Film lovers, nature enthusiasts, and Thailand fans alike have reason to celebrate: Once again, a major Hollywood production is bringing the breathtaking beauty of Thailand to the big screen. With its spectacular filming locations, the new blockbuster showcases exactly why Thailand ranks among the most captivating film settings in the world.
“Jurassic World: Rebirth” by Universal Pictures, the latest chapter in the legendary Jurassic Park and Jurassic World saga – brought director Gareth Edwards and his entire production team to Thailand.
The decision was an easy one: Thailand’s rich and diverse ecosystems with majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, and pristine seas – offered an unmatched level of authenticity and visual splendour no studio could ever replicate.
Filming took place in three of Thailand’s most renowned national parks: Sunset Beach on Koh Kradan and the stunning Morakot (Emerald) Cave in Hat Chao Mai National Park in Trang Province; the Huay To Waterfall and the ancient Sompong tree in Khao Phanom Bencha National Park in Krabi Province; and Khao Ta Pu, Koh Song Phi Nong, and Koh Naka in Ao Phang Nga National Park in Phang Nga Province.
Additional scenes were filmed in Thailand’s bustling capital, Bangkok, and in the northern city of Chiang Mai. In the film, these Thai locations stand in for the fictional islands of Isla Nublar and Sorna.
Beyond its natural beauty, Thailand’s modern film infrastructure played a key role. With state-of-the-art equipment, technical expertise, and well-developed facilities, the country met the demanding standards of a Hollywood production of this scale – proving itself more than capable of supporting international film crews with ease and professionalism.
The ambitious shoot took place last year, spanning over a month from 13 June to 16 July 2024, with an impressive budget of more than 650 million Thai Baht.
The production brought a real boost to the local economy, creating work for more than 500 Thai crew members. All in all, it provided jobs and income for an incredible 2,245 people across the country – a welcome ripple effect far beyond the film set.
“Jurassic World: Rebirth” is the seventh film in the dinosaur saga that began back in 1993 with Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking “Jurassic Park.” The most recent instalment, “Jurassic World Dominion” from 2022, smashed the global box office, raking in over a billion US dollars.
David Koepp, who adapted Michael Crichton’s original novel, penned the screenplay for this new instalment, while Spielberg took on the role of executive producer. Together, they crafted the fresh storyline for “Rebirth.”
The story picks up five years after the events of the sixth film, revealing that today’s Earth ecosystems are no longer suitable for the survival of dinosaurs.
But a glimmer of hope emerges in a special place whose environment closely resembles the ancient world the dinosaurs once inhabited.
Here, three of the largest creatures from the world’s tropical biomes hold the key to creating a vital medicine crucial for humanity’s survival. (Tropical biomes are habitats found around the equator – in the tropics – where it’s warm year-round, often humid, and instead of traditional seasons like summer and winter, there are mainly wet and dry periods.)
Scarlett Johansson stars as Sora Bennett, a specialist in covert operations tasked with leading a highly skilled team – including Jonathan Bailey and Mahershala Ali – on a perilous secret mission.
Their mission: to collect genetic samples from three of the largest and most dangerous dinosaur species on this mysterious island, extracting their DNA. But an unexpected turn of events leaves Bennett stranded.
The film also features Rupert Friend and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo in supporting roles. It is directed by Gareth Edwards, known for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, with a screenplay by David Koepp. The producers include Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley, the original Jurassic series producers as well as those behind Twister, while Steven Spielberg, Denis L. Stewart, and Jim Spencer serve as executive producers.
Audiences worldwide can look forward to stunning panoramas and Thailand’s natural beauty showcased in key scenes, featuring the country’s breathtaking seas and lush southern forests.
The trailer for Jurassic World: Rebirth has already grabbed massive attention, topping the viewer charts across Southeast Asia.
Jurassic World: Rebirth hits cinemas from 2 July 2025.
Ready to explore the filming locations of Jurassic World: Rebirth for yourself?
Koh Kradan in Thailand’s Trang Province
Koh Kradan lies in the Andaman Sea and impresses visitors with incredibly fine, powder-white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, where you can easily spot schools of fish and the colourful seabed below. The island is also surrounded by diverse coral reefs, adding to its natural charm.
About 70% of the island is covered by towering mountains and dense rainforest, while the longest stretch of beach lies along the eastern shore, where the main pier and a national park station are located. Visitors will find campsites and small shops in this area.
A special highlight is Sunset Beach on the island’s west side – a picturesque, roughly 100-metre-long sandy stretch that’s perfect for watching the sun dip below the horizon.
A scenic hiking trail, about one kilometre long, runs from the eastern beach over gentle hills to Sunset Beach, offering one of the most breathtaking sunsets you’ll find anywhere in the region.
It’s no surprise that Lonely Planet named Sunset Beach one of the “Top 10 Best Beaches” in the world for 2025, while the World Beach Guide crowned it the best beach globally in both 2023 and 2024.
