Bangkok Post – ‘The White Lotus’ shooting in Thailand starts next month, two Thai actors join the cast

It was first announced that the third season of “The White Lotus” would be set in Thailand back in March last year. The crew is heading to Thailand to shoot in Bangkok, Koh Samui and Phuket next month, following a previous announcement made by HBO that it is working directly with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to support the filming and production of the show.

The American dark comedy-drama series by Mike White follows the guests and employees of the fictional White Lotus resort chain and their complicated interactions and dysfunctions beneath the picture-perfect appearances. Each season of the Emmy-winning show introduces mostly a new crop of guests checking into a different White Lotus. 

As for what hotel(s) could be the fictional White Lotus in Thailand, perhaps we can narrow down our guess to possibly be a Four Seasons property since seasons 1 and 2 took place at Four Seasons in Hawaii and Italy, respectively. The hotel chain happens to have Thai properties in Bangkok and Koh Samui, too. 

Last Friday, the cast of season 3 has been revealed. Leslie Bibb, Jason Issacs, Michelle Monaghan and Parker Posey have been confirmed while Natasha Rothwell will return to reprise her role from the first season. 

Not only will Thailand tourism benefit from the series (kaching kaching), but two Thai actors have also been confirmed to appear in the third season namely Dom Hetrakul and Maethi “Tayme” Thapthimthong. Both actors have previously worked with Hollywood productions.

Dom has a long credit starring in local TV series and movies but he is perhaps most recognised internationally for playing Aran in 2008’s Bangkok Dangerous.

Maethi got his first break in the Thai entertainment business by being a contestant in the tenth season of Academy Fantasia before he pivoted into acting. Each will appear in one episode of The White Lotus season 3, which is expected to be released in 2025.