Filmmakers around the world are,
over the recent years, taking advantage of Thailand’s exotic locations, cheap
and hard working labor, and high production values, to shoot many of the movies
and other productions; contributing millions to the country’s economy. While,
these reasons and more were mentioned in a previous blog, we expanded
the location factor, covering each part of the country, in a series of blogs to
highlight little known locations with list of the popular movies shot in those
parts.
The series having, previously
covered Northern, Western, and North Eastern and Eastern parts
of Thailand, now looks at the Central part of Thailand, barring Bangkok, which
with its popularity, preference by many filmmakers to shoot, locations capable
of doubling up for any place in the world, merits a single blog of its own.
The Central Thailand covers
Bangkok Metropolitan, Chao Phraya Basin, Northern Gulf Coast and West of
Bangkok. It is the richest part of Thailand, boasting of the complex irrigation
system developed for the wet-rice agriculture that provides the necessary
economic support to sustain the country. It is also a focal point of trade and
transportation from the ancient times and, in the recent times, industrial
activity. Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi, Lopburi, and Nakhon Pathom
are among the most well known cities in this region.
Due to its historical importance,
the area boasts of locations, houses and temples that are influenced by the
Burmese reign, establishment of the present Siam kingdom and colonial periods.
They have regularly double up for Cambodia, Vietnam and other South East Asian
countries.
Selected below are few of the
locations from the region.
Phra Narai Ratchaniwet: A perfect blend
of two different architectural styles – French and Khmer. This palace was
commissioned by King Narai with the contributions of French architects. It is a
beautiful ancient location which can double up for 17th century
European times, or any period of the colonial times in Asia.
Wat Sao Thong Thong: A
remarkable, unique and historical importance location of the area. This western
style viharn was originally built by King Narai as a church for the Christian
envoys. He later ordered the replacement of Thai windows with Western-style
windows with Gothic-designs in the secondary chapel. However, today this viharn is a Buddhist
temple with a large seated Buddha image inside, resulting in one of a kind
temple inside a church.
Buffalo Village: Most are
familiar with the Elephant village up north of Thailand; however the country is
home to a large population of water buffalos, an animal very importance to
Thailand, culturally and historically. The locations around can also easily
double up locations in the South East Asia, many a times set as a village with
the buffalos and villages during the Vietnam War.
Bang Namphueng, Damnoen Seduak
and Amphawa Floating Markets: The famous floating markets which has been
extensively a part of many productions shot in Thailand. They reflect the charm
of the canalside lifestyle of the community, in addition to of course the food
and drinks. Its beauty has been dubbed, “Venice of the East” by early European
visitors.
Atsana Wihan Mae Phra Bangkoet: A
beautiful church constructed in French Gothic architectural style built in 1890
by Father Paolo Salmone, a French Missionary; a reminder of the colonial
presence in Thailand.
The well known productions to
have shot around these areas are Mortal Kombat (1995), Mortal Kombat:Annihilation (1997), The King Maker (2005), Alexander (2004), The Deer Hunter(1978), Casualties of War (1989), The Man With The Golden Gun (1974), BeyondBorders (2003), Bangkok Dangerous (2008), and many more.
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