Thai officials have cautioned the producers of the next "Jurassic World" movie to avoid damaging the country's beaches and national parks during their filming.
Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson is reportedly set to star in the seventh installment of the popular dinosaur franchise.
The Thai government has issued a stern warning to the producers of the upcoming "Jurassic World" film, emphasizing the importance of protecting the country's natural resources during filming. Scheduled to start next week and continue into July, the production will take place in various locations, including Bangkok and several national parks in Krabi, Phuket, Phang-nga, and Trang.
Among the picturesque sites selected for the shoot are the lush island of Ko Kradan and the Huay To waterfall in Khao Phanom Bencha National Park. While expressing honor at hosting the film crew, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan stressed the necessity for the production team to adhere to all environmental regulations.
"Compliance with relevant laws and regulations is strictly required, and the production must not harm natural resources and the environment," Phatcharavat stated in a message posted on the Department of National Parks' Facebook page.
This cautionary stance comes in the wake of the environmental backlash from the filming of the 2000 movie "The Beach," starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The production faced criticism for its impact on the pristine sands of Maya Bay on the island of Ko Phi Phi Leh, where the filmmakers altered the natural landscape by planting coconut trees and disturbing vegetation.
Athapol Charoenshunsa, head of the Department of National Parks, assured that officials would closely monitor the "Jurassic World" production to prevent any similar environmental damage.
Reports from The Hollywood Reporter in March indicated that Scarlett Johansson, 39, is in talks to lead the new dinosaur movie, directed by Gareth Edwards. Edwards' recent sci-fi action film "The Creator" was also partially filmed in Thailand.
The "Jurassic Park" series, which began with the 1993 film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Michael Crichton's novel, has been a monumental success. The franchise was revitalized with the 2015 release of "Jurassic World," continuing its legacy of blockbuster hits.