We spoke to actor Tayme Thapthimthong about filming Season 3 of The White Lotus in Thailand.
Before starring as hotel security guard Gaitok in the hit HBO series The White Lotus, actor Tayme Thapthimthong had never watched the show. Although his character has generated a lot of buzz since the series premiered in February, Thapthimthong spoke to Travel + Leisure this summer while the crew was filming in Thailand to talk about his experiences both in front of and behind the camera.
“It’s amazing, there’s nothing I want to get up in as much as I want to,” Thapthimthong told T+L. “Every time I’m shooting here, it’s unreal to wake up and find myself in a five-star hotel.”
Thapthimthong was born and raised in London, but spends his summers in Thailand with his family, having moved to the South Asian country when he was 22. With a military background and a love of acting, he took on various gigs in the decade before White Lotus made him famous. Coincidentally, he was working as a bodyguard when he landed the role – and subsequently watched the first two seasons in a week.
“It’s something I never thought would happen, but it happened and I’m so happy,” he says of the series, which is set primarily at Thailand’s luxurious Four Seasons Koh Samui, T+L’s Destination of the Year 2025.
Off camera, Taputimthong lives like a local. He lives in Bangkok, is a fitness enthusiast, and goes hiking and rock climbing outside the city whenever he can. Since he grew up visiting Thailand in the summer, which is the rainy season, he became a complete tourist after moving from London, traveling everywhere.
“Since arriving here, I’ve become a real adventurous person,” he says. “Just three months into my stay, I met someone who took me to a province just south of Phuket. I spent two weeks on a fishing family’s boat and saw how they navigated by the stars and camped at night.”
Thaptimthong had lived in Thailand earlier in his life and had made a living on a rice farm, but while filming White Lotus, he found himself experiencing a more luxurious side of the country.
“It was like a new experience for me, I had never stayed at a Four Seasons or Anantara before,” he says. “It was really eye-opening, I thought, ‘Wow, these rooms are like this.’”
But whatever the accommodation, the actor’s exploration didn’t stop with White Lotus. The show’s cast — which included Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey and Walton Goggins — explored locations together during filming.
“I would go to restaurants nearby and I’m not that picky about food,” he says. “These people will walk around and start messaging in the Whatsapp group, ‘You have to try this, try this, try this,’ and I’m really grateful because if I come back to Koh Samui, I know where to go.”
Of course, Thapthimthong is no stranger to the local cuisine and has his own recommendations, including the Chiang Mai specialty khao soi, “like chicken, noodles and coconut milk lime soup,” he explains, and a simple grilled chicken, sticky rice and green papaya salad. “That’s usually my go-to and you can find it everywhere.”
The actor noted that when you visit Thailand, a simple gesture — namaste, the prayer hands motion that indicates gratitude — is enough to show your appreciation.
“That’s your best friend in Thailand, and you can take that anywhere,” he said.
In addition to a major career boost, Thapthimthong said he’s proud of his role as Gaitok because he gets the chance to represent his country and its people.
“I’m honored to be one of the representatives for Thailand this season,” he said. “Thailand has always been a popular holiday destination for people from all over the world, but I think it will work just as well for this show as Hawaii and Sicily. I know what it’s like to come here from a cold country. I’m glad this show is happening here.”
As the season draws to a close, viewers have largely seen Gaitok’s budding romance with his hotel colleague Mook (played by Lisa from K-pop group Blackpink), as well as the challenges he faces as a hotel security guard. Speaking about his character, Thapthimthong told T+L magazine that he is “a friendly guy, but he can also change his personality if needed. His plot will be very interesting.”
Jim
Tayme’s life is more exciting than the script! He switched from a military background to an actor, and was still a bodyguard during filming. As a result, he became popular after catching up on the first two seasons of “White Lotus” in a week – this opportunity is like the Thai version of “Happiness Knocks on the Door”!
Max
So Four Seasons Hotel looks like this is too real! From sleeping on a fisherman’s boat to the Anantara suite, this “worker’s experience of accidentally entering a rich man’s crew” is inexplicably down-to-earth. I want to see him write “White Lotus Set Survival Guide”~
Jason
An actor who can accurately recommend khao soi and night market grilled chicken is definitely a real local expert! It is recommended that the “White Lotus” crew directly ask him to shoot the Thai version of “Street Food Fighter”, and the Namaste teaching clip must be retained!
Leon
The speech of “representing the Thai people” is too good! Through the role of Gaitok, the world can see the warmth and wildness of Thailand, which is more convincing than the Tourism Bureau’s advertisements – I am already looking forward to the third season of Samui tourism boom!