When The White Lotus set its sights on Thailand for its next chapter, it didn’t just pick a location—it claimed a cinematic paradise, embedding itself in Koh Samui’s raw, unfiltered beauty where jungle-draped hills crash into crystal-clear waters, and every frame is filled with nature’s most stunning palms, trees, and greenery. More and more, renowned series and movies with millions of views worldwide are choosing to film closer to nature. Nature-filled backgrounds are a must for sets to stand out even more.
The New Cinematic Obsession - Filming Where Nature Steals the Show
There was a time when television’s most gripping dramas played out in dimly lit rooms, urban landscapes, and shadowed alleyways. But there has been an integrative evolution in the age of prestige TV. Today, the most visually striking series submerges audiences in sublime destinations, wrapping every frame in the almost surreal beauty of the natural world. And no show has mastered this quite like The White Lotus in all its seasons, especially in the recently aired season 3.
As HBO’s critically acclaimed series geared up for its third season, it’s no surprise that the production has chosen Thailand’s Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui as its next setting. With the show’s signature mix of high society satire, razor-sharp dialogue, and jaw-dropping cinematography, the location itself becomes a silent character—one that amplifies tension, reflects the characters’ emotional states, and leaves viewers daydreaming about their next escape.
Why Did the White Lotus Choose Koh Samui to Film?
Perched on a secluded bay along the Gulf of Thailand, the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is a masterpiece of design and nature intertwined. With palm trees swaying against emerald hills and the ocean stretching endlessly beyond view, every part of the resort is waiting to be captured on film. Its landscape is an experience where luxury and nature exist in harmony, making it an undeniable choice for filmmakers seeking a setting that speaks for itself.
For filmmakers, the resort offers a range of natural backgrounds that are like no other. If you've been to Thailand, you might know what it lives up to. Heated conversations unfold against the infinity-edge pools and dense tropical jungle, just steps away from the scenes, providing an eerie sense of mystery and escape. Whether it’s the golden hour glow over the water or the moody, storm-lit skies, every frame in the series is infused with an atmosphere that heightens the show’s signature tension.
The Rise of Nature-Driven Storytelling
Prestige TV has always thrived on spectacle, but in recent years, there’s been a clear shift: nature isn’t just a setting—it’s the soul of the story. From Game of Thrones harnessing Iceland’s stark landscapes to Big Little Lies turning the cliffs of Monterey into an emotional mirror for its characters, location has become an essential storytelling device.
In The White Lotus, the setting is more than just that—it shapes the narrative itself. The turquoise waters, the greenery, the secluded villas perched on the hillside—this is the kind of environment that breeds both luxury and isolation. It’s a paradise, but as the series has shown time and time again, paradise is never what it seems.
Filmmakers Chasing the Natural World
The impact of this shift in filmmaking goes beyond aesthetics. Audiences today crave escapism, but not in the form of artificial sets or CGI-enhanced skylines. They want to see the world as it is—untamed, and, in some cases, deeply transformative. Productions are increasingly choosing locations that remind viewers of Earth’s staggering beauty, reinforcing the importance of preservation and exploration.
From Dune filming in Jordan’s Wadi Rum to The Revenant braving the frozen landscapes of Canada and Argentina, the industry is questioning what it means to capture the essence of a place. And now, with The White Lotus bringing its lens to Thailand, Koh Samui joins the ranks of destinations that will forever be immortalized on-screen.
As travel and entertainment continue to intertwine, audiences are becoming more invested in the locations they see on screen. It’s no longer just about where a story unfolds, but how a place makes them feel. And as The White Lotus has launched its latest chapter in one of the world’s most stunning destinations, one thing is certain—nature isn’t just a setting. It’s the story itself.
