Thailand has approved the latest film in the Jurassic Park franchise to use Bangkok and three southern national parks as filming locations. The permission is contingent upon SAGA Productions ensuring that their activities do not affect the environment, nature, or wildlife, according to Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Department.
The London-based production firm is allowed to shoot from June 13 to July 16 in Bangkok and three national parks, specifically:
- Sunset Beach on Kradan Island in Hat Chao Mai National Park, Trang Province (5 days)
- Huay Toh Waterfall in Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, Krabi Province (3 days)
- Khao Tapu on Songpinong Island and Nakaya Island in Ao Phang Nga National Park, Phang Nga Province (5 days)
The company has already paid the film production fees and provided collateral.
Throughout the shoot, the production team is not allowed to seal off any permitted zones and must control sound, ensure safety, and prevent damage to natural resources, the environment, or wildlife. Additionally, preparing the locations must not involve drilling, altering, or damaging the original natural conditions. The activities should not affect tourists visiting the areas.
Atthaphon emphasized that all conditions must be strictly followed to avoid repeating the mistakes made during the 2000 filming of “The Beach” in Maya Bay, Krabi. That production felled trees and bulldozed the beach to create a new setting, causing extensive environmental damage.
Local authorities in Thailand filed a lawsuit against the ministries involved and the film production company responsible for the environmental damage. The Supreme Court ruled that the Thai authorities were responsible for the restoration, which cost millions of baht. The court upheld a compromise agreement in which Twentieth Century Fox and Santa International Film Productions provided 10 million baht (approximately US$270,000) for rehabilitation work.
Photo: Koh Kradan Island
