The Beach Hits Phuket

Producers of the controversial movie The Beach, featuring superstar Leonardo DiCaprio, are seeking permission from authorities to film a number of scenes in Phuket. Film-makers want to shoot scenes in a shoe factory in Baan Manic from February 27 to March 17; at Cape Promthep March 3; Naithon Nui Beach on March 18; Surin Beach from March 19-22; Kata Beach and Patak Rd in Karon from March 23-25; the On On hotel on Phang Nga Rd from March 28-29; Phuket International Airport on March 30; and at Ao Po pier, also on March 30. They then want to return to the shoe factory at Baan Manic from March 31 until 10 April. Producers did not say whether DiCaprio would be involved in any of the scenes. The making of The Beach has raised the ire of Thailand’s conservation movement who claim that the filming of major sequences of the movie in Maya Bay on Phi Phi Ley will cause environmental damage. The Law Society of Thailand, acting for 19 plaintiffs from Krabi, has filed a civil suit against the Agricultural Ministry, the Royal Forestry Department and film-maker 20th Century Fox in an effort to halt filming at Maya Bay.