Bangkok: The popularity of the series "The White Lotus" Season 3, featuring Ms. Lalisa Manoban, better known as Lisa, has led to a significant rise in tourism in Thailand. The series, filmed in picturesque locations including Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui, has drawn attention from international audiences, notably increasing hotel bookings and tourism interest in these areas.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, praised Lisa's role in the series, which has contributed to the growing interest in its filming locations. Notable sites such as Ang Thong National Marine Park, Choeng Mon Beach, and other scenic spots in Koh Samui have seen a 12 percent increase in accommodation searches. There has also been a notable 65 percent rise in interest from US tourists compared to the previous month, propelling Thailand into the top five countries for accommodation searches on Agoda's platform. This trend has resulted in a 40 percent increase in hotel bookings and Average Daily Rates (ADR), specifically within the Luxury Tourism sector.
The series utilized four primary hotels as filming locations: Four Seasons Resorts Koh Samui, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, and Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort. These establishments have experienced a surge in interest, aligning with the broader increase in tourism driven by the series.
Investment in Thailand's creative and film industry has been substantial, with a total of 6,700 million baht invested in 2023. Despite a similar number of film crews in 2024, the investment value reached up to 6,580 million baht, creating 29,000 jobs for Thai citizens. The government's measures to promote the industry, such as increasing the cash rebate benefit to 30 percent and removing the maximum rebate ceiling per project, aim to further attract foreign film productions to Thailand.