Filming Locations of American Drama Starring Lisa Gain Popularity
Thai Government Expresses "Gratitude"
After the release of the American drama featuring Lisa, a member of the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, the Thai government expressed gratitude as tourist interest in the filming locations in Thailand surged.
On the 24th, Yonhap News reported, citing local media such as The Nation, that since the release of season 3 of the American HBO drama 'The White Lotus' on the 17th, hotel bookings and searches for filming locations like Koh Samui in Thailand have significantly increased, according to Sasikan Watanachain, Deputy Spokesperson for the Thai government, who spoke the day before.
According to Deputy Spokesperson Watanachain, searches for Koh Samui by American tourists increased by 65% compared to the previous month. Hotel searches for Koh Samui on the booking site Agoda rose by 12%, and actual bookings for luxury hotels increased by 40%. Major hotel booking rates in Bangkok, Phuket, and other known filming locations, including Koh Samui, reportedly rose by 400 to 500% compared to last year.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) analyzed that the drama itself attracts English-speaking tourists and, with Lisa’s appearance, also draws fans from Southeast Asia, creating a dual effect. Lisa is from the Buriram region in northeastern Thailand and is known to be regarded as a 'national hero' in Thailand. She also has many fans across Southeast Asian countries.
Season 3 of 'The White Lotus,' featuring Lisa, is her acting debut. It was filmed in and around her hometown of Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok in Thailand. Seasons 1 and 2 of this drama, which depicts stories set in hotels, were filmed in Hawaii and Italy respectively, and gained great popularity, winning American Emmy Awards.
Thailand is a major tourism country where the tourism industry directly and indirectly accounts for about 20% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and jobs. To revitalize the tourism industry, Thailand has provided various incentives for foreign films and dramas to be shot in the country.
Last year, it was reported that 490 foreign films and dramas were shot in Thailand, with investments in Thailand reaching 6.58 billion baht (approximately 280.6 billion KRW), according to authorities. This year, the release of the Hollywood blockbuster 'Jurassic World' sequel, filmed in Krabi, Phuket, Bangkok, and other locations in Thailand, is also upcoming.
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