In the heart of Thon Buri district in Bangkok lies Talat Phlu, a Thai-Chinese neighborhood where time moves to the rhythm of quaint everyday life. Mornings here begin with the smell of grilled pork, the rumble of trains, and the warmth of neighbors greeting each other.
Since 2024, these streets have found new fame. Talat Phlu became a backdrop in “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”, the Thai hit that moved audiences across Asia and earned more than 73 million dollars worldwide.
Fans now walk the same alleys looking for the spots they saw on screen, from food stalls to corners and the railway line that has become as cinematic as the story itself.
A neighborhood in the spotlight
From local shops to family-run food stalls, Talat Phlu has turned into both a film location and a living attraction where cinema and real life meet.
“Yes, there’s been a bigger change. Besides Thai youth coming to follow the spots, there are many foreigners as well—people from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and also Malaysia and Indonesia,” says Surapong Tulyakul, a long-time vendor.
“It’s made everything better. People stop by to eat and buy snacks and other things. It’s good; the community earns more income. Overall, we try to preserve the original landscape. It’s nice when people come to take photos and so on,” he adds.
“It’s good. More people now know Talat Phlu. It’s an old community with a lot of heritage, and this helps spread that culture as well.”
At another stall, Montien Pojjanasattayaveroj recalls how the film crew turned his alley into a set. “It’s brought a flow of people into the alley to film. They also film at the shrine, inside the shrine as well. You can film the views around here all day. It’s not quiet or lonely anymore,” he says.
“Visitors come from Hong Kong and Singapore; there are plenty of beautiful spots. They come to take photos and such. They don’t bother anyone. They come, shoot, and leave. It’s fun and keeps the place from being dull.”
“I didn’t expect it. Many visitors ask, ‘Where did they shoot? Which spot?’ ‘Which lead acto? Billkin?’ Yes, Billkin—he stood shooting right in front of this door. I still have his photo. I even rode a motorcycle with him—so happy to have ridden pillion with Billkin. The lead actor is handsome. The whole film crew was here; it was bustling here.”
For many residents, the film’s success has brought pride and change. Markets are busier, small shops see new customers, and long-time vendors are now part of a story that has traveled far beyond Thailand.
Fans retracing the story
Among the visitors are fans who discovered Talat Phlu through the film.
MJ Pamposa, from the Philippines, says her visit was spontaneous but deeply personal.
“Actually, initially it wasn't part of my trip plan. But I searched that it was nearby my hotel. And I realized that I wanted to visit the place because of the movie How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. And I'm such a big fan of it. So I decided to visit it and search everywhere,” she says.
“The film made me not sad, actually. It made me realize how to give importance to the elderly, especially my Lola and my Lolo. I really love them. And this made me realize that I shouldn't take granted the time that I have with them. Because time flies so fast. So I have to take care of them and give importance to them.”
“Actually, the place is not familiar to me. But it felt familiar in my heart. Because the movie showed how the community here in Talat Phlu makes it so homey. The people are very accommodating, they are very friendly. And the neighborhood is very homey. That's all.”
Nguyen Hoang Mai, from Vietnam, felt like she was stepping into the movie.
“It’s great. It’s wonderful. It’s a wonderful place and it’s a great opportunity to discover and like, know more about local Thai culture, she says.
“I feel like the people here, they're very kind and like when I go to each shop, they like say hi. Yeah, I love that. And I also love milk tea. It tastes good.”
For fans, every photo and every plate of food is a small connection to a story that touched their hearts.
Film, identity and soft power
Experts say this connection between film and place reflects the growing strength of Thai storytelling.
“Of course, I think the movie industry contributes a lot to the image and soft power of a country because this is how you portray your country’s perception towards the world,” says Dr. Jessada Salathong, lecturer at Chulalongkorn University.
“If we look at a country as a brand, we call this country branding. Media like this, movies, series, documentaries, have a lot of impact in shaping people’s perception toward a country.”
He notes that the film succeeded on two levels, both commercially and culturally.
“We can see that this movie enjoyed a lot of viewership around the world, especially in Asia,” he says. “It was also internationally awarded, nominated from Thailand in the Oscars, and went the furthest in Thai film history, almost to the final.”
“It spread Thailand’s soft power or the image of Thailand toward audiences around the world. It showed that we are diverse, a melting pot of cultures, not only gender diversity but also multiculturalism. And that’s a powerful message.”
Dr. Jessada adds that the rise of film tourism in Talat Phlu shows how cinema can bring visibility to everyday communities.
“After the movie, people wanted to come visit Talat Phlu. It’s such a hidden residential area. Not like Siam or Chatuchak. Only locals knew it before. Now people come not to shop but to absorb the atmosphere, to feel the lifestyle.”
He says Talat Phlu’s case stands apart from the over-tourism seen elsewhere.
“I haven’t heard complaints about losing privacy or too many tourists. Maybe because the area is small, and visitors come not to take selfies but to absorb the feeling from the film. Talat Phlu offers good street food, like the porridge the grandmother ate. People go to experience that, not to turn it into a tourist spot.”
A living film set
As the sun sets over Talat Phlu, the final train rumbles past the tracks. Vendors pack up stalls, children play by the alleys, and families share dinner on porches as warm light fills the neighborhood.
Here, the line between movie and memory blurs. Each sound, corner and smile becomes part of a living film that continues even after the cameras stop rolling.
For residents, visitors and filmmakers alike, Bangkok’s streets are not just locations. They are stories waiting to be told. Talat Phlu is one of them.
