‘Doctor Climax (Dxktexr khilmæks pucchâ phâ seîyw),’ created by Ekachai Uekrongtham, is a Thai-language comedy-drama series set in 1970s Thailand. The story follows a dermatologist who writes a newspaper column about sex-related issues under the pseudonym “Doctor Climax.” The series dives into societal taboos while also showcasing the protagonist’s challenges in balancing his family life and affair. Alongside its intriguing plot, the series stands out with its rich historical setting, vibrant fashion, and gritty backdrops that authentically reflect the era. Let’s delve into the fascinating locations where this unique show was filmed.
Where Is ‘Doctor Climax’ Filmed?
The entire series is primarily filmed in Bangkok, Thailand, and its surrounding provinces. The Bangkok Metropolitan Region, known for its historical significance and cultural richness, serves as the main filming location. Despite Bangkok’s modern advancements, the production team faced the challenge of finding neighborhoods that could convincingly depict the 1970s. The filmmakers had to meticulously choose their spots and often relied on visual effects to enhance the period authenticity.
Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand
The Bangkok Metropolitan Region, which includes the capital city and nearby provinces, is the primary filming location for ‘Doctor Climax.’ This bustling metropolis offers a blend of ancient and modern architecture, making it an ideal backdrop for the series. The show’s creators used a mix of on-site filming and digital enhancement to transform the city into its 1970s counterpart. Key locations include historical buildings and vibrant streets that reflect the period’s essence, despite the modern infrastructure that surrounds them.
What Are the Notable Filming Locations in Bangkok?
One of the most prominent filming sites in the series is the Fazal Building, located at 1 Bamrung Mueang Road, San Chao Pho Sua, in the heart of Bangkok’s old town. This historical building, constructed in 1931 by Parsee merchants from the colonial Bombay State of British India, provides a strikingly authentic backdrop. Despite the historical feel of the area, modern structures and roads in the vicinity required the production team to use visual effects to maintain the show’s period accuracy.
How Did the Production Team Enhance the Historical Settings?
Creating a believable 1970s Bangkok posed significant challenges due to the city’s rapid modernization. The team from The Monk Studios, located at 50 1 Phatthanakan 17 Alley in Suan Luang, played a crucial role in digitally enhancing the scenes. Under the supervision of Danop Dharmaraksa and Jirawut Kemglad, visual effects and computer-generated graphics were meticulously applied to edit out contemporary elements, ensuring visual consistency and authenticity for the show.
What Challenges Did the Filmmakers Face in Recreating the 1970s?
Filming in a city that has evolved significantly since the 1970s, the production team had to be resourceful. Co-director Kongdej Jaturanrasamee highlighted the difficulty of finding period-accurate landscapes in modern Bangkok. For instance, they could film around a stretch of 10 shophouses that fit the era, but venturing further down the street would reveal modern elements that were out of place for the series’ historical setting. This necessitated a careful selection of filming sites and extensive use of digital enhancements.
Bangkok’s status as a hub for filming is on the rise, with global streaming giants like Netflix increasingly investing in local productions. This burgeoning industry not only highlights Thailand’s rich cultural backdrop but also showcases the country’s growing filmmaking capabilities. Apart from ‘Doctor Climax,’ other notable productions filmed in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region include Netflix’s ‘The Believers,’ ‘Hunger,’ ‘Once Upon a Star,’ and ‘Master of the House.’ HBO’s ‘The Sympathizer’ also utilized locations around Bangkok to recreate scenes from the 1960s and ’70s in wartime Vietnam.
Official Tailer
Frequently Asked Questions – Doctor Climax
Q: Where was ‘Doctor Climax’ filmed?
A: ‘Doctor Climax’ was primarily filmed in Bangkok, Thailand, and its surrounding provinces within the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. The show’s creators utilized various historical and modern locations around Bangkok to recreate the setting of 1970s Thailand. Notable locations include the Fazal Building in the old town and other sites where modern elements were digitally edited out to match the period’s aesthetic.
Q: What are the key filming locations in Bangkok for ‘Doctor Climax’?
A: Key filming locations in Bangkok include the Fazal Building at 1 Bamrung Mueang Road, and The Monk Studios in Suan Luang. The Fazal Building, a historical structure built by Parsee merchants, served as a significant backdrop, while The Monk Studios helped with visual effects to enhance the historical authenticity of the scenes.
Q: When was ‘Doctor Climax’ filmed?
A: ‘Doctor Climax’ was filmed in the year 2023, with production taking place over several months to accurately depict the 1970s setting of Bangkok. The filming involved a combination of on-site shooting and post-production visual effects to maintain the show’s period look.
Q: How did the production team reproduce a 1970s environment in contemporary Bangkok?
A: The production crew reproduced the 1970s setting by carefully picking places with historical elements and employing elaborate visual effects to remove modern features. Despite Bangkok’s rapid development, the filmmakers created a convincing period atmosphere by emphasizing ancient structures and digitally altering scenes to preserve consistency.
Q: When was ‘Doctor Climax’ released?
A: ‘Doctor Climax’ was released on Netflix on June 13, 2024.
