‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Explores Thailand’s Luxury Tourism and Its Consequences

The HBO series returns with sharp societal satire, while raising concerns about the impact of 'set-jetting' on Thailand's Koh Samui.

Season 3 of HBO's 'The White Lotus' shifts its focus to a luxury resort in Thailand, continuing its critique of wealth and privilege in exotic settings.
The series blends humor and drama to explore themes of societal decay, existential crises, and cultural clashes among affluent Western tourists.
Thailand's tourism industry anticipates a surge in 'set-jetting' visitors inspired by the show, with online searches for the Koh Samui location already spiking.
Local residents express concerns about the environmental and infrastructural strain caused by increased tourism, including water shortages and waste management challenges.
The show's creator, Mike White, uses the tropical backdrop to highlight the tension between opulence and the fragility of local ecosystems and communities.