Getting there:
A boat ride from Pak Meng Pier, Kuan Tung Ku Pier, or Had Yao Pier will take you to Koh Kradan. The nearest and quickest option is Kuan Tung Ku Pier, with the journey typically lasting between 45 minutes and 1 hour. Chartering a boat for 10 to 15 people usually costs between 1,400 and 1,800 baht per trip.
Many local tour operators also offer boat trips to Koh Kradan and neighbouring islands, some including transfers from Trang town, Trang train station, or Trang airport.
Huay To Waterfall, Krabi Province
The Huay To Waterfall is located in Khao Phanom Bencha National Park and is an impressive waterfall originating from the Phanom Bencha mountain range. It consists of five distinct tiers: Wang Sam Hab, Wang Jong Loy, Wang Doi Prong, Wang Tewada, and Wang Ton Priew.
While some of the tiers soar between 70 and 80 metres high, the first one has a lovely pool that’s perfect for a refreshing swim. For those feeling adventurous, there are hiking trails up to the higher falls – but it’s best to take care along the way.
The Huay To Waterfall flows year-round, with especially strong currents during the rainy season, particularly around the cliffs. In the dry season, the water volume is lower. The waterfall is easily accessible via a short walk from the national park headquarters.
The national park also features several charming smaller waterfalls nearby, including the three-tiered Huay Sa-de Waterfall just 300 metres from the headquarters, as well as Huay Niang and Bang Saran waterfalls. Visitors can explore various viewpoints, the Khao Phueng Cave, natural springs, nature trails, and trekking routes leading up to the summit of Phanom Bencha.
Khao Phanom Bencha National Park is located in the Mueang district of Krabi and offers accommodations, campsites, restaurants, and restroom facilities.
Contact: 075 660 716-17 (headquarters) or 061 232 4901 (service centre).
The Sompong Tree, Krabi Province
The magnificent Sompong Tree, around 120 years old, is a unique landmark near the Huay To Waterfall.
After turning off towards the waterfall and crossing the bridge at the Chao Mae Khao Phanom Bencha Shrine, a short climb of about 300 metres leads up to the first tier of the waterfall – and to this unforgettable highlight.
Khao Ta Pu (James Bond Island), Phang Nga Province
Khao Ta Pu, better known as James Bond Island, is part of Ao Phang Nga National Park. The famous island lies in the northern part of the bay near Koh Khao Phing Kan, southwest of the national park headquarters and about 15 kilometres along the Khlong Ko Panyi.
This solitary, slender rock formation, wider at the top and narrower at the base, strikingly resembles a crab’s eye. Geologically, it is classified as a “sea stack.”
For safety and conservation reasons, Khao Ta Pu can only be viewed from a distance – either by boat or from the sandbank of Koh Khao Phing Kan. Visitors are not permitted to set foot on the island itself. The most peaceful and stunning views are found from Koh Khao Phing Kan.
Ao Phang Nga National Park
Ao Phang Nga National Park spans three districts (Takua Thung, Ko Yao, and Mueang) and is a coastal national park renowned for its breathtaking coastline and rich mangrove forests. It covers around 40 islands east of Phuket and is home to iconic natural wonders such as Khao Phing Kan, Khao Ta Pu, and Tham Lot (Lod Cave).
Ao Phang Nga National Park in the Mueang Phang Nga district charges an entrance fee of 60 baht for Thai adults (30 baht for children) and 300 baht for foreign adults (100 baht for children). The park offers accommodations and campsites priced between 800 and 1,000 baht, as well as restaurants, souvenir shops, and restroom facilities. Contact: 076 481 188.
Getting there:
Day trips are offered from the piers in Phang Nga and Phuket. Alternatively, you can charter a boat from various piers in Phang Nga, including Tha Dan Pier (Mueang Phang Nga), Surakul Pier (Takua Thung), or Ban Hin Rom Pier (Takua Thung).
The Morakot Cave, also known as Emerald Cave, located on the western coast of Koh Mook in Trang Province
Morakot Cave is located on the west side of Koh Mook in Hat Chao Mai National Park and offers a truly unique experience. Visitors must swim in a group through a roughly 80-metre-long dark tunnel from the cave entrance to enter.
As you emerge, sunlight reflects off the water, bathing it in a stunning emerald glow. Beyond the tunnel lies a spacious cave chamber with a pristine white sandy beach, surrounded by towering cliffs and filled with natural light.
Hat Chao Mai Nationalpark
Hat Chao Mai National Park is located in the Sikao district of Trang and can be reached at 075 829 967 (headquarters) or 080 572 2583 (visitor centre).
Entrance fees are 40 baht for Thai adults (20 baht for children) and 200 baht for foreign adults (100 baht for children). Please note that the Koh Mook area within the park is closed annually from 1 June to 30 September for conservation efforts.
Getting there:
Boats can be chartered from Pak Meng Pier in the Sikao district, with the journey taking about 40 minutes. Alternatively, tour operators near Pak Meng Pier offer day trips, or you can charter boats from Kuan Tung Ku Pier in the Kantang district to Morakot Cave.