Warning issued on eve of White Lotus series in Thailand (video)
As legions of White Lotus fans eagerly await the much-anticipated third series of the smash hit HBO drama, a gripping warning emerges from the exotic shores of Thailand.
White Lotus mastermind Mike White’s quest across Thailand in search of the ultimate location to capture the magic for the show’s upcoming season has been well documented.
His journey led him to the stunning island of Koh Samui, where he found himself mesmerised by the heavenly allure of the Four Seasons Resort.
Fast forward nearly two years and the entire Thai nation is on the brink of a tourism bonanza as the show gears up for its premiere next year.
Set in the fictional haven of the White Lotus resort, this murder-mystery drama has won critical acclaim for its razor-sharp satire of affluent tourists and the locals who serve them.
Thailand is set to play a starring role, doubling as a spectacular advertisement destined to rake in the dollars from Western film productions and thrill-seeking travellers. Just last month, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra jetted to Los Angeles to court Hollywood elites, unveiling a strategic plan set to beef up cash rebates for foreign filmmakers.
The proposal, awaiting legislative approval, intends to dial up the rebate cap from 20% to a tantalising 30%, with no ceiling on total reimbursement.
In a climate where Hollywood is grappling with higher production costs, flagging streaming numbers, and last year’s industry strikes, nations across the globe offer sweeter deals.
Canada, Australia, and even the UK are at the forefront, enticing with grand incentives. Meanwhile, emerging players like Indonesia and Jordan offer grants, tax breaks, and cashback schemes to woo the industry bigwigs.
Thailand’s own rebate programme launched in 2017 and has proven its mettle by helping to lure The White Lotus crew away from a Japanese sojourn. By lopping millions off the budget with enticing rebates, Thailand has surged ahead in the international filming race.
The Thailand Film Office estimates that every dollar shelled out by foreign film Ventures fuels US$2.80 worth of economic activity, a handy boost with aspirations of reeling in a record 40 million tourists next year, reported The LA Times.
However, with great fame comes great responsibility.
In a grim reminder of the double-edged sword that is cinematic tourism, a 2023 Chinese action flick staged in Thailand ostensibly quelled Chinese visitors. A controversial Apple ad filmed in Thailand faced backlash for painting the nation as outdated, prompting an apology and its removal from social media.
And who could forget the notorious aftermath of The Beach, where 8,000 daily pilgrims invaded Koh Phi Phi’s idyllic beauty post-Leonardo DiCaprio’s cinematic splash? The influx devastated marine life and coral reefs, prompting the government to shutter Maya Bay temporarily for rehabilitation.
Udom Matsayawanigul, director of the Thailand Film Office, revealed the problems caused by movies made in the Kingdom of Thailand in the past.
“The Beach was a lesson for Thailand. The National Parks Department has been vigilant ever since.”
The White Lotus isn’t alone in whipping up travel fervour. Emily in Paris sent waves of tourists to France, Bridgerton rekindled Britain’s regal charm, and Squid Game gave South Korea a tantalising spotlight. Yet, nothing quite as potent as the allure of Mike White’s creation.
American bookings for Hawaii rocketed 25% after the inaugural season’s Maui backdrop. Season two saw Sicily flooded with travellers, its Taormina setting proving irresistible as restrictions from the pandemic waned.
Thailand’s already watching bookings surge as anticipation for season three builds, with scenes also gracing Bangkok and Phuket.
The Four Seasons on Koh Samui, housing some 70,000 locals, relishes a boom, courtesy of the reopened tourism gates.
Excitement swells even for Thai tourists, buoyed by Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal’s star turn. Manobal, of K-pop titan BLACKPINK fame, promises to draw domestic intrigue too.
Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, president of Koh Samui’s tourism association, revealed plans to ramp up the island’s infrastructure, including increasing daily flights and airport expansions to match the tourism boom.
Local restaurateur duo Kanokkorn Lamlert and Patrick Moukarzel felt the strain last year as tourists flocked back. Seafood shortages and price hikes have made business increasingly challenging, yet they predict a nationwide financial windfall from the Koh Samui boom.
“They’ll come for Samui but discover so much more,” Moukarzel commented, hinting at broader Thai tourism benefits.
Brace yourselves, the White Lotus mania is about to sweep Thailand – the Land of Smiles is ready to show its pearly whites to the rest of the world.
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