Tourism James Bond Museum Fiasco: A Costly 40 Million Baht Blunder

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Good Trips Thailand Travel Agency

 

In a stunning mishap, a museum in Phang Nga honouring James Bond has turned into an unfortunate spectacle, as the 40-million-baht attraction succumbed to neglect just a day after its grand opening.

 

Intended to pay homage to "The Man with the Golden Gun," the James Bond Museum shuttered its doors immediately after its debut, never to open again. Now, a year later, it stands as a dilapidated reminder of wasted resources and bureaucratic excess.

 

“This was never a real plan. It was just a flashy idea with no follow-through,” commented People’s Party MP Phakamon Nunan during a sharp parliamentary inspection this week. “There has to be accountability. We can’t just pour millions into vanity projects and walk away.”

 

The Department of Tourism backed the facility, located on state land, hoping to capitalise on the enduring draw of James Bond Island. Yet, there was no operating budget, no staff, inadequate marketing, and no clarity about who would manage it post-construction.

 

Local residents were left out of the loop during the planning process. When Phakamon and other officials visited on Monday, June 30th, they encountered broken displays, peeling paint, and an overgrowth of vegetation. Inside was a further disappointment—flimsy cardboard cut-outs and imitation props devoid of any real memorabilia.

 

“It was all surface,” Phakamon remarked. “No real substance. Just a hollow concept dressed up to impress.”

 

This debacle underscores persistent issues with top-down planning in Thailand. While the Department of Tourism handled the building phase, funds for upkeep and staffing were overlooked. Additionally, there was no effort to connect with tour agencies or draw tourists from the nearby islands.

 

After its opening, responsibility for the site bounced between government bodies. The Treasury Department attempted to lease the premises to local authorities for 100,000 baht annually, yet municipal officials declined, deeming the project a failure from the start.

 

Phakamon is advocating for reform, insisting on a new approach grounded in local engagement. “It’s not enough to build,” she asserted. “You have to maintain, operate, and adapt. Otherwise, you’re just wasting taxpayer money.”

 

Today, the James Bond Museum stands as a stark emblem of a flawed system—one that erects but never sustains, leaving dreams to fade when there is no commitment to see them through.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-03

 

 

[Enoon]

“It was all surface,” Phakamon remarked. “No real substance. Just a hollow concept dressed up to impress"

 

A statement that invites an infinite number of comments comparing and contrasting what seems to be promised with what is actually delivered by  "The Thailand Experience".

 

😉

 

 

[bg53]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“It was all surface,” Phakamon remarked.

 

Therefore, graft has been ruled out?

[ChrisY1]

9 hours ago, bg53 said:

 

Therefore, graft has been ruled out?

Of course ! How could graft possibly be involved ib this fake scam!?

[happysoul]

Surprizing ! 😉

 

Now (who's) what's next ? Land bridge ? 

 

But too bad for that museum as the idea is good. Get original collectibles from the movie, some original footage (raw images of Thailand taken at the time), ask Tussaud museum for Sean Connery replica, etc.

 

But for that you cannot have money falling off the table

[CanadaSam]

So, who is going to jail for this 40 million baht farce?

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In a stunning mishap, a museum in Phang Nga honouring James Bond has turned into an unfortunate spectacle, as the 40-million-baht attraction succumbed to neglect just a day after its grand opening.

I'm sure it wasn't all wasted....

[klauskunkel]

kind of reminds me of Rajabhakti Park in Hua Hin during Prayut/Prawit, that one did cost one billion...

Rajabhakti Park

[Surasak]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Good Trips Thailand Travel Agency

 

In a stunning mishap, a museum in Phang Nga honouring James Bond has turned into an unfortunate spectacle, as the 40-million-baht attraction succumbed to neglect just a day after its grand opening.

 

Intended to pay homage to "The Man with the Golden Gun," the James Bond Museum shuttered its doors immediately after its debut, never to open again. Now, a year later, it stands as a dilapidated reminder of wasted resources and bureaucratic excess.

 

“This was never a real plan. It was just a flashy idea with no follow-through,” commented People’s Party MP Phakamon Nunan during a sharp parliamentary inspection this week. “There has to be accountability. We can’t just pour millions into vanity projects and walk away.”

 

The Department of Tourism backed the facility, located on state land, hoping to capitalise on the enduring draw of James Bond Island. Yet, there was no operating budget, no staff, inadequate marketing, and no clarity about who would manage it post-construction.

