Since White Lotus Season 3 kicked off in February 2025, three episodes have already aired, and fans can’t get enough of both the drama and the breathtaking Thai landscapes and scenery. The show’s stunning locations have sparked a wave of travel interest, with fans eager to experience the beauty of Thailand. This surge is part of a growing trend known as set-jetting, where travellers plan trips around destinations they’ve seen on their favourite TV shows or movies.
In recent years, the practice of “set-jetting” has grown in popularity. The first season of White Lotus brought attention to the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. After the show’s premiere, the resort experienced an unprecedented surge in demand and reported a 386% increase in bookings. Similarly, Sicily’s tourism industry saw a boom following the White Lotus season 2 release, creating a buzz around San Domenico Palace, another Four Seasons Hotel, where it was filmed. Now, after the new filming location for season 3 was revealed, Thailand has become a new hotspot on the map for every avid traveller.
“We are honored to have amazing Thailand featured as the filming location for the highly anticipated upcoming season of ‘The White Lotus,’” said Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool in a press release following the announcement.
For its third season, The White Lotus moves to Thailand, with filming locations spread across three key areas: Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui. Since it was confirmed in early 2024 that the third season would be set in Thailand, there has been much discussion about the show’s inevitable influence on tourism. According to Hotels.com, booking interest for the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, which serves as the primary location, has increased by 40%.
Warner Bros. Discovery has recently revealed in a press release that three properties owned by the upscale hotel chain Anantara — Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, and Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort —were also used as key locations for the show. The Anantara is currently offering a package called “The Lotus Awakening Escape” that aims to replicate some of the luxury enjoyed by White Lotus characters.
Another spot that served as a backdrop for additional scenes was the exquisite Four Seasons Tented Camp in the Golden Triangle, nestled in the jungle near the borders of Laos and Myanmar. It is sure to charm hundreds of tourists with its authenticity.
The series also features iconic locations in Bangkok, showcasing the vibrant culture and high-end hospitality of the bustling capital. However, not all locations were made public; there are some must-visit gems, such as Chatuchak Weekend Market and Asiatique Riverfront Market, which would be perfect places to immerse yourself in the culture and appreciate the local cuisine. The monumental Buddhist temple Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, and the iconic Grand Palace are also hotspots on the map that definitely can’t be ignored.
According to Thailand’s Tourism Authority, the country attracted over 35 million foreign visitors in 2024, earning over 1.8 trillion baht (€49 billion). Now, the aim is to reach pre-pandemic arrival levels by bringing in around 3 trillion baht (€82 billion) and welcoming 39-40 million tourists by the end of the year. Seeking to attract more visitors and to make them stay longer, Thailand has eased visa rules for foreign pensioners, students and digital nomads. Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific is offering $50 off flights to Thailand and other Southeast Asian destinations to indulge in White Lotus-inspired luxury, making it more accessible to international travellers.
With Thailand currently on the radar of travellers from all over the world, White Lotus has spiked the interest even further, inviting fans to explore a new destination and get a real set-jetting experience.
