however, they come closer than usual to the truth.

The Retreat Koh Chang: Quiet Luxury on Thailand’s Green Island

Thailand’s islands are often associated with excess. Vast beachfront resorts, crowded pool decks and all-night beach parties have become part of the country’s tourism mythology. Yet tucked away on Koh Chang, near the Cambodian border, The Retreat Koh Chang offers something markedly more restrained and sophisticated.

Song Wat, Bangkok: Where the City’s Past Still Trades

I arrived in Bangkok expecting another extension of Chinatown’s sensory overload, but Song Wat Road reveals itself more gradually. Running parallel to the Chao Phraya River, this narrow strip feels like a working archive—less polished than other revived districts, but arguably more authentic.

History, food and fun at Asiatique The Riverfront, Bangkok

 Set along a broad curve of the Chao Phraya River, Asiatique The Riverfront is one of Bangkok’s most atmospheric leisure precincts—part night market, part dining district and part riverside promenade. It combines modern retail and entertainment with a deliberately preserved sense of the city’s maritime past. Since opening in 2012, the complex has become a popular evening destination for both visitors and locals seeking food, shopping and river views in a single location.

Celebrating Lunar New Year at Luxury Destinations Across Thailand

2026 is the Year of the Horse, and a fun-filled festival across many countries in Asia. Here is a compilation of hotel and resort options offering a little something special on Feb. 17 as they mark Chinese New Year in Thailand.

The Weekend of Romance - Voluptuous Valentine’s Venues in Thailand

Whether it’s a marriage proposal, a special anniversary or simply just an opportunity to get away and spend some quality time with the one you love, Valentine’s Day is the time when romance springs eternal. Here is a compilation of lavish resorts and hotels in Thailand that are ideal for a memorable weekend.

Hotel snapshot: Dusit Thani Bangkok

 The new Dusit Thani Bangkok is a masterclass in luxury hospitality, seamlessly blending traditional Thai elegance with modern sophistication. This 39-story monolith has risen from the ashes of its 1970s predecessor, and it's a game-changer. Every detail screams opulence, from the stunning lobby mural to the expertly crafted woodwork and marble accents.

The Level: “A Hotel within a Hotel” at Melia Pattaya Hotel

 Meliá Pattaya Hotel has unveiled a ‘hotel within a hotel’ called The Level that sets apart 38 rooms and suites as well as a private lounge and a host of bespoke privileges.

New Meliá Pattaya Hotel Unveils Majestic Restaurant & Sky Bar

With a dramatic design referencing calligraphy, vistas of the Gulf of Thailand, and Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine promoting health and sustainability, show-stopping Yitong Chinese Restaurant & Sky Bar has debuted in vibrant Pattaya.

Flying High at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum

Visiting the Thai Air Force Museum is an immersive experience into the country's surprisingly rich aviation history.

 Located near Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, the museum showcases a vast collection of aircraft, memorabilia, and exhibits highlighting Thailand's military aviation heritage. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a sprawling complex featuring various aircraft on display, including retired military planes and helicopters.

New foodie flavours on Banthat Thong Road, Bangkok

Banthat Thong Road in Bangkok has become a vibrant hub for the city's emerging foodie scene. Known for its mix of old-school eateries and trendy new establishments, this area offers a unique blend of traditional Thai flavors and modern culinary creativity. Here’s a look at what makes it stand out:

Thai AirAsia X resumes direct flights between Sydney and Bangkok

Thai AirAsia X beckons everyone back to Thailand ahead of the peak end of year travel season with direct Sydney-Bangkok (Don Mueang Airport) flights, now available six times a week starting from Sydney from 2 December 2024 to Don Mueang Airport (DMK) with an enhanced variety of Fly Thru connecting routes.

Vibrant ‘Pinto Lunch Sets’ All The Rage at The Kites Eatery

A fun and colourful dining experience designed to “pack a punch on the senses”, INNSiDE By Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s 31st floor all-day dining restaurant The Kites Eatery has launched “Pinto Lunch Set”.

Thailand maintains ‘fully-reopen’ entry rules

 The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to clarify that Thailand continues to welcome all international tourists under the fully-reopen-to-tourism policy that was introduced on 1 October, 2022.

