James Bond Filming Locations – The Man with the Golden Gun

James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan) became famous worldwide because of the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun. But many other places in Thailand have appeared in James Bond movies. This page tells the story of how the island was chosen, what was filmed there, and other 007 locations you can visit. No movie exaggerations – just facts for film fans and curious travellers.

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

The Man with the Golden Gun was the ninth film in the James Bond series. It starred Roger Moore as James Bond (his second appearance after Live and Let Die). The villain was Francisco Scaramanga, played by Christopher Lee – a master assassin who charges one million dollars per kill. The film was directed by Guy Hamilton. The producers chose Thailand because of the dramatic limestone karsts, which looked like a natural fortress.

The plot involves a solar energy device called the Solex Agitator. Scaramanga has built a secret hideout on a remote island. In reality, that “island” was a combination of Khao Phing Kan and Ko Tapu. The exterior shots of the villain’s lair were filmed against these rocks, while interior scenes (the funhouse with mirrors) were shot in a studio in England.

Why Phang Nga Bay?

Location manager Christopher M. Swingler scouted several places in Southeast Asia. He needed a location that looked both beautiful and menacing. The limestone towers of Phang Nga Bay – rising vertically from emerald water – were perfect. The bay was largely unknown to international tourists at the time. Local fishermen used longtail boats, and there were no tour operators. The film crew brought in equipment by boat from Phuket. They built a small floating platform to shoot from. The famous scene where Bond’s seaplane lands near the island was done with a real seaplane (a Republic RC-3 Seabee).

The film made the area an instant tourist attraction. Within a year, local boatmen began offering “James Bond Island tours”. Today, the Thai government officially recognises the nickname, although the national park name remains Khao Phing Kan.

Key Scenes Filmed on James Bond Island

• The arrival: Bond flies his seaplane over the karsts and lands beside Ko Tapu. The camera shows the nail rock from a low angle, making it look huge.
• The duel: Bond and Scaramanga face each other on a beach. That beach is actually the small sand strip at Khao Phing Kan (only visible at low tide). The cliffs behind them are the twin hills of Khao Phing Kan.
• The cave entrance: Scaramanga’s lair is shown as a dark opening in the rock. In real life, there is no such deep cave – it was a matte painting combined with a miniature set.

No filming happened on Ko Tapu itself because the rock is too small and steep. All close‑ups of the rock were done from a boat or with a model.

Other James Bond Filming Locations in Thailand

Thailand has appeared in two other James Bond films:

• Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) – starred Pierce Brosnan. The opening chase scene was filmed in Phuket’s old town and along the waterfront. The famous “taxi chase” used Soi Romanee and Thalang Road. Some scenes were also shot on Koh Tapu (but as a backdrop, not a main location).
• The Man with the Golden Gun also used Bangkok locations: the Oriental Hotel (now Mandarin Oriental) and the Khlong Toei port area. The boat chase through the canals was filmed in several khlongs (canals) around Bangkok.

No other Bond films have been shot in Thailand, though several were planned but later moved to other countries for budget reasons.

Cast and Crew Who Visited James Bond Island

Roger Moore later recalled that filming in Phang Nga Bay was “hot and mosquito‑ridden, but beautiful”. He stayed in Phuket during filming. Christopher Lee (Scaramanga) was a keen golfer and spent his free time at the Blue Canyon golf course. Britt Ekland (Mary Goodnight) and Maud Adams (Andrea Anders) both said the location was one of the most exotic they ever worked in. Local Thai fishermen were hired as extras and boat drivers. Today, some of those original boatmen still tell stories about the film crew.

Preserving the Film Legacy

No permanent structures from the movie remain on James Bond Island. The producers were required to leave no trace. However, local vendors sell toy golden guns, DVDs, and photos. The national park has placed a sign with a picture of Roger Moore. At the nearby Koh Panyee floating village, you can buy t‑shirts with “James Bond Island” printed on them. For film fans, the most authentic experience is simply to stand on the beach and imagine the scene.

Every year, a few die‑hard fans dress up as Bond or Scaramanga for photos. The park does not discourage this, as long as you do not disturb other visitors.

Other Films and TV Shows Shot in Phang Nga Bay

Besides James Bond, several other productions have used the bay:

• The Beach (2000) – though mainly filmed on Koh Phi Phi Leh, some aerial shots include the karsts.
• Kickboxer (1989) – Jean‑Claude Van Damme’s film had a training montage filmed on a longtail boat.
• Survivor (US TV series) – one season was filmed on Koh Tarutao, but the aerial recognisance shots used Phang Nga Bay.

None of these became as famous as Bond, but they helped establish the area as a filming hub.

Visiting the Filming Locations Today

All James Bond Island tours stop at the exact spot where the film was shot. You can take a photo holding a toy golden gun (sold by vendors on the beach). For a deeper experience, hire a private longtail boat and ask the driver to take you to the specific angles used in the movie. Some guides were taught by the original 1974 boatmen. The best time for photography is early morning (8‑9 AM) or late afternoon (3‑4 PM) to match the lighting in the film. Check our practical information page for tour booking tips.

If you want to visit other Bond locations in Thailand:

• Bangkok’s Oriental Hotel – still operating. You can have afternoon tea in the Authors’ Wing.
• Khlong Toei port – not tourist‑friendly, but you can see it from a boat tour.
• Phuket Old Town – walk down Soi Romanee (the street from Tomorrow Never Dies).

Allow at least 2‑3 days to visit all these – one day for James Bond Island, one day for Phuket town, and one for Bangkok.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Film

Q: Was the island really used as Scaramanga’s hideout?
A: Only the exterior shots. The interior of the lair (the funhouse) was a set in Pinewood Studios, England.

Q: Did Roger Moore visit the island?
A: Yes. He was there for several days of filming. He later said it was one of his favourite locations.

Q: Can I see the golden gun from the movie?
A: The original prop is in the collection of the James Bond museum in England (the Bond in Motion exhibit). Replicas are sold locally.

Q: Are there any guided film location tours?
A: Some private tour operators offer “007 tours” that include Phuket town and James Bond Island. Ask your hotel for recommendations.

Q: Why didn’t they film on Ko Tapu itself?
A: The rock is too small, steep, and fragile. It would have been unsafe for actors and equipment.

Q: Is the beach from the final duel still there?
A: Yes, but it is only exposed at low tide. Check the tide schedule before your visit.

Final Word From Local Experts

James Bond Island’s fame is a happy accident of cinema. A location scout saw potential, a director agreed, and within a year the island went from unknown fishing spot to global icon. The rock itself does not care about the movie – it has stood for 250 million years. But for us humans, the film adds a layer of magic. When you stand on the beach and look at Ko Tapu, you are standing in the same spot where Roger Moore faced Christopher Lee. That feeling is worth the trip.

Remember the Thai saying: “The movie is short, but the memory is long.” Take your time, imagine the scene, and enjoy being part of 007 history.

— Written by the team at VisitJamesBondIsland.com