Nudity, naughty requests, and new revelations: Episode 7 of The White Lotus Season 3 did not disappoint. From Sritala’s romantic Thai home by the river to the exact nightclub Rick and Frank visit, here’s our local review of the latest episode of this hit show.
As Mike White’s award-winning The White Lotus takes to Thailand for season 3, we’re reviewing the show through a critical, local lens. On #WhiteLotusWatch for the next weeks, stay tuned for our weekly reviews on special details, shooting locations, and cultural nuances you may have missed.
Episode 7 is titled ‘Killer Instincts,’ and our instincts fear that big drama awaits in the finale. While the pre-finale episode brings some new information, Mike White’s slow burn is really testing this time. From a local’s perspective, we see the return of Thai-Swedish actress Praya Lundberg, the first appearance of Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn) and his special connection to Thailand, and two very real female heroes of the entertainment and hospitality industries. The Thai soundtrack continues to bring us a few bangers, and for expats, there’s even a nod to the troubles of overstaying your visa.
While general reviews on the episode can be found far and wide, we watched The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 7 from a Thai perspective, and with plenty of insider knowledge. Here are key things you may have missed.
The White Lotus Season 3 Episode 7 reviewed by a Thai person: Key things you may have missed
New filming locations in this episode including a real Muay Thai stadium and a beloved Bangkok night club
Episode 7 is a continuation of the previous day, portrayed in Episode 6. Therefore, some of the filming locations are repeated. These include the Hollinger home, filmed at the gorgeous Siri Sala Private Villa in Bangkok, Gary’s (Jon Gries) house, split between Samujana Villas in Samui and Villa Amaravida in Phuket, and Samui’s Fisherman’s Village, where Laurie (Carrie Coon) does her night-time walk back to the hotel. In Bangkok, we also get a quick glimpse of where Rick (Walton Goggins) is staying, at the Mandarin Oriental.
Major new filming locations include the Bangla Boxing Stadium in Phuket, where some of the guests and hotel staff head out for an evening of fun. This is a real stadium located in buzzing Patong, where Muay Thai fights take place every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9pm. The fights are known to be very fast-paced and especially exhilarating for newcomers. Entry is priced at THB 1500 for regular seats or THB 1900 for VIP seats.
Meanwhile, back in Bangkok, Rick and Frank (Sam Rockwell) decide to go out on the town after their meeting at the Hollinger house. Whilst it is only shown for a few seconds, we knew it from the get-go: they party at Sing Sing Theater. Located in Bangkok’s Thonglor entertainment district, the boutique club features many local and international acts every night, and is known for its Neo-Chinoiserie decor, and stylish dancers. The lanterns look very real to us, as do the swings from which the performers hang out above the crowd. However, whilst they are seen topless in the show, this uniform isn’t entirely accurate.
In case you want to replicate the hilarious scene where Laurie climbs out the window, the shooting location for Aleksei’s (Julian Kostov) apartment is actually Magical Weed Garden Lounge in Koh Samui. Fun fact? Mirella Ilieva, an extra who plays one of the girls who scolds Aleksei, is actually dating Julian Kostov in real life.
Mook wears a dress by Thai brand Mitr, and other Thai brands are present, too
We have been loving the casual placement of Thai brands throughout the season, and in this episode, Mook (Lalisa Manobal) is seen wearing a Thai designer dress. Heading out on a date with Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong), she wears the Poisson Cru Mini Dress (THB 2290) by Bangkok-based brand Mitr. Her look is completed with a bespoke ‘Say My Name’ necklace by Thai jewellery brand Pacharee.
Other Thai brands featured include Victoria Ratliff (Parker Posey) in a Jim Thompson River Silk Twill Shawl (THB 6250), made from 100% silk.
Fun fact? On the same date with Mook, Gaitok wears this shirt from Uniqlo.
The video of Sritala’s performance is real, as Lek Patravadi really sang and danced to this song back in 1992
There are many similarities between actress Lek Patravadi Mejudhon and the character she portrays, Sritala Hollinger. One thing they have in common is that they are both very successful actresses, who also know how to sing.
Imagine our surprise, then, when The White Lotus actually used real footage from one of Lek Patravadi’s performances. In the scene where fake-director Frank and Sritala watch one of her old tapes — Frank describes it as a mashup of MC Hammer, Peter Pan, and Pippin — a real 1992 performance by Lek Patravadi can be seen.
Here, she sings an upbeat Lam Tad (Thai antiphon). It is also the same song she performs at the hotel in Episode 2.
Additionally, Sritala’s mention of one of her past movie, Jao Ying Jam Laeng is also a real reference. It is actually a book: A Royal Masquerade by Arlene James.
The lady in the Mandarin Oriental elevator has worked at the hotel for 35 years
It is no secret now that The White Lotus guest stars and extras often make for charming Easter eggs, exciting local viewers like ourselves. In Episode 7, we spot Khun Mayuree, Guest Relations Director of the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.
In the scene where Rick and Frank head back upstairs to Rick’s Oriental Suite, Khun Mayuree assists them with the elevator. True to her role in real life, she has worked at the historic Bangkok hotel for over 35 years, and has definitely seen a lot. In an official press release from the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Khun Mayuree states, “Hospitality is about storytelling and every guest who walks through our doors becomes part of ours. Seeing our hotel come to life on screen makes me even prouder of the warmth and service we share with the world every day.”
As an extra gem, look closely at what happens in the hotel suite, and you may spot Thailand’s beloved green Hong Thai yadom on the table.
As locals, we can’t help but draw parallels between Jim Hollinger and Jim Thompson
Anyone who has been watching The White Lotus Season 3 through a local lens may have noticed the similarities between Jim Hollinger and Jim Thompson. While the former is a fictional character, the latter was a real person, and their stories are somehow intertwined — even beyond their identical first names.
Like Jim Hollinger, James Harrison Wilson Thompson, more commonly known as Jim Thompson, was an American businessman who helped bring the Thai silk industry back to life in the 1950s and 1960s. He became very, very successful, and his brand lives on until this day. In fact, many Jim Thompson silk pieces can be spotted throughout this season of the show.
The American businessman famously also resided in a traditional Thai wooden villa by the water, very much like the one in which Jim Hollinger lives. Today, Thompson’s ‘House on the Klong’ is actually a museum that visitors can check out.
While Jim Hollinger’s fate is still uncertain to us, Jim Thompson suffered an unusual end to his life, when he mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands in 1967. While theories vary as to whether he was assassinated, attacked by a tiger, or merely suffered a stroke of bad luck, what really happened to the ‘Thai silk king’ remains a mystery to this day.
Something tells us that this story definitely piqued the interest of Mike White.
Thai music in Episode 7: A wedding song, a boxing song, and molam during a sex scene
The same way our ears stand up every time the old theme song slowly creeps into some of the scenes, we’ve been noticing a pattern in the music choices for The White Lotus Season 3.
This is the third time A Thai Wedding by Imade Saputra plays when guests exit one location to go to another. Upbeat and exciting, it is well-fitting every time, though we wonder what the greater significance may be. In Episode 7, it plays as Rick and Frank rush out of the Hollinger home.
Meanwhile, new Thai songs include Cheewit Chaonaa 1 by Chawiwan Damnoen, a Thai molam singer from Ratchatani. This plays during one of the sex scenes, keeping things very exciting.
As the closing credits come on, the catchy Thai Boxing by Jiraphand Ong-Ard plays, adding a light-hearted disco energy to round out a fairly dark episode.
