Recently, no television show has sparked more interest in luxury travel than ‘The White Lotus.’ The series, featuring murder, scandal, stunning beaches, and wealthy tourists at their worst, has hooked viewers around the world.
The first two seasons of this darkly comedic drama, written and directed by Mike White, unfolded in opulent hotels located in Hawaii and Sicily. In each season, both guests and staff undergo significant changes over a week as the hidden realities of their seemingly perfect lives come to light.
The award-winning HBO series’ third season, debuting on February 16, promises more excitement, set in another top travel destination: Thailand.
This season’s lineup includes Carrie Coon, Michelle Monaghan, Jason Isaacs, Leslie Bibb, Walton Goggins, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Thailand’s own K-pop icon, Lalisa ‘Lisa’ Manobal. Natasha Rothwell, a favorite from season one, returns as spa manager Belinda.
Anticipation is high. Fans have been analyzing trailers and identifying locations ranging from Koh Samui, the main setting, to other beloved spots like Bangkok and Phuket.
HBO recently detailed many of the filming sites used in season three, enabling fans to plan their own White Lotus-inspired trips. As Lalisa’s character “Mook” states in the trailer, “I hope you enjoy Thailand.”
Koh Samui Shoot Locations
Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand, is the country’s second-largest island after Phuket, known for its pristine white beaches and luxury resorts, several of which appear in the series.
Continuing the tradition, the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui plays a central role in season three, representing the fictional White Lotus Resort & Spa. (Previous seasons were also filmed at Four Seasons locations.)
HBO indicates that the resort’s luxurious pool villas, restaurants, outdoor areas, and fitness facilities will feature prominently in the season.
However, the series’ “White Lotus” bar is actually located at another luxury venue—the Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort’s Singing Bird Lounge.
To see the hotel’s lobby, security station, driveway, and jewelry store, visit Anantara Bophut Koh Samui, another resort by the same brand on the island.
Other locations on Samui highlighted in the new season’s trailer by HBO include Choeng Mon Beach, Am Samui Resort Taling Ngam, Wat Phu Khao Thong (a temple), the Dusit Dheva Cultural Center, Cape Fahn Hotel, and the Pi Samui Beach Club and Restaurant.
Koh Phangan’s Haad Rin Beach, famous for its Full Moon parties, is also featured. Additionally, HBO notes some arrival scenes were filmed at the beautiful Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park—a favorite day trip for visitors to Samui.
Phuket Makes an Appearance
Several scenes were filmed on Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, situated in the Andaman Sea. If you’re thrilled about the return of Belinda from season one, check out the Anantara Mai Khao Phuket resort, where many of her scenes were shot.
“White Lotus” dinner scenes took place at another luxury property—the Rosewood Phuket’s Ta Khai restaurant.
Other Phuket attractions featured in the series’ trailer, as highlighted by HBO, include Bangla Boxing, Ya Nui Beach, the Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, and Café Del Mar.
Additional arrival scenes were captured at Ko Lawa Yai, off Phuket’s coast near Phang Nga Bay, according to HBO.
Bangkok’s renowned Mandarin Oriental Hotel also appears in the trailer.
The White Lotus Effect
The announcement early in 2024 that the third season would be set in Thailand has led to much discussion about the show’s likely impact on tourism growth.
“We are honored to have amazing Thailand featured as the filming location for the highly anticipated upcoming season of ‘The White Lotus,’” stated Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool in a press release after the announcement.
“The kingdom’s exotic natural beauty, rich historical sites, and diverse landscapes are the perfect settings to share our fascinating culture, fantastic cuisine, top-notch wellness and luxury offerings, and most importantly our people and Thai hospitality.”
Several tour companies and resorts have already launched “White Lotus”-themed Thailand packages, while Hotels.com reports a 40% surge in searches for Koh Samui leading up to season three.
The island is expected to experience an even greater increase in interest in the upcoming weeks. According to Hotels.com, after the launch of “The White Lotus” Season Two, which was set at the San Domenico Palace, a Four Seasons Hotel in Italy, searches surged by 300%.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand notes that the country welcomed over 35 million international visitors in 2024, generating more than 1.8 trillion baht ($53.5 billion) in tourism revenue.
This year, it aims to attract between 39 and 40 million international visitors and generate 3 trillion baht in tourism revenue, returning to pre-pandemic visitor numbers.
