‘The White Lotus’ Actor Tayme Thapthimthong on Traveling Thailand as a Local, His Favorite Regional Eats, and the One Gesture Every Visitor Should Know

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Actor Tayme Thapthimthong never watched The White Lotus before being cast as hotel security guard Gaitok on the popular HBO show. And while his character has generated lots of buzz since the show’s February premiere, Thapthimthong chatted with Travel + Leisure over the summer while the cast was filming on location in Thailand and told us all about his experience off and on camera. 

“It’s been amazing, nothing has really made me want to get out of bed this much,” Thapthimthong told T+L. “Waking up in a five-star hotel every time that I’m filming here has been surreal.”  

Thapthimthong, who was born and raised in London but spent summers with family in Thailand, moved to the South Asian country at age 22. With a military background and a side passion for acting, he scored various gigs in the past decade before his major break in The White Lotus. Coincidentally, he was working as a bodyguard when he got the role on the show—and then watched the first two seasons in a week. 

“It was something I never actually expected to happen, but it came along and I couldn’t be happier,” he said of the show that is set primarily at the luxe Four Seasons Koh Samui in Thailand, which is T+L’s 2025 Destination of the Year.

Off camera, Thapthimthong lives like any other local. He’s based in Bangkok and his passion for fitness leads him outside of the city for hiking and bouldering whenever possible. And since he grew up visiting Thailand during the summer, the country’s rainy season, the actor went full-fledged tourist upon his move from London and explored all over. 

“Since being here, I’m very adventurous,” he said. “Within the first three months of being here, I managed to meet someone that brought me down to a province a bit south of Phuket, and I actually lived with a fisherman family for two weeks on their boat, and I got to see that life where they used the stars to navigate at night and camp out.”

Thapthimthong, who also lived on a rice farm in his early Thailand days, found himself experiencing a more luxurious side of the country while filming The White Lotus. 

“This is like a whole new experience for me, I’ve never stayed at a Four Seasons before or an Anantara,” he said. “It’s been eye-opening for me, I’m like, ‘Oh wow, that’s what these rooms look like.’”

But regardless of accommodations, the actor’s explorations didn’t stop when he landed his role in The White Lotus. The show’s cast—which includes Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, and Walton Goggins—got to explore places together while filming. 

“I’ll eat at the nearest restaurant I see, I’m not that picky with food,” he said. “These guys, they go around and then they start sending into the Whatsapp group ‘You need to try this, try this, and try this,’ and that was something I really appreciate because if I come back to Koh Samui, I’ll know where to go.”  

Of course, Thapthimthong isn’t a stranger to local cuisine and has recommendations of his own, including Chiang Mai specialty khao soi “which is like a chicken, noodle, and coconut cream lime soup,” he explained, plus a simple grilled chicken, sticky rice, and papaya salad. “That’s usually my go-to, and you can find it anywhere.” 

And when you visit Thailand, the actor noted that a simple gesture—the wai, a praying hands motion that signifies gratitude—is all you need to communicate. 

“That’s your best friend in Thailand, you can go anywhere,” he said. 

Beyond a major career boost, Thapthimthong shares that he was proud of his role as Gaitok because he had the chance to represent his country and people, too. 

“I feel proud to actually get to be one of the people to represent Thailand in this season,” he said. “Thailand has always been a great holiday destination for people around the world, but I think this will really do what it did for Hawaii and Sicily. I know what it’s like to come from a colder country to this place. It’s great that the show is here.” 

With the season nearly over, viewers have mostly seen Gaitok’s budding relationship with fellow hotel staff member Mook (played by Lisa from K-pop group Blackpink) and his challenges as the hotel’s security guard. Of his character, Thapthimthong told T+L that he’s “a friendly guy, but he can switch it up if he needs to. His arc is going to be interesting.” 

The season finale of The White Lotus airs this Sunday on HBOMax.