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It’s been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over. They’ve checked into Hawaii and Sicily, and now they’re headed to seriously sunny Thailand. From Bangkok to Phuket, these are all The White Lotus season 3 filming locations you’re gonna wanna add to your bucketlist.

Bangkok

Songkran Festival

We have no concrete locations in Bangkok just yet, but from the trailer alone we know that at some point the characters of The White Lotus season 3 participate in one of the best festivals around – Songkran.

Much bigger in the north of the country in places like Chiang Mai and the capital, Bangkok, Songkran was originally an event to commemorate the New Year that involved the ritual cleansing of the body with water in preparation for the year ahead, but in recent years it’s morphed into more of a full on waterfight – water pistols included. Yep, people basically flock to the streets to soak each other, and tourists can totally get in on the action.

Remember to bring a floral shirt, Hawaiin-style, as this is becoming the unofficial dress code for the event, as well as a waterproof pocket for the important stuff, and some spare cash too – you’ll need to top up your water quite a lot and you can do this from around 20p a go at specially-designated refill spots.

Markets galore

Also in the trailer for The White Lotus season 3, we catch a glimpse of the characters wandering through a marketplace. Whilst we don’t know yet just where they are, Bangkok ain’t short of markets.

Think of Chatuchak Weekend Market as the Avengers: Endgame of markets – massive, epic, and something you can’t miss. With over 15,000 stalls (deep breath!), you can buy literally anything here. It’s a bit of a maze, so expect to get lost at least once, but hey, that’s half the fun. Open during the day, it’s best to head out early to avoid the worst of the heat.

Asiatique The Riverfront, set along the Chao Phraya River, is part outdoor shopping bazaar, part fancy promenade. Think warehouses turned into trendy stalls and open-air restaurants, with the river as a gorgeous backdrop. Here you’ll find boutique shops selling everything from Thai silk scarves and jewellery to quirky souvenirs and artisan goods. Prices are higher than in Chatuchak Market, but the vibe is way more relaxed, if that’s more your thing. Plus, there’s a Ferris wheel – because why not?

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, meanwhile, is that one you’ve seen on Instagram – those picturesque boats packed with tropical fruits? That’s this market. In recent years it’s lost some of its authenticity and can get crowded, but if you really want the experience of shopping from a boat, try one of the other floating markets a little further out from the centre of the city.

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Koh Samui

The resort

For The White Lotus season 3 everyone’s packing their bags for Koh Samui, where the core action takes place and – most importantly – where you’ll find the hotel that stands in for this season’s White Lotus property. And the hotel in question? That’d be the the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui.

Tucked into the lush hillside overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, in the northwest corner of Koh Samui, this place isn’t just a resort; it’s an escape into a world where everything is so beautiful, it feels like cheating at life. Think turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and enough greenery to make you believe you’re starring in a nature documentary. You’ll arrive by winding roads, and as you step into the resort, it’s like the world outside disappears.

Each villa is its own private sanctuary. These aren’t just rooms; they’re residences that come with infinity pools, outdoor living spaces, and panoramic views. The décor is understated yet elegant – lots of teak wood, crisp white linens, and Thai-inspired touches. Oh, and every villa has a personal attendant. Obvs. These residences aren’t to be confused with the actual Private Residences, of course – extra fancy villas aimed at families or groups, offering kitchenettes, panoramic ocean views from the private infinity pool, and al fresco dining pavilions. We reckon it’ll be one of these that the characters set up shop in.

The food here? Next-level indulgence. Koh Thai Kitchen serves up authentic Thai flavours with a side of insane ocean views. Want something more beachy? Pla Pla focuses on fresh seafood grilled to perfection. The private beach is pristine, and the resort offers everything from paddle boarding and kayaking to snorkelling right off the shore. Feeling adventurous? Join the resort’s Muay Thai classes in an outdoor ring overlooking the jungle. Prefer to chill? The Secret Garden Spa is there to pamper you with treatments inspired by Thai healing traditions.

Tourist mode activated

When in Koh Samui, you gotta venture beyond your resort. If you wanna tick off some of the core stuff you can’t miss on the island, then start with something like the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) – arguably Koh Samui’s most iconic attraction and the unofficial overseer of all your tourist shenanigans. Built in 1972, the statue represents Buddha in a pose of calm and purity, known as the “Mara posture,” which symbolizes steadfastness and enlightenment. Super easy to reach, as it’s near the airport and not far from Chaweng or Bophut. Bonus: Free parking!

