James Bond museum in Thailand misfires, closing after only 1 day

The US$1.2 million museum in Phang Nga, based on the film ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’, has drawn criticism from a lawmaker and residents

The closure of a US$1.2 million James Bond museum aimed at wooing more tourists to southern Thailand after opening for only one day has prompted a lawmaker to call it a pointless project “dressed up to impress” and demand accountability from officials.

The state-funded attraction in Phang Nga, a tribute to The Man with the Golden Gun for showcasing the kingdom’s multiple locations in the 1974 film, was built a year ago.

But the museum has since become an eyesore, with its leaky roofs, broken exhibits and paint peeling off the walls.

“This was never a real plan. It was just a flashy idea with no follow-through,” said MP Phakamon Nunan, who revealed the museum’s neglected condition after inspecting it on Monday.

“There has to be accountability. We can’t just pour millions into vanity projects and walk away.”

The administrators believed the decades-long appeal of nearby islands featured in the film would draw tourists to visit the museum, according to Phakamon.

Their hopes of turning the museum into a tourist magnet were dashed as it was shut down without any reason given after just one day of operation, stoking anger among locals who questioned why it was left to rot.

According to Thai Examiner, the museum was home to low-cost models, large-sized standees of James Bond characters and did not have any original items from the Roger Moore-starred film.

Locals were not consulted on the project while the museum’s collapse happened because no marketing efforts were made to let tourists know its existence, Phakamon said.

The museum had “no real substance, just a hollow concept dressed up to impress”, she added.

A visiting delegation led by her has recommended steps, including a potential relaunch, to salvage the museum.

Phakamon urged the government to devise a long-term strategy and engage with the local community.

“It’s not enough to build,” she told Thai Examiner. “You have to maintain, operate and adapt. Otherwise, you’re just wasting taxpayer money.”

Thailand has long banked on Hollywood films shot in the country to boost tourism – a main driver of its economy – with the latest being Jurassic World Rebirth, which highlights exotic spots in the southern part of the kingdom.

The production house behind the dinosaur-themed film has injected about US$12 million into the local economy and employed more than 2,000 Thai workers, according to a tourism department official.

Thailand welcomed over 16 million visitors in the first half of this year, a 4.6 per cent decline compared with the same period in 2024.