If there’s one show that’s simultaneously criticizing high-end luxury tourism and promoting it, it has to be the hit HBO show, The White Lotus. The show, created by Mike White, is all over the internet as I write the article. The reason? A compelling dark-comedy satire set in an exotic fictional wellness center in Thailand. From unexpected twists to the lavish set design, there is an undeniable charm to the show that takes viewers on a journey and pushes them to pack their bags.
White Lotus Season 3 Filming Locations
Four Seasons Resort, Koh Samui
A majority of the show has been shot at the Four Seasons Resort in Thailand’s Koh Samui. Many of the gorgeous pool-side rooms villas you see in the show belong to Four Seasons. The resort instantly caught the attention of Mike White, and he decided to use the resort as a filming location for the third season of the HBO show.
The rooms here start at about $1000 (approximately INR 80,000) per night, making it a great resort for luxury travelers. It is no less than a work of art, featuring immersive spaces that will take your breath away. Be it the oceanside pool villas, infinity pools, or the Muay Thai ring, a full-fledged library, and tennis courts, there is something for everyone.
Anantara Lawana, Koh Samui
A few parts of the show have been shot at this luxurious resort. These include the scenes featuring the White Lotus Hotel’s entrance area, lobby, driveway, as well as the bar and the jewelry store. The resort is home to 122 luxurious guest rooms, some of which have their own private pools.
Speaking of the design of the entire resort, it feels like a tropical sanctuary has come to life. This is so because the focus is on providing a calm, rewarding experience and asking the guests to unwind, relax, and rejuvenate in Koh Samui. Prices for a stay start at INR 19,000 onwards here, so if you’re willing to spend a little more than the usual on a luxury stay, this place is just for you. Be it the pristine beachfronts or the fine dining spaces here, Anantara Lawana is a luxury retreat in Koh Samui that deserves more praise than it gets.
Wat Pu Khao Thong, Ayutthaya
The scenes in the show revolving around the monastery were filmed at the famous Thai monastery, Wat Pu Khao Thong in Ayutthaya. This monastery, also known as the Monastery of the Golden Mount was built in 1395 by the Thai king Ramesuan. The base of the monastery is square and the ‘chedi’ or the spire tapers as it moves upwards. It houses beautiful structures throughout its complex – including statues of Buddha and other religious symbols.
A highlight of this place is the 1000-year old, 8.22 meter-long Buddha statue wearing a Manohra crown, typically worn by Manohra dancers. Wat Pu Khao Thong is one of the most visited religious places in Thailand, famous not only among the locals but also the tourists.
Fisherman’s Village Night Market, Thanon Bo Phut
As the guests step out of the fictional resort to explore the rest of Thailand, you see them navigating through brightly-lit night markets and streets. One of them is the Fisherman’s Village Night Market. It is the longest market in Koh Samui, and also has the Bophu Beach running alongside it.
Enter the market and you’ll be taken aback by the sheer variety of things you can do. Explore the stalls selling traditional Thai spices, haggle your way through local Thai thrift stores, enjoy delectable street food – both in meat and vegan versions, and shop some of the coolest souvenirs you’ll ever come across. Here, you’ll get a variety of Thai foods such as Tom Yum Soup, Mango Sticky Rice, Satay, and much more. Overall, the market is a fun way to take a glimpse into the lives of the local Thai people. After all, every market tells the story of the local culture they are a part of.
Koh Phangan
If you wish to experience Thailand’s vibrant nightlife just like the characters of The White Lotus, you must attend the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan. This party is a characteristic event of this region, organized at the Haad Rin Beach. Many believe that the Full Moon Party here is the biggest monthly party in the world!
Every full moon, approximately 20,000 to 30,000 people visit the beaches of Koh Phangan to participate in the Full Moon Party. It has, over the years, become a hotspot for digital nomads and solo travelers to let loose and enjoy a company of complete strangers. People from all over the world gather and revel in an atmosphere of fun celebrations. There’s plenty of food and drinks, and of course good music to lift your spirits. Delicious food, fun music – a night you will forget. So when are you attending a Full Moon Party?
Why You Should Watch The White Lotus Season 3
The White Lotus Season 3 takes place in the fictional, eponymous resort in Thailand. This is where a few groups of people – families, friends, and couples come to unwind and relax. The show is an excellent satirical take on class privilege. It shows how the privileged lead an often comfortable, luxurious life, oblivious to the ‘real’ world around them. However, the show also delves deep into the darker mysteries each of these privileged characters hide beneath their superficial facade.
If you are someone who loves traveling, you’ll particularly love the show. Creator Mike White has done an excellent job at capturing Thailand’s beauty in the most aesthetic way possible. Long shots of the calm, turquoise beachfronts, Thai temples, night markets, and the lush landscapes of Thailand transport you directly to this Southeast Asian country.
Not just that, but the show is an excellent watch if you wish to know more about how luxury resorts operate. The different kinds of services they offer, the way the staff functions, the dynamics between the staff and the guests, and the functioning of the resort have been excellently captured. It offers a glimpse into the lucrative world of luxury tourism, that isn’t really all that glitter and gold as you scratch the surface.
The show also focuses on the concept of Eastern, Buddhist Spirituality and sees the Western, capitalistic world through its lens. It critiques the rich and their luxurious lives, but somehow has an impact that only makes more people aspire for this life.
The Over Tourism Crisis In Thailand
Even though Thailand has been a destination loved by tourists for decades, the recent rise of tourism in the country is what attracted the makers of the show in the first place. Now, after the show’s success, the country is experiencing an even greater boom in tourism. According to a Thai media company, The Nation, Phuket in 2003 saw about 3 million visitors. In just a decade, the humble island saw about 12 million visitors!
However, that’s not all. The islands of Phuket and Koh Samui – both extensively featured in The White Lotus – have undergone tremendous environmental changes over the years. These changes include rising water pollution, depleting marine life, and concerning loss of coral reefs. In fact, Phuket was shut for a brief period of time in 2024 due to disturbing damage to the underwater ecosystems.
Shows like The White Lotus are marketed on a heavy budget and are backed by some of the world’s biggest production houses. The show has shot up to fame, emerging as one of 2025’s most sensational pop cultural phenomenona. Be it the plethora of memes, the music, the diverse cast, or the plot twists, the show has left no stone unturned when it comes to leaving a mark on the global pop culture map.
When shows like these become a raging phenomenon, the locations they feature also rise to fame. And obviously, the places featured in this show are no exception. After the Four Seasons Resort was featured, it saw a tremendous rise in its bookings in real life. In fact, many of its rooms and villas have been booked for the next few months now. The popularity of such shows raises concerns and puts tremendous strain on local resources, tourism infrastructure, and most importantly, the environment.
Summing Up
The White Lotus Season 3 is an indulgent watch if you love a dark, gripping, and equally fun show about rich people doing rich things. It beautifully captures Thailand, without making it look like a stereotypical glimpse into Thai culture. It is available on JioHotstar for Indian audiences – so when are you watching it?
