You must be a Nicolas Winding Refn or Ryan Gosling super-fan if you’re hunting out the Only God Forgives filming locations in Bangkok, Thailand. I’m not judging! It just seems to be a very forgettable film to most film fans. But every obscure film obtains a cult following eventually.

Only God Forgives (2013) was released only two years after the Wolf Pack terrorised Bangkok in The Hangover Part II (2011) and similarly chose to focus on Bangkok’s criminal underworld. Albeit, in a completely different style and tone.

The neo-noir Only God Forgives (2013) follows Ryan Gosling’s Julian as the owner of a Muay Thai boxing ring which acts as a front for his drug smuggling business. When his brother rapes and murders an underage prostitute and is subsequently murdered himself, Julian must deal with his mother attempting to seek revenge.

Here is all the Only God Forgives filming locations in Bangkok that I could find.

Only God Forgives Filming Locations in Bangkok

1. Rangsit Boxing Stadium

The Rangsit Boxing Stadium in Bangkok stands in for the Muay Thai ring that Julian owns. We see it several times throughout the film, most notably at the beginning where we’re shown first hand just how the drug dealing operation works.

2. Emporium Suites

The hotel that Crystal, Julian’s mum, is seen checking into in Only God Forgives is the swanky Emporium Suites by Chatrium. If you do stay at this hotel, just don’t treat the staff how Crystal treats the staff. What is it with entitled people and treating service workers like crap?!

A few smaller scenes are shot in the Nana area of Bangkok just off Sukhumvit road, and you can determine this from the array of neon signs. In particular, when Julian thinks he sees Chang and starts following him through some streets stalls, that takes place on Soi NaNa Nuea. 

A few other Only God Forgives filming locations I’m not sure about…

So, those are the few Only God Forgives film locations I’m completely sure about.

However, I do know that the production wanted to be as authentic as possible. So, the many scenes which take place in a Gentlemen’s Club are quite certainly filmed in an actual Gentlemen’s Club. However, there are a strict ‘no women allowed’ rules for these kinds of clubs so I wonder whether that was lifted for the filming. Surely, most of the women were actresses (not real life prostitutes) and if any member of the crew were female that would have been a problem.

I’m also quite certain that the restaurant where the Police officer Chang was almost killed was in Chinatown. The art on the walls, the lanterns and just the overall look of the place makes me think it was Chinatown. But, that’s just a guess.

And those are the Only God Forgives filming locations in Bangkok, Thailand! Have you visited Bangkok? Let me know in the comments below! 

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