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HBO announced that its hit series The White Lotus is returning for season 3 in Thailand, a location that will completely change the landscape of the show. With its previous two seasons taking place at luxury resorts in Hawaii and Italy, Thailand represents the show’s first setting that exists outside the Westernized world. This major location switch could create new issues for the comically pampered, self-centered, and super-wealthy characters that the show typically portrays. The hotel guests of The White Lotus Season 3 could face challenges in ways they hadn’t been in previous seasons due to the customary differences between Thailand and the Western world.
Creator of The White Lotus Mike White, whose longtime friend Johnny Knoxville nearly spoiled season 3’s location, is expected to maintain the core satirical theme of the popular series by displaying characters who are widely insular, childish, entitled, and extremely fortunate. The inflated egos of these characters are typically reinforced by the staff members of the luxury resorts who are forced to cater to their guests’ demanding needs because of the societal implications of their wealthy status. White has already commented that season 3 would have a new focus on Eastern tradition, religion, and spirituality that the previous seasons lacked, which hints that setting the stage in Thailand will change the show entirely.
Thailand Is Heavily Influenced By Buddhism
Buddhism is the national religion of Thailand and is practiced by the vast majority of its citizens. The religion is felt in virtually every aspect of Thailand’s culture and infrastructure. Buddhist temples and monks are very much a part of modern life. The philosophy and teachings of the Buddha are continuously acknowledged as a daily lifestyle. Buddhist principles are integrated into daily routines and are actively practiced by many Thai each day. While Thailand does not discriminate against other religions or faith, the impact of Buddhism in both societal and individual contexts is inescapable. With this level of broad religious devotion comes certain cultural expectations that tourists should be aware of.
While the official cast of The White Lotus season 3 has not yet been released, the previous hotel guests are all wealthy vacationing Americans, which is likely to occur again through both new and familiar White Lotus characters. Previous characters hardly expressed much consideration for the people outside their insular worlds, let alone a religious doctrine or a spiritual philosophy. The overarching influence of Buddhism in Thailand will present new challenges to these characters who will most likely be aloof to proper conduct when encountering monks or sculptures of the Buddha. It could also inspire a new theme for the series in which some of the characters aim to integrate Buddhist ideals into their own lives.
Thai Culture Is Centered On Its Traditions
Thailand’s modern culture is still heavily influenced by ancient tradition, which is likely to catch some of the uninformed White Lotus season 3 ensemble off-guard. Concepts such as respect, hierarchy, and maintaining calm are taken very seriously and are strictly adhered to by many Thai. Speaking about the royal monarchy or the Buddha can put foreigners in hot water whether the intention of the statement was positive or negative, and could even get tourists arrested. It is also traditional in Thailand to treat elders with extreme respect and to be polite to waiters at restaurants. This opens more possible avenues of trouble for impatient, bossy, American guests.
The severity of punishment for disobeying Thai customs creates new tension for White Lotus characters. The previous characters never had to take these cultural considerations into account while vacationing in Hawaii or Italy. Thailand is referred to as the “Land of Smiles” because of the great lengths its people go to maintain their calm demeanors. It is traditionally seen as dishonorable in Thailand for someone to become upset or angry in public. If The White Lotus season 3 characters remain true to form, it’s inevitable that one or several of them will have some type of emotional outburst and will face cultural ridicule in ways that have yet to be seen on the show.
The Concept of Losing Face Is Preeminent
“Losing face” is a concept in Thai culture regarding a public embarrassment or disgrace that basically tarnishes your reputation permanently. “Saving face” largely has to do with the desire to keep things positive and avoid the temptation of pointing out negative things. The easiest way to lose face in Thailand is to get angry, even when the reason for getting upset is valid. In Thai culture, it’s better to politely hide your feelings than to acknowledge an honest but unpleasant truth. Complaints of service or criticism of others can quickly place someone under public scrutiny. Knowing the character types in The White Lotus, it’s very likely that someone will “lose face” in season 3.
American and Eastern cultural norms are fated to clash in season 3 of The White Lotus. This will elevate the discourse on Westernized wealth and status by contrasting the forms of acceptable behavior on both sides. Seeing wealthy Americans “lose face” in Thailand would highlight the notion that wealth shouldn’t enable or excuse blatant disrespect or misconduct. This new discourse would also raise questions as to why this type of selfish and inconsiderate behavior is permitted by Americans in their own society. It would be satisfying to watch the local culture act against The White Lotus guests as a natural response to their harmful and inconsiderate actions.
Thai And Western Customs Are Very Different
The characters in season 3 of The White Lotus would be wise to greet with a wai, which is similar to a bow, instead of a fist bump. They’d also do well knowing the food customs in Thailand where people often share meals rather than have individual courses for themselves. They should also know the seriousness of never touching someone’s head and the strangeness of shaking someone’s hand. Being aware that pointing is considered rude and that stepping on Thai money is unacceptable would also prevent them from “losing face.” The show has yet to place its characters in a location where cultural assimilation is essential to their experience, making season 3 the first of its kind.
Vacationing in Thailand could very well present the wealthy American characters in The White Lotus season 3 with a set of customary requests with respect to Thai tradition. This is likely to interfere with their Westernized notions of being on vacation and will ultimately create frustration and tension if the characters refuse to play along. There are dozens of ways the characters in The White Lotus season 3 could attract unwanted attention by not knowing or following the traditional and religious customs of Thailand. The potential for the show’s location to become a source of dramatic conflict itself is why season 3 of the popular series will be unlike any other.
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