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Thailand
This Week in AsiaLifestyle & Culture

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

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A scene from The Man with the Golden Gun, a James Bond film shot in various locations, including Thailand. Photo: TomYumThailand/YouTube
SCMP’s Asia desk
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.

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“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.”

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

Tourists arriving at James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay, northeast of Phuket. Photo: AFP
Tourists arriving at James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay, northeast of Phuket. Photo: AFP
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