TAT Highlights Thailand’s Scenic Locations Through “Amazing Location: From Scene to Scenic” Features International Artist Caelan Moriarty and His Inspiration to Explore Nan
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues to showcase the potential of Thailand’s destinations through its “Amazing Location: From Scene to Scenic” campaign, inviting travellers to discover the country from a fresh perspective. The initiative connects film, music and creative productions with distinctive destinations known for their striking natural landscapes, rich culture and local traditions. More than beautiful backdrops for filming, these locations offer experiences that can spark new ideas and inspire creative storytelling. As part of the campaign, Japanese American artist Caelan Moriarty travelled to Nan, a province in northern Thailand, to explore its scenic locations and discover new sources of inspiration. In an exclusive interview conducted ahead of the trip, Caelan shared his thoughts on music, travel and the influence of unfamiliar places on his creative work.
Caelan Moriarty is an international artist whose career spans music and fashion. A former member of the Japanese boy band INTERSECTION under Avex, he also gained recognition through the Chinese talent competition CHUANG 2021 and has since pursued a solo music career. One of his connections to Thailand is “Feel Like”, a collaboration with Thai artist Tobii. The two first met at ComplexCon, where their shared interests in music and style brought them together. Their connection eventually developed into a musical collaboration blending R&B and hip hop, reflecting the individual styles and cultural influences of both artists.
Thailand was also chosen as the setting for the visual accompaniment to “Feel Like”. Beyond working with Tobii, Caelan said his longstanding relationship with Thai fans played an important role in the decision. “I’ve had Thai fans supporting me since I was in INTERSECTION. When I started working with Tobii, I thought it would be a great opportunity to create something together in Thailand and connect more with my Thai fans. I’ve also been looking for a chance to travel in Thailand,” Caelan shared.
Following his experience working in Thailand, Caelan had the opportunity to explore another side of the country through TAT’s “Amazing Location: From Scene to Scenic” campaign. His journey took him to Nan, a northern province he had never visited before, with highlights including Road No. 3, Doi Phu Kha National Park, Hin Hua Ling’s National Rock Garden and Nan National Museum. These locations offered a glimpse of the province’s distinctive natural landscapes and scenic surroundings. Although Nan was unfamiliar to him, photographs of its scenery had already captured his interest ahead of the trip. He saw the journey as an opportunity to step away from his everyday routine, explore new surroundings and seek inspiration beyond the places he already knew.
“I feel really lucky that being an artist gives me the chance to introduce people to new things, whether that’s art or destinations. I’d never been to Nan before. Honestly, I’d never even heard of it. But when I saw the photos, I really wanted to go not just for a holiday, but also to find inspiration for my work. The scenery looks beautiful, and I think there’s so much to explore.”
Reflecting on his expectations before the journey, Caelan explained that he prefers to let unfamiliar destinations surprise him rather than researching every detail in advance. He had imagined that Nan’s scenery and atmosphere might make him feel as though he had stepped into a film.
For Caelan, the appeal of a destination goes beyond its beauty. He believes that surroundings can influence the way artists think, feel and create. “I think our surroundings really shape who we are. Even when we’re creating art, it’s not just about the destination itself. It’s also about the people around us. I really believe going to Nan will inspire me. There’s something about the place that makes me excited, and I feel like there are so many stories waiting to be discovered,” he explained.
Before travelling to Nan, Caelan also spoke about the simple moments he hoped to enjoy during the trip, such as finding a quiet place surrounded by nature, sitting down with an iced coffee, his laptop and a notebook, and taking time to reflect. For him, such moments offer an opportunity to clear his mind and make room for new creative ideas.
Caelan also expressed his interest in exploring Thailand beyond its most familiar destinations, particularly experiencing local traditions and discovering ways of life outside major cities. “When my friends and I plan trips to Thailand, we usually talk about the places everyone knows. But we actually love exploring places that people don’t talk about as much because we want to discover something new. I want to experience real Thai culture and see the difference between life in the countryside and life in the city. If I have a great time in Nan, I’ll definitely tell my friends that we have to come here next time,” he said.
Caelan Moriarty’s visit to Nan reflects the vision behind TAT’s “Amazing Location: From Scene to Scenic” campaign, which promotes Thailand’s potential as a destination for international film, music video and creative productions. From scenic landscapes and cultural heritage to distinctive local communities, Thailand offers a wide range of locations that can inspire stories on screen. By connecting these places with the imagination of artists and filmmakers, the campaign aims to introduce Thailand to global audiences in new ways, while encouraging travellers to discover the real destinations behind the stories and experience their unique appeal firsthand.
