James Bond Island History

Where Did James Bond Island Come From?

James Bond Island, officially called Koh Tapu, is located in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand. The name Koh Tapu means “Nail Island” in Thai, referring to its tall, narrow limestone rock that rises vertically from the sea. Long before becoming a tourist attraction, the island was known mainly to local fishermen and nearby communities.

The island gained international fame in 1974 after it appeared in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun, starring Roger Moore. In the movie, the dramatic limestone formations were used as the secret hideout of the villain, Francisco Scaramanga. Following the film’s worldwide release, travelers began calling Koh Tapu James Bond Island, and the name quickly became popular.

As tourism in the area increased, Phang Nga Bay developed into a major sightseeing destination. To protect the fragile limestone structure from erosion and damage caused by heavy foot traffic, Thai authorities later restricted direct access to Koh Tapu. Today, visitors view the iconic rock formation from nearby Khao Phing Kan, where several scenes from the movie were also filmed.

James Bond Island remains a well-known example of how international cinema helped introduce Thailand’s natural landscapes to the world and played a key role in shaping modern tourism in Phuket and Phang Nga Bay.