5 Movies You Must Watch Before Going to: Thailand
The spiciest, sexiest country in Southeast Asia, it’s no wonder filmmakers have long been drawn to Thailand. Thailand is a fascinating country with way more to offer than just sex, corruption and hedonism. It’s also a hot button spot with a long history of controversial politics and social troubles, as anyone who’s seen Brokedown Palace (or any of the gazillion documentaries on drug and sex trafficking in Thailand) knows. Change up your perspective on Thailand by checking out OTP’s Top 5 Movies to See Before Going to Thailand. Whether you’re planning to trek over there or you just really dig Thailand, these flicks will put you in the mood for all things Thai.
Sawasdee Bangkok
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is actually nine short films in one. The project was originally commissioned to promote the city of Bangkok,but also deals with gritty social issues. You won’t be seeing these images of homelessness, extreme poverty, prostitution, crime and violence on glossy Conde Nast covers. No National Geographic team burst into town to film this from the outside; instead, these films were made by Thai who have lived through this reality. Despite the tears accumulating in your eyelids, Sawasdee Bangkok isn’t meant to be depressing. It’s an honest depiction of Bangkok and its people, whose stories are often overlooked by foreign travelers. Watch it and open your eyes.
Citizen Dog
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The Thai version of Amelie, Citizen Dog is just as pretty with a little sweet chili sauce. The colorful story of the Thai everyman – in this case a country hick named Pod – who leaves his country home to work as an assembly lineman at a sardine cannery in Bangkok. He wanders aimlessly until he falls madly in love with a maid named Jin. Pod embarks on an adventurous quest to woo his woman, running into crazy characters along the way. Get the full picture of Thai society and inner-city Bangkok in this tale, much more than a cute love story but just as tasty.
Butterfly Man
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A Thai-British adventure/romance/drama flick, Butterfly Man features English backpacker Adam, who arrives in Thailand, dumps his girlfriend and promptly hooks up with a hot Thai masseuse. The premise kinda sounds like a kitschy Asian porno and honestly, the production values are pretty much in the same league. Still, Butterfly Man is a compelling film, complete with unpredictable plot twists and breathtaking shots of Thai scenery. Take it in and be reminded that foreign, exotic beauty isn’t just about instant gratification – there’s always a hidden cost.
The Man with the Golden Gun
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Despite this Bond flick being completely old-school and lacking in today’s mind-blowing special effects, The Man with the Golden Gun still dazzles. Ever the sexy globetrotter, Bond—this time played by Roger Moore—jetsets to Thailand to take down assassin, Francisco Scaramanga, the titular “man with the golden gun.” So what if it’s one of the least critically acclaimed Bond movies? It’s still a 2-hour bonanza of chicks in bikinis, high-speed car/boat chases and spectacular sweeping views of Bangkok and Phuket.
The Beach
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Any list of Thai travel films can’t skip this cult classic. Despite being panned by critics, Danny Boyle’s The Beach raised hell in the box office, thanks to a primarily shirtless, post-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio. Based on Alex Garland’s cult novel, The Beach presents Leo as Richard, a cocky twenty-something jaded American, who backpacks to Thailand in search of something real. Coming across a secret island in the Ko Ang Thong Marine Park archipelago, inhabited by marijuana farmers, Richard joins a small hippie commune living in a quasi-Utopian society and realizes that paradise isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Never mind the bad reviews, this film has some serious acting, a fair amount of nudity and addresses seriously interesting, profound themes. As for the stunning scenery, you’ll toss your Viagra prescription and keep these beaches locked on pause.
Get a feel for this exotic getaway by immersing yourself in Thailand on celluloid. Add these five musts to your Netflix queue, call in for Thai takeout and get transported to another world. You’ll be packing your bag to Thailand before the credits roll.
A sassy, spunky, and spontaneous globetrottress taking the world, one passport stamp at a time.
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THANK YOU OTP FOR GOOD ADVISE ON THAILAND, VERY INTERESTING.
‘The Beach’ is one of my favorite films. Some may consider it mediocre, but still it has a profound message that’s stuck with me. The soundtrack is great as well. The trailer could’ve been much better though. I hope to Travel to Thailand someday and see the beaches where it was filmed and ofcourse everything else that Thailand has to offer.
Too bad it’s so underrated.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who actually liked the Beach! Now I feel vindicated.
Thailand is an amazing country, and the films don’t do it justice. You definitely need to visit–better sooner than later!
i figured the beach would be #1!
These are in no particular order, just a handful of flicks to get you pumped about Thailand
Love this post! I’m heading to Thailand in April, so I have just enough time to watch these before I go. THANKS!
‘The Last Life in The Universe,” “Shutter” or “Bodyguard” and “Bodyguard 2″ have way more insight to real Thai culture than “The Beach” or “Brokedown Palace”