 

Local residents were left out of the loop during the planning process. When Phakamon and other officials visited on Monday, June 30th, they encountered broken displays, peeling paint, and an overgrowth of vegetation. Inside was a further disappointment—flimsy cardboard cut-outs and imitation props devoid of any real memorabilia.

 

“It was all surface,” Phakamon remarked. “No real substance. Just a hollow concept dressed up to impress.”

 

This debacle underscores persistent issues with top-down planning in Thailand. While the Department of Tourism handled the building phase, funds for upkeep and staffing were overlooked. Additionally, there was no effort to connect with tour agencies or draw tourists from the nearby islands.

 

After its opening, responsibility for the site bounced between government bodies. The Treasury Department attempted to lease the premises to local authorities for 100,000 baht annually, yet municipal officials declined, deeming the project a failure from the start.

 

Phakamon is advocating for reform, insisting on a new approach grounded in local engagement. “It’s not enough to build,” she asserted. “You have to maintain, operate, and adapt. Otherwise, you’re just wasting taxpayer money.”

 

Today, the James Bond Museum stands as a stark emblem of a flawed system—one that erects but never sustains, leaving dreams to fade when there is no commitment to see them through.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-03

 

 

Phakamon remarked. “No real substance. Just a hollow concept dressed up to impress.”

 Like so much more we see here!

[bendejo]

The plain!  The plane! 

oops . . . .

 

[crazykopite]

Just like the Chinese submarines with no engines!

[Look Chang]

Goldfinger . . . 

[ujayujay]

 

[khunPer]

I think that "The Man with the Golden Gun" movie is so yesterday now that nobody cares anymore, young folks don't know the film and would likely be extremely disappointed if they did...

[Aussie999]

4 hours ago, happysoul said:

Surprizing ! 😉

 

Now (who's) what's next ? Land bridge ? 

 

But too bad for that museum as the idea is good. Get original collectibles from the movie, some original footage (raw images of Thailand taken at the time), ask Tussaud museum for Sean Connery replica, etc.

 

But for that you cannot have money falling off the table

The movie is far too old, most 40+ yo travellers would never heard of it, so why would they go to a "museum," I  Thailand, I also suspect many tourists would not know who James Bond is.

[wensiensheng]

“While the Department of Tourism handled the building phase, funds for upkeep and staffing were overlooked.”

 

Just like every single other municipal project in Thailand. No ongoing maintenance.

[kingstonkid]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Good Trips Thailand Travel Agency

 

In a stunning mishap, a museum in Phang Nga honouring James Bond has turned into an unfortunate spectacle, as the 40-million-baht attraction succumbed to neglect just a day after its grand opening.

 

Intended to pay homage to "The Man with the Golden Gun," the James Bond Museum shuttered its doors immediately after its debut, never to open again. Now, a year later, it stands as a dilapidated reminder of wasted resources and bureaucratic excess.

 

“This was never a real plan. It was just a flashy idea with no follow-through,” commented People’s Party MP Phakamon Nunan during a sharp parliamentary inspection this week. “There has to be accountability. We can’t just pour millions into vanity projects and walk away.”

 

The Department of Tourism backed the facility, located on state land, hoping to capitalise on the enduring draw of James Bond Island. Yet, there was no operating budget, no staff, inadequate marketing, and no clarity about who would manage it post-construction.

 

Local residents were left out of the loop during the planning process. When Phakamon and other officials visited on Monday, June 30th, they encountered broken displays, peeling paint, and an overgrowth of vegetation. Inside was a further disappointment—flimsy cardboard cut-outs and imitation props devoid of any real memorabilia.

 

“It was all surface,” Phakamon remarked. “No real substance. Just a hollow concept dressed up to impress.”

 

This debacle underscores persistent issues with top-down planning in Thailand. While the Department of Tourism handled the building phase, funds for upkeep and staffing were overlooked. Additionally, there was no effort to connect with tour agencies or draw tourists from the nearby islands.

 

After its opening, responsibility for the site bounced between government bodies. The Treasury Department attempted to lease the premises to local authorities for 100,000 baht annually, yet municipal officials declined, deeming the project a failure from the start.

 

Phakamon is advocating for reform, insisting on a new approach grounded in local engagement. “It’s not enough to build,” she asserted. “You have to maintain, operate, and adapt. Otherwise, you’re just wasting taxpayer money.”

 

Today, the James Bond Museum stands as a stark emblem of a flawed system—one that erects but never sustains, leaving dreams to fade when there is no commitment to see them through.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-03

 

 

Soundslike a USAID PROJECT LOL

 

Seriously head should roll if not now at least at election time.  Who were the elected people who got their packets enlarged?

