Jaded in Paradise

Watching Thailand shift in real time

Hi from Hua Hin,
This week, I’ve been thinking about how places shift—not just physically but in how they're seen, experienced, and imagined. With Thailand in the global spotlight thanks to The White Lotus, I found myself reflecting on what it means to live in a place that so many people are just beginning to discover. Or rediscover. Here's a small meditation on that.

As The White Lotus wraps up its third season this Sunday, its focus on Thailand has sparked a wave of conversation. The series, known for satirizing wealth and privilege, has this time chosen temples, tropical islands, and spiritual searching as its setting.

I have lived in Thailand for the last 10 years, and it’s fascinating to see Thailand portrayed through this lens. This is a country I’ve grown to love, not just for its beauty and culture but for its depth, complexity, and warmth.

Thailand has always been a magnet for travellers. For decades, people have come seeking sunshine, freedom, healing, or something more elusive. There’s a long history here of exploration, spirituality, and generosity in how Thailand receives people from all over the world.

What feels different now is the sheer scale and polish of it all. Tourism has rebounded in a big way, and with that, a steady rise in new resorts, retreat centers, and curated “experiences.” There’s a growing sense that Thailand is being beautifully, strategically presented to the world as a place not just to visit but to be changed by.

And to a large extent, it is that. There’s something incredibly powerful about spending time here. The calm of temple mornings, the rhythm of the markets, the sound of the sea at dusk- those things can touch you, quietly and lastingly. It’s no wonder people come looking for meaning, rest, or renewal.

At the same time, as someone who’s been here a while, I notice how much has shifted. What was once spontaneous is now sometimes scheduled. Hidden beaches are easier to find than ever. The word “authentic” appears often, though what it means can be slippery. Still, that’s the nature of change. And it’s not a loss, it’s an evolution.

Thailand has managed this growth with remarkable grace. Its ability to welcome, adapt, and balance tradition with modern tourism is something I deeply admire. The cultural richness is still there—you just have to look for it, sometimes beyond the resort gate or the Instagram post. And often, it’s still found in the quietest, simplest places.

The White Lotus highlights the complicated desires people bring with them when they travel. The show invites us to ask why we seek certain places for transformation and what we might miss when we arrive with a story already in mind.

I won’t pretend I don’t occasionally feel jaded after ten years here. That’s part of staying anywhere long enough. But I also continue to be surprised - by a conversation at a roadside stall, by the generosity of a stranger, by the way the light shifts at sunset. Thailand hasn’t lost its magic. It just reveals it more slowly now, and maybe that’s a good thing.

So yes, The White Lotus may be shining a spotlight. And yes, tourism is changing things, as it always does. But from where I sit, the heart of this place still beats strong beneath the resorts, beyond the camera lens, and quietly, in everyday life.