HBO's White Lotus Does Thailand Dirty

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The one likable person, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), is a character previously seen working in the spa in the first season's Hawaiian resort. She's in Thailand on a research trip for her own wellbeing business.

Terrible people

As with previous series, the ignorance of the holidaymakers is clear. Thailand is referred to as Taiwan. Piper is told by her mother that she can't possibly be a Buddhist because she isn't Chinese.

The stereotype of the older, rich, bald white male – referred to here as LBHs (losers back home) – who retires to Thailand with a much younger wife is hammered home in various episodes.

Through these guests' continued cultural ignorance and insensitivity, the few Thai characters we are introduced to are subservient and constantly smiling, always there to please. There's never a sense of disgust at the exploits of the rich white customers. They are voiceless and for the most part, absent.

Belinda, the only black character, is also the only one who converses in any meaningful way with a Thai person. The only sort of story that gives any space to Thai characters is about a blossoming love between the security guard Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) and health expert Mook (Lalisa Manoban), but this is sidelined.

There is a clear cultural, economic and racial split presented, one that fails to allow any Thai character the ability to air their criticisms of the guests or to be developed in a meaningful way. In the main, the focus is on whiteness – a criticism previous series have also garnered.

An imaginary Thailand

All these facets together create a version of Thailand that is seen through the lens of Orientalism . This is a Western way of looking at non-Western places as full of mysticism, eroticism and exoticness, where nothing normal occurs.

This lens is foregrounded by characters constantly saying things like:“Thailand is full of people either looking for something or hiding from something”, and“Whatever happens in Thailand, stays in Thailand.”

There is a constant flow of alcohol, and drugs can be procured away from the resort. Incest is even hinted at in the first few episodes as the audience are shown Lochlan gazing upon the naked body of his brother.

The country is portrayed as a playground for white debauchery, where anything goes – much like in The Hangover part II (2011), a trope I have written about in my research .

The link to Orientalism is further enhanced by the way in which Thai religion is shown as being mystical. Anytime a character engages in a spiritual practice it is accompanied by a tinkling score indicating something otherworldly is occurring.

This isn't limited to Western characters. When Gaitok, makes an offering at a shrine the visuals are presented in slow motion as candlelight flickers with a mythical aura pervading.

Thailand is presented as an exotic and mystical land. Image: Home Box Office

The previous seasons have seen a boom in travel to filming locations in Sicily and Hawaii, (driven by their onscreen depictions ), and this season's Thailand setting will likely lead to the same.