A Thai person reviews ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Episode 1, and has thoughts on the music

Did you know that the first scene in The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 1 doesn’t even take place on Koh Samui? In fact, a lot of the episode takes place on a completely different island in Thailand. Taking a local lens to the new season of the highly anticipated show, read on for our review of the first episode for The White Lotus Season 3, including filming locations, soundtrack, and cameos you may have missed.

As Mike White’s award-winning The White Lotus takes to Thailand for season 3, we’re reviewing the show through a critical, local lens. On #WhiteLotusWatch for the next weeks, stay tuned for our weekly reviews on special details, shooting locations, and cultural nuances you may have missed.

Titled ‘Same Spirits, New Forms,’ the first episode begins with a new theme song and unusual displays of violence, as an unidentified dead body floats in a lotus pond. The setting then quickly jumps back one week in time, to the tune of the notorious Made in Thailand by Thai folk band Carabao. What follows is 55 minutes of lush island greenery, family bickering, Blackpink’s Lisa riding a motosai to work, and even full nudity from one of the male characters.

While general reviews on the episode can be found far and wide, we watched The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 1 from a Thai perspective, and with plenty of insider knowledge. Here are 5 key things you may have missed.

N.B.: No major spoilers lie ahead, though the general plot of the episode is discussed, and minor details have been picked out.

‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Episode 1 reviewed by a Thai person: 5 things you may not have noticed

The filming locations for The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 1 cover at least three hotels on two islands

Those who have followed the buzz around the show will know that the most famous filming location for The White Lotus Season 3 is the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. However, the first episode does not begin there. In fact, a lot of the first episode was not shot on Koh Samui at all.

The very first scene depicts a wellness meditation on a traditional Thai sala in a lotus pond. This is located at the Anantara Mai Khao in Phuket. Interestingly, Natasha Rothwell’s character of Belinda has her room here, and all the other spa scenes also take place here. In fact, we can expect to see even more Anantara properties in the coming episodes, as the luxury hotels and resort chain has confirmed that three of their properties will be featured on the show.

The infamous arrivals scene also takes place in Phuket, featuring Ko Lawa Yai near Phang Nga Bay and Ya Nui Beach. Parts of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park can also be spotted.

Later in the episode, drama ensues during dinner, which is hosted at the Rosewood Phuket in Ta Khai restaurant.

Rest assured, dear fans, most of the other hotel shots, including spacious villas, spirit house, and pool, are really set at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. When Piper Ratliff (Sarah Catherine Hook) takes a walk to a nearby temple (we identified it as Wat Phu Khao Thong), this is also located in Koh Samui. However, it wouldn’t be a mere mile’s walk down the beach. In reality, it is located a 2-hour walk away.

There is a lot of really good Thai music in this episode, and the songs hold cultural value

When the first teaser for The White Lotus dropped for season 3, those familiar with life in Thailand are likely to have recognised Carabao’s 1984 hit Made in Thailand. A folk band that is known for making socio-political commentary in its music, it is one of the most famous and easily recognisable songs about the country, and also serves as the first Thai song in the episode.

Song choices on The White Lotus have often paid homage to the country in which it is set, and this season seems to be no different. The second song, Phi Sao Khrap is by Northern Thai folk singer Jaran Manopret, and is sung in a Northern dialect, detailing the coming-of-age of a young boy. Further on in the episode, we hear God Help by Mahasmut Bunyaraksh, themed more around escapism. Lastly, and likely our favourite, Kuen Kuen Lueng Lueng by Sroeng Santi plays during the lust-y lap pool scene. Santi was a Thai rocker, who was popular for ‘Luk Thung’ compilations. Recently, his songs have found new fame, though the artist passed away in 1982.

The local extras have a special connection to Lalisa Manobal

Marking her highly anticipated acting debut, Lalisa Manobal shines in the first episode. She plays Mook, a health mentor at the resort, and has a very likeable nature. While it is hard to disconnect her face from her megastar life in the real world, she is in good company in the first episode.

Thai fans are likely to have spotted popular Thai content creator and television host Woody Milintachinda in the first half of the episode. Tending to resort owner Sritala (the legendary Lek Patravadi, no less), he appears to be one of her assistants or stylists. Back in real life, Woody was the host of Lalisa’s first exclusive Thai interview, back in 2022.

Also hailing from the world of music, Pree ‘Wan’ Asvaraksha plays a bodyguard in the first episode, and can be spotted faintly near the guard house (likely shot at an Anantara property). The creative was once in an indie rock band called Mattnimare, before forming a new duo with his cousin Naris “Pon” Saropala, called Venn. Currently, Pree manages several projects, including Mirasierra in Khao Yai, and the beloved Sababa restaurant in Thonglor, Bangkok.

Sutichai Yoon, a well-known Thai journalist, also features as an English-speaking monk.

The pong pong tree is a real thing, but is seen as a decorative plant in Thailand

When the Ratliff family arrive at The White Lotus, they are told that they must not use their phones in the hotel’s public areas. Anyone who has been to a wellness retreat in Thailand (Chivasom, Kamalaya, we’re looking at you), will know this is a real and common instruction. Upon Saxon’s questioning of what to do without his phone (“eat fruit?”), hotel staff Pam introduces him to the pong pong tree.

While the name may sound fictional, the pong pong tree is a real tree species, known in more scientific terms as Cerbera Odollam. In colloquial terms, it is sometimes referred to as the “suicide tree.” As explained in the show, the seeds of its fruit are poisonous, containing a poison called cerberin. While it is absolutely deadly, the tree can be found in many places across Thailand, revered for its beautiful and decorative aspects. It is also a fast-growing species, with an impressive foliage, making it a popular choice in tropical resort settings, according to Thai Garden Design.

Will this information become relevant in later The White Lotus episodes? The seed has been sowed.

“LBH” is real slang, and was a smart joke in more ways than one

When Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) sit at the bar for a drink, Chloe makes a pretty harsh joke, poking fun at stereotypical male expats and tourists that come to Thailand. In reference to the men around them, she explains: “You’ll notice a lot of bald white guys in Thailand. The locals call them LBHs. ‘Losers Back Home.’”

It definitely got laughs at the show’s premiere, and the term “LBH” is a real one. It has been used to describe a particular kind of tourist or expat in Thailand, who comes to Asia to become someone, or appear to be someone more than back home. There are entire reddit threads on this subject, but we won’t get too deep into it.

Nonetheless, the choice of slang shows some local understanding of the scene. Chloe herself is an expat, and draws on the expat experience in Thailand, as there is a huge population of them in the country. Her joke draws on a common stereotype, and yet still manages to remain light-hearted.

Most shockingly, in her case, it even refers to the scathing return of a male character from Season 2.

The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 1: Local’s Verdict

We were afraid The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 1 would be awkward to watch as locals, but so far it feels authentic. Nobody falls into cheesy elephant pant tourist tropes (yet), though we’re not sure why there was a topless Russian man with sak yant tattoos in the arrivals scene.

The varied use of Thai songs is outstanding, and even Thai language banter between Mook and Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) comes across as believable. Even as locals, we could admit that the scenery looked beautiful, even if the different hotel settings can be confusing to the trained eye. To the untrained eye, most definitely, it is a seamless transition between Anantara, Four Seasons, and back again. Even the wildlife sounds accurate, from the Asian Koel bird to the Tokay Gecko. That last one still makes every Thai shudder.

The White Lotus is now streaming on Max. New episodes will be released in Thailand every Monday at 9am. Check back here weekly as we dissect The White Lotus Season 3 through a local lens.