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, said “International travellers arriving in Thailand are not required to show proof of vaccination.”

Thailand’s long-distance trains to operate from new Bangkok rail hub

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced the relocation – effective from 19 January, 2023, of 52 long-distance, rapid, and express train services from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station to the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

‘No Boundaries’: The Reinvention of Siam@Siam

TAAN marks its long-awaited reopening with a new menu of its most celebrated dishes, a refreshed dining-room ambience and a bolstered service team.

The PRODE menu (whose name means ‘favourite’ in Thai) invites guests on a nine-course trip down memory lane while continuing to push the boundaries of modern Thai cuisine.

Executive Chef Monthep “Thep” Kamolsilp curates a selection of dishes across TAAN’s three-year journey.

Recognised in the latest Thailand Michelin Guide 2022, TAAN continues to showcase the best in local cooking wisdom and ingredients. Chef Thep revitalises his most memorable dishes through innovative techniques, new presentations and other creative tweaks.

“The PRODE menu really showcases TAAN’s favourite ways of conveying local wisdom. We have had some fun reconstructing Thai food through adventurous techniques. There are no boundaries. Each dish is different to before but they still put the emphasis on local ingredients,” said Chef Thep.

“We have come so far from the day we opened. Across our three-year journey, our team has developed a lot in both thought and technique. This year, on top of working with local farmers who share our sustainable philosophy, we wanted to create a menu that reflects our evolving ideas and elevated techniques to offer a full-flavoured experience that guests are fond of,” said Chef Thep.

Among the dishes featured is Pla Bu, an umami combination of roasted bamboo, Yala province goby fish with its scales intact, and Isaan-style “ya-nang leaves” mushroom sauce.

Golae Talay is a twist on a Southern Thai delicacy of grilled chicken and replacing it with seafood from Surat Thani that features Northern sweet longan, which is more commonly used in dessert.

With Run Juan, Chef Thep takes what is usually a shrimp paste clear soup to another level with his French consomme know-how and deep-fried brined pork tendon.

Guests can also expect all-time Northern classics like Kua Ham, featuring offbeat protein like frog legs and overlooked Northern Thai herbs such as ko son leaves which are normally seen as garden trees.

A true fan favourite returns in the form of the Black Chicken Rice Congee, a heartwarming mix of elements that no one has done before in using Northern crab paste and the royal project black chicken with Southern staples like bitter beans and krill sauce. Go with milled jasmine rice.

For Chef Thep, the reopening of TAAN means the opportunity to reconnect with his extensive network of artisanal farmers and suppliers.

“We are proud to play a small part in helping to make our local food scene a better place. Over the years we’ve seen our artisans develop their products and skills in ways previously unimaginable. For example, there are fishermen who are now using the Japanese ikejime technique with Thai fish, which brings a new level of flavour and texture. Our guests can rest assured that when they dine at TAAN they are helping these artisans in their quest for sustainability,” Chef Thep said.

TAAN’s reopening coincides with the restaurant’s appearance in the latest Thailand Michelin Guide 2022. Aside from the new PRODE menu, TAAN is proud to return with a revived ambience. Fresh greenery, refined lighting and a gorgeous ceiling installation accentuate the dining room’s 180-degree panoramic view of the Bangkok skyline, while a new kitchen crew and service team promise an elevated dining experience.

The PRODE menu is available as nine courses at THB 2,890++.

For reservations, please call +66 65 328 7374, contact LINE @taanbangkok or visit www.taanbangkok.com/main/reservations.

WIN: Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International Celebrate 60th Anniversary

It’s a double celebration this year! Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International are Celebrating 60th Anniversary.

We’d like to invite you to join our celebration and you can enter to ‘Win Thailand Holiday Now and travel later’

👉 WIN THAILAND HOLIDAY
https://amazingthailand.com.au/thailandweek/competition

One good thing about being stuck at home is that getting out into the big wide world will seem so sweet. If escaping to Thailand is on your wish list, here's your chance to win a trip to tantalising Thailand, or win a stay at a luxury hotel in the mesmerising hotspots of Phuket, Samui, Krabi or Bangkok.

👉 14 PRIZES I TOTAL VALUE OF $17,000+
https://amazingthailand.com.au/thailandweek/competition