Once a sleepy little place, Fisherman’s Village in Bophut has transformed into a stylish hub while keeping its rustic wooden shophouses intact. The narrow main street is lined with boutique stores selling everything from handcrafted jewellery and chic beachwear to the inevitable elephant-themed souvenirs. Restaurants here range from fancy spots serving international cuisine to cozy cafés dishing out fresh seafood. Some even have tables right on the sand for those “toes-in-the-water” moments. Every Friday evening, from 5 PM to 11 PM, the market transforms the area into a buzzing hub of food stalls, craft vendors, and live music.

Chaweng, meanwhile, is Koh Samui’s bold, unapologetic party animal, where everything is bigger, louder, and brighter. It’s the island’s most famous beach and town, serving as the epicentre for nightlife, shopping, dining, and general chaos. If Koh Samui had a neon heart, this would be it. It’s home to Chaweng Beach, a beautiful 5-kilometer stretch of soft white sand and turquoise water. Great for swimming, sunbathing, and sipping cocktails. You’ll find Ark Bar Beach Club here – think a pool, DJs, and fire shows where they get so close you can feel the heat from the flames.

Off the beaten path (sort of)

If you want something a little different, try Lamai’s Walking Street – think of it as a scaled-down version of Fisherman’s Village. If Chaweng Beach isn’t your thing, try Taling Ngam Beach. On the quieter side of the island, here there’s no crowds, no jet skis, just you and the sound of waves. This is the Koh Samui you secretly wanted.

Hidden away in Maenam, on the northern side of Koh Samui, is Tree Top Coffee. True to its name, the café is nestled among trees, with wooden decks and cosy seating that blend perfectly into the lush surroundings – plus there’s incredible views over the island, not all that surprising considering this used to be a ziplining station.

If you don’t mind making the trip all the way to the south of the island, you can see something most people miss – Laem Sor Pagoda. Blending spiritual significance with stunning seaside tranquillity,  it’s peaceful, quiet, and far from the tourist crowds. A sacred Buddhist site, believed to house relics of Buddha, it sits right by the water, offering stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand. Looks mega magical at sunset when the light hits it just right.

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Phuket

The resort

Alongside Koh Samui, the cast also headed to Phuket. Off Thailand’s southwest coast, it’s the largest island in Thailand and connected to the mainland by the Sarasin Bridge. Now we don’t know yet what role Phuket might play in the plot of The White Lotus season 3, but we do know that one resort in particular was used here – the Anantara Mai Khao Villas.

Where barefoot luxury meets tropical indulgence, it’s tucked away on the serene Mai Khao Beach, just a short drive from Phuket International Airport. Think lush greenery and tranquil lagoons, where each villa is a private sanctuary, complete with a personal pool, outdoor bathtubs, and elegant Thai-inspired décor. There’s a lagoon-style infinity pool and a spa, as well as a gym, yoga classes, and even bicycles to explore the surrounding area.

La Sala serves a breakfast buffet so divine you’ll be tempted to linger all morning (yes, there’s champagne). Sea.Fire.Salt elevates beachfront dining with freshly grilled seafood and steaks, while Tree House offers tapas and cocktails with a side of panoramic views.

Pack your bags for Phuket

Beyond the resort, Phuket can pat itself on the back for its beaches. Running the gamut from party central Patong Beach to Freedom Beach, a little secluded paradise you’ll have to hop in a boat to access, and family-friendly spots like Kata Beach (also popular with surfers) in between, you can spend your whole holiday just beach hopping and have a whale of a time.

Besides beaches, Phuket is pretty heavy on the culture too. Like Koh Samui, it’s also home to a big buddha – the Great Buddha of Phuket, a 45-metre-high statue up in the Nakkerd Hills that can be seen from pretty much anywhere south of the island. There’s also Old Phuket Town, where you can wander through streets lined with Sino-Portuguese buildings, boutique cafés, and markets.

Laem Singh Viewpoint is one of Phuket’s most scenic perches, offering a jaw-dropping panorama of the island’s west coast. Perched between Kamala Beach and Surin Beach, this little gem is a must-visit for those who want to feast their eyes on turquoise waters, lush green hills, and pristine stretches of sand -all without breaking a sweat (it’s easily accessible by road). While the adjacent Laem Singh Beach has become harder to access due to private land disputes, the viewpoint itself remains a public treasure.

Phuket also happens to be a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, so the food scene is phenomenal: don’t miss some street food like Hokkien noodles, roti pancakes, and moo ping (grilled pork skewers), as well as seafood at places like Rawai Seafood Market. For some proper local dishes, try mee sapam (stir-fried noodles) or kanom jeen (fermented rice noodles with curry).

Grab some cheap flights to Phuket

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