[PETERTHEEATER]

With no air conditioning, the wax figure of James Bond has suffered.....

 

[watchcat]

On 7/4/2025 at 2:16 AM, CanadaSam said:

So, who is going to jail for this 40 million baht farce?

 

The navy officers

 

For much more money spent on useless submarines whitout engines

[Harrisfan]

20 hours ago, khunPer said:

I think that "The Man with the Golden Gun" movie is so yesterday now that nobody cares anymore, young folks don't know the film and would likely be extremely disappointed if they did...

21yos don't know who James Bond is. So 1980s now. The last 20 years of Bond have been rubbish.

[lamyai3]

On 7/4/2025 at 8:51 AM, bendejo said:

The plain!  The plane! 

oops . . . .

 

 

Hervé Villechaize (Nick Nack) went through 35 hookers during the film shoot - Roger Moore called him a "diseased sex maniac with unnatural lusts"...

[Ralf001]

Just now, lamyai3 said:

 

Hervé Villechaize (Nick Nack) went through 35 hookers during the film shoot - Roger Moore called him a "diseased sex maniac with unnatural lusts"...

 

And shot himself when he was told of the disease he caught !

[fredwiggy]

21 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

21yos don't know who James Bond is. So 1980s now. The last 20 years of Bond have been rubbish.

A large majority of people, especially the younger crowd, know who James Bond is, both by the two movies filmed here , Tomorrow Never Dies and The Man With the Golden Gun, and the latter ones now that have been in movie theaters here, with Daniel Craig. Thais love western action movies, as movies here pale by comparison to western ones, and they're on Mono 29 daily. In fact I'm watching Moonraker with my daughter now, and she knows who James Bond is as I have all of the movies, and we're watching them in order, as she loves action films herself.

[Harrisfan]

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

A large majority of people, especially the younger crowd, know who James Bond is, both by the two movies filmed here , Tomorrow Never Dies and The Man With the Golden Gun, and the latter ones now that have been in movie theaters here, with Daniel Craig. Thais love western action movies, as movies here pale by comparison to western ones, and they're on Mono 29 daily. In fact I'm watching Moonraker with my daughter now, and she knows who James Bond is as I have all of the movies, and we're watching them in order, as she loves action films herself.

Most 21yo farangs dont know who Sean Connery or Roger Moore is. Thais love movies cause they are too lazy to do anything else.

[banyanman]

Probably cost 10 million to build and someone got 30 million richer from the project. 

[fredwiggy]

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Most 21yo farangs dont know who Sean Connery or Roger Moore is. Thais love movies cause they are too lazy to do anything else.

No, they know Daniel Craig as Bond from the last few movies.

[Harrisfan]

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

No, they know Daniel Craig as Bond from the last few movies.

Worst Bond ever. Do they know who Iggy Pop is? Do they know who BB King is? Most 40yos don't even know who Albert Collins was. It is downright embarrassing how bad culture is now. Utter disgrace.

[fredwiggy]

Just now, Harrisfan said:

Worst Bond ever. Do they know who Iggy Pop is? Do they know who BB King is?

Fact is, most Thais will never know the majority of good music or movies. even seeing western movies are very popular here. Older movies aren't shown, and only the musicians, who get a lot of their tablature from western music, know older western music, besides those who have foreign husbands or long term boyfriends, who listen to music in their autos. My girlfriend here likes a lot of the music I have, which is more Cd's than most can imagine, with people and bands like Mark Knopfler, Neal Casal, Enya, Dire Straits, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Simon and Garfunkel, Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, The Troggs, April Wine, John Cougar, Pat McGee, and many others, most of which most Thais will never hear.

[fredwiggy]

11 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Worst Bond ever. Do they know who Iggy Pop is? Do they know who BB King is? Most 40yos don't even know who Albert Collins was. It is downright embarrassing how bad culture is now. Utter disgrace.

To add, many people worldwide will never know most of the best music that's out there, as pop gathers a lot of people because of the shows, and many teens look up to trashy pop starts because they see them making millions selling pap with little heart and only flash and light shows and dancing. There are many excellent progressive rock bands with excellent musicians that will never make it to the "Rock Hall of Fame", and even some older bands still aren't in it while some crapola is. 

[lamyai3]

The Man with the Golden Gun theme tune almost went to Alice Cooper, but they brought the recording in a day too late and it got signed to Lulu instead. Christopher Lee (who played Scaramanga) was very disappointed, saying "Oh man, why did we take the Lulu song? This song is the one!"