Maps of Movies

Operation Mekong (2016)

Where Operation Mekong says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

A Hong Kong-style action film built on a real river massacre, shot in four countries but not on the Mekong scenes it shows.

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Operation Mekong
Photo: CHAMRAT CHAROENKHET · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Scenes and places

Hell's Gate on the Mekong (2011)

Narration sets the scene: the Golden Triangle is a no man's land where drugs flow down the Mekong toward China. A stretch called Hell's Gate has long been plagued by pirates. Then two Chinese cargo ships are caught in an ambush there.

Set in Mekong River, Chiang Saen District (Golden Triangle) — The stretch of the Mekong the film calls Hell's Gate, where Chinese cargo ships come under attack. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Chiang Saen is a district of Chiang Rai Province where the Mekong meets the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.

The Thai army press conference (2011)

A Thai officer tells reporters his troops intercepted two Chinese cargo ships and traded fire with fishermen, finding 900,000 meth pills on board. Chinese police doubt the story and the Thai military will not release its evidence.

Set in Thai military press conference (location not stated in film) — Thai officers announce that crews of two Chinese ships were smuggling meth.

Real-world coverage: Thailand's prime minister said the film would be banned if found to damage the country.

Filmed at Bangkok, Thailand — Thailand (Bangkok) is listed as a filming location; the sources do not say which scene was shot here. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The ministry picks Gao Gang

Officials tell the Minister that the Thai military is holding all the evidence and Thai police cannot investigate. They propose Gao Gang, the stubborn captain of the Yunnan narcotics team, to lead a task force. Gao accepts on one condition: play it by the book.

Set in Ministry of Public Security, Beijing (inferred) — Officials discuss the case with the Minister of Public Security and choose a team leader. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Chen Baoguo plays the Minister of Public Security in the film.

Filmed at Beijing, China — Beijing is listed as a filming location; the sources do not say which scene was shot here. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Four nations, one task force

After a witness names drug lord Naw Khar, China pushes for joint patrols on the Mekong. Officers from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand announce a joint task force to capture him.

Set in Joint meeting of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand (location not stated in film) — Officers from four countries announce a joint operation task force.

Real-world: China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand did launch joint Mekong patrols after the 2011 killings.

Gao meets Fang on the old opium hills

Gao Gang and Fang Xinwu finally meet after years of exchanging intelligence. Fang shows him hills that were once opium farms and tells him a new crop has not changed the nature of the region.

Set in Farm in the Golden Triangle (location not stated in film) — Gao Gang meets intelligence officer Fang Xinwu on a farm in hills once planted with opium.

The Golden Triangle is the border area of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar long tied to opium.

The 15-minute extraction

The team plans to snatch a captive from a kingpin's town using a beer delivery truck, with only 15 minutes to do it. The target is not where the intel said, the plan falls apart, and Gao and Fang clash over who calls the shots.

Set in Golden Triangle Special Region (as named in the film) — A town run by local kingpins where the team tries to pull out a captured gang member.

The film places this town in the Special Region where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.

Filmed at Yunnan, China — scene not stated Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Penang, Malaysia — task force HQ and another place (per source) Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia — scene not stated Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Perak, Malaysia — scene not stated Google Maps · Apple Maps

Characters

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