Phuket in Film and TV

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Phuket, Thailand, has been a popular filming location for decades thanks to its stunning beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise waters, and vibrant culture. It's frequently used in film and TV either as itself or as a generic tropical paradise. Here's an overview of Phuket in film and television:

🎬 Notable Films Shot in or Featuring Phuket

1. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

  • James Bond film featuring Roger Moore.

  • While most scenes were filmed in Phang Nga Bay (near Phuket), the island served as the base for production.

  • The iconic James Bond Island (Ko Tapu) has since become a major tourist attraction.

2. The Beach (2000)

  • Starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

  • Filmed mostly on Maya Bay (Ko Phi Phi Leh), a few hours by boat from Phuket, which acts as the hub for the journey.

  • Phuket was used as a logistical base and shown briefly in scenes of urban chaos and travel.

3. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)

  • Phuket plays a prominent on-screen role.

  • Bridget travels to Thailand and experiences a series of misadventures in Phuket, including being imprisoned.

  • Showcases beaches, street markets, and nightlife.

4. Mechanic: Resurrection (2016)

  • Action-thriller starring Jason Statham.

  • Filmed extensively in Phuket, especially at Ao Yon Bay, private villas, and island locations.

  • Highlights the luxury side of Phuket, with yachts and oceanfront estates.

📺 Television Series

1. The White Lotus – Season 3 (2025)

  • A major portion of this HBO season is set and filmed in Phuket.

  • Real filming locations include Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, Rosewood Phuket, and Bangla Boxing Stadium.

  • Features both serene wellness resorts and chaotic nightlife—capturing Phuket’s full duality.

2. The Amazing Race (Multiple Seasons)

  • Phuket has been a stop in several seasons.

  • Tasks often involve local culture, such as Thai cooking, Muay Thai, or navigating busy markets.

3. Season 3 of The White Lotus

In Season 3 of The White Lotus—which premiered on February 16, 2025 and wrapped on April 6, 2025—Phuket plays a significant on-screen role as part of the Thailand setting, both narratively and visually

Phuket’s Role in Season 3.

🔹 Main Filming in Phuket

  • Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas serves as one of the core locations for the "White Lotus" resort, particularly for the wellness sanctuary/spa scenes and Belinda’s villa, which appear extensively in the season.

  • Rosewood Phuket’s Ta Khai restaurant is the site for nearly all evening dining scenes, chosen because the Four Seasons Koh Samui restaurant location was too dark for nighttime filming.

🔹 Additional Phuket Locations

  • Ya Nui Beach at the southern tip of Phuket appears in arrival and beach scenes.

  • Phuket Yacht Haven Marina and the trendy beachfront spot Café Del Mar (Kamala Beach) also feature in leisure and party sequences.

  • A Muay Thai fight at Bangla Boxing Stadium in Patong is shown in the background of emotional character moments—a dramatic cultural moment in the storyline.

How Phuket Fits into Season 3’s Story

While most of the story unfolds on Koh Samui at the Four Seasons, Phuket surfaces as a vital secondary setting to:

  • Reveal Belinda’s backstory and spiritual arc, via wellness and retreat sequences at Anantara Mai Khao.

  • Offer dramatic contrast between serenity (spa/lagoons) and tension (boxing match, dramatic dinners).

  • Provide a visual geography shift—the luxury resort vibes of Samui vs. the dynamic nightlife and cultural scenes of Phuket.

Phuket Filming Locations Summary

Location Purpose in the Show
Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas Spa scenes, Belinda’s villa, resort reception areas
Rosewood Phuket – Ta Khai All nighttime dinner scenes
Ya Nui Beach Arrival/beach visual sequences
Phuket Yacht Haven Marina Boating/leisure backdrop
Café Del Mar, Kamala Party/nightlife scenes
Bangla Boxing Stadium (Patong) Muay Thai show as thematic backdrop