After captivating viewers with lavish settings in Hawaii and Sicily, “The White Lotus” returns for a third season in one of the world’s most beloved travel destinations—Thailand.
The Emmy-winning HBO show, created by Mike White, continues to mix intrigue, dark comedy, and satire, all set against stunning scenery and five-star amenities.
This time, the fictional White Lotus Resort & Spa is perched on the shores of Koh Samui, with additional filming in Bangkok and Phuket.
The cast features big names like Carrie Coon, Michelle Monaghan, Jason Isaacs, Leslie Bibb, Walton Goggins, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Thai K-pop star Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal. Fans will also be delighted to see the return of Natasha Rothwell, who reprises her role as spa employee Belinda.
With so many incredible backdrops on display, HBO has shared a rundown of the various filming locations so travelers can replicate their own “White Lotus” experience—minus the mayhem, of course.
Fair warning–minor spoilers ahead!
Koh Samui: A luxury island retreat
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is the nation’s second-largest island, known for its white sandy beaches and premium resorts. True to form, the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui once again takes center stage as the titular White Lotus property, in line with the show’s tradition of using Four Seasons hotels.
Viewers can catch glimpses of the resort’s swanky pool villas, communal spaces, and scenic fitness areas, including the famed Ratliff family villa where Victoria (Parker Posey) delivers some memorable one-liners.
But the luxurious Four Seasons isn’t the only Samui spot highlighted in the show. The real White Lotus bar is found at Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort’s Singing Bird Lounge, while the hotel security station scenes were filmed at another Anantara property—Anantara Bophut Koh Samui. This second resort also doubled as the jewelry store.
Meanwhile, the Buddhist monastery drawing the Ratliff family to the island is actually Wat Phu Khao Thong near Maenam Beach.
Fans can also watch the characters enjoy Songkran festivities at Fisherman’s Village, and the production team pieced together a lavish villa for one character using two different sites—Samujana Villa 12 on Koh Samui and Villa Amaravida in Phuket.
Other notable mentions include Choeng Mon Beach, Dusit Dheva Cultural Center, Cape Fahn Hotel, Pi Samui Beach Club and Restaurant, Magical Weed Garden Lounge, and the Samui Snake Farm—where a humorous reptile release goes wrong for Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood).
To top it off, the nearby island of Koh Phangan’s Haad Rin Beach makes an appearance as the backdrop for the Full Moon Party, while breathtaking arrival shots were captured around Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park, a popular boat tour destination off Samui’s coast.
Phuket: A scenic Andaman escape
Though most of the action unfolds on Koh Samui, Thailand’s largest island, Phuket, also plays a crucial role in season three.
If you were mesmerized by the serene lagoon spa pavilion—home to some key opening and closing moments—you can find it at Anantara Mai Khao Phuket, which also hosts the private pool villa that Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) calls home for part of the series.
Meanwhile, when you spot the lavish dinner scenes, that’s likely Ta Khai at the Rosewood Phuket. Beyond these resort settings, the show explores various Phuket attractions such as Bangla Boxing, Ya Nui Beach, Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, and Café Del Mar. Exterior arrival shots were captured at Ko Lawa Yai, off the coast near Phang Nga Bay.
Bangkok: A nightlife and cultural hub
Midway through the season, one character heads to Bangkok for a side trip that veers into unexpected territory.
Inside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel’s famous Bamboo Bar, an old friend delivers a jaw-dropping confession about his time in Thailand, marking one of the show’s most talked-about moments.
From there, the two characters pay a visit to Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn), who resides in a grand riverside home with his wife, White Lotus owner Sritala. The property is actually the Siri Sala Private Thai Villa, situated along the Bangkok Noi Canal—available for vacationers looking to book all six of its bedrooms.
Later, the pair takes on the capital’s nightlife at Sing Sing Theater on Sukhumvit Road before returning to the Mandarin Oriental’s iconic lobby and ascending to a real-life two-bedroom Oriental Suite that spans an impressive 376 square meters.
The White Lotus Effect on tourism
Ever since it was announced that Thailand would host season three of “The White Lotus,” travel insiders have predicted a surge of interest in the country. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has welcomed the publicity, noting the show’s potential to highlight everything from cultural heritage and cuisine to top-notch wellness offerings.
In 2024, more than 35 million international visitors traveled to Thailand, contributing significant revenue to the nation’s economy. The TAT aims to surpass pre-pandemic numbers this year, targeting around 39–40 million visitors and generating three trillion baht in tourism income.
For travelers dreaming of their own Thai adventure, the stunning locations featured throughout the season—Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok—offer an exciting blueprint for an unforgettable trip.
As Lalisa’s character “Mook” happily proclaims, “I hope you enjoy Thailand.”
