Britain’s best-selling ale brand John Smith’s ran a hugely successful No Nonsense TV ad campaign from 2002 to 2005

Director: Andy Morahan

Production Company: Paul Weiland Film Company

Client: John Smiths

Location: Koh Samui, Thailand

Location Brief: Luxurious & Exotic Hotel Resort with Stunning Infinity Pool and Island views

Pre-Internet Scouting: Finding Paradise for Andy Morahan’s Shoot in Thailand

Back before Google made everything instantly searchable, location scouting meant hours of poring over travel books and maps. When I was tasked with finding a resort in Thailand or Mexico to film for a week — with enough control to meet a tight production brief — the research felt like detective work.

That’s when I came across the stunning Royal Meridien Baan Taling Ngam on Koh Samui, Thailand (now known as the Intercontinental Hotel Koh Samui Resort). I flew out to recce the location, photographed every corner, and met with the hotel management to propose the filming schedule. Thankfully, they were on board.

Director Andy Morahan was leading the project — famous for Highlander III and iconic music videos for the likes of Michael Jackson, George Michael, and Guns N’ Roses.

One of the shoot’s quirks? We needed a black helicopter for the opening scenes, but none were available in Thailand. The resourceful locals wrapped a helicopter entirely in black tape, which is what you see on screen.

This experience was a brilliant reminder of how scouting isn’t just about finding a location — it’s about problem-solving, creativity, and making the impossible happen.

TVC: