Before the Samui-centric third season of The White Lotus unfolded onscreen, it bloomed quietly in the capital’s Bangkok Noi district. Within this densely populated area with over 300,000 residents, a single canalside villa helped set the story in motion.
As the home of fictional resort owners Sritala (Lek Patravadi) and Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn), Siri Sala appears in the series as the Hollinger House – a lush, layered setting that takes centre stage in the penultimate episode, where Rick (Walton Goggins) finally confronts the man that he believes killed his father.
As the world tunes in for the grand finale of The White Lotus (no spoilers here, but you should see it, it’s intense), we pause and rewind to a time when a tucked away Bangkok villa sparked something in Mike White.
A single visit, a passing view of a temple or an inspiring conversation on a canal – any of it could’ve been the catalyst. From conversations with those close to the shoot and the clues left on screen, it’s clear that Siri Sala left its mark. Not only did it play a part in shaping this season’s story, it became one of the most magnetic places for those keen to trace its creative origins.
The story behind the story
‘Siri Sala was one of the places Mike White visited when first coming to Thailand in 2023, scouting for the show and seeking inspiration for his yet-to-be-conceived storyline,’ villa owner Irma Go revealed to Time Out. ‘During his visit we took him to see Wat Suwannaram across the canal. We didn’t realise it at the time, but we were delighted to discover upon seeing the opening credits of episode one that that moment probably helped spark his creative process and contributed to the series.’
That temple – Wat Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan – would go on to become a central motif in the series. The haunting murals by master artist Ajan Thong Yu appear in the show’s opening credits, seeding themes of pleasure, strife and fate. It’s a creative echo of that early moment: an unplanned visit across the canal from Siri Sala that would quietly shape the series’ tone.
‘If you visit the temple yourself, you’ll notice the artwork in the credits is a bit different to the actual temple murals,’ pointed out Rheut Nakchuen, a historian who guided Time Out around the temple last week. ‘At points you’ll find characters flipped around, erased or replaced by artwork from another nearby temple, Wat Suthat Thep Wararam Ratchaworamahawihan.’
Interestingly the temple was also the shooting location for the market dinner date between Mook (Lalisa Manobal) and Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) – with the temple courtyard converted into a typical market, cosplaying as a bustling island set piece in episode seven.
Bangkok Noi goes big
There’s no doubt now – after episode eight of The White Lotus which aired this morning in Thailand (no spoilers here!) – that Siri Sala played a pivotal role in this season’s thread of intersected character paths. But for those who know it well, Siri Sala represents something more.
Set on a quiet canal in Bangkok Noi, Siri Sala invites guests to slow down and engage with a more contemplative side of the city – one that clearly made an impact on the show’s creator, Mike White. And if this corner of Bangkok could spark his imagination, it’s fair to say it’s a must-visit for anyone seeking a city experience that’s as exclusive as it is meaningful.
‘It’s amazing to think that in a busy metropolitan city like Bangkok, a quiet canal in Bangkok Noi can continue to inspire a story that resonates with the whole world,’ Irma added, as she points out the waterways previously shown to Mike White.
But there’s more to the story than just scenery. The origins of Siri Sala itself may have also helped secure its place as the fictional Hollinger House for other reasons.
Built on land belonging to a family from Bangkok Noi, the villa was designed to preserve the memories, textures and stories of the neighbourhood it calls home. Step inside and you’ll find it brimming with antiques, heirlooms and personal history – a living museum of the district’s past.
‘Each room has something from the old home,’ Irma explains. One suite features a clay wash barrel once used daily and still fully functional, while another showcases a centuries-old teak dressing table, passed down through generations, now taking pride of place in the main villa suite.
In fact, that tense scene in episode seven – where Rick confronts Jim Hollinger – was filmed in Siri Sala’s original Heritage House, a preserved wooden structure originally a floating wooden stilt home along the river.
Built in the Ruan Panya style, its intricate teak panelling, shuttered windows and original fixtures, it’s a striking example of Bangkok’s traditional canal-side homes – now nestled in the property’s garden as a refuge for guests and a subtle reminder that the most powerful stories are often grounded in very real places.
In one poetic touch, the HBO team dressed Siri Sala’s pier with metal lotus-topped pillars – a deliberate nod to the show’s themes, leaving them behind once all was done as if a symbolic gesture, a full-circle moment: the place that quietly sparked Mike White’s imagination was now physically marked by his story. The villa didn’t just inspire the plot – it became part of it.
Predictions and conspiracy
In the weeks leading up to episode seven airing, conspiracy and speculation about the story floated around the Big Mango. Word had got out that back in the summer of 2024, The White Lotus crew spent several weeks filming on location at Siri Sala, transforming the property into the richly layered Hollinger House.
‘Our team wasn’t on set while they were filming, but we saw how beautifully they enhanced the space through their set design,’ shared Irma. ‘They selected Thai fabrics, furniture and ‘objects d’art’ that really helped tell their story through minute attention to detail. Siri Sala already has its own story to tell as reimagined traditional wood stilt houses in a modern riverside setting, but The White Lotus crew did something amazing in transforming it to the Hollinger House.’
Without a clue what would be shown in the final cut, the screening of episode seven at the villa itself was the first time Irma saw the episode, alongside Time Out. Her first comment; ‘I wondered if the scratch on the floor of our Heritage House is from that chair tipping moment.’
Watching the scene play out while standing in the very space it was shot is a surreal experience – one that awaits any guest at the villa looking to step into the world of The White Lotus. Even Lek Patravadi, who plays Sritala, had something to say about the villa’s impact. In a recent Instagram post, she reflected on her time filming at Siri Sala.
‘The house of Jim and Sritala in The White Lotus is a Thai style house in Khlong Bangkok Noi,’ the post reads. ‘For me, the magic is the view behind, where a large Buddha statue can be seen, standing tall.’
She also shared how the show's signature atmosphere was created. ‘The lighting team didn’t just set up the lights in the house, but they also set up lights on the roofs of other houses across the canal that reflected golden in the canal waters.’
This season of The White Lotus spared no expense. Eagle-eyed fans were quick to catalogue the luxury wardrobe details – from Jim Thompson silks to glittering watches and high-end jewellery.
And Lek, for one, was more than happy to play in that world – even for just a few days. ‘That day at Siri Sala, I wore a set of diamonds, including an emerald ring with a large square-shaped stone. The total price of this alone was almost one hundred million baht. I got to live a luxurious, bloodthirsty life for once in my life. The drama is over, and today I’m back to reality wearing a pair of earrings that cost me three hundred and fifty baht.’
The set jet experience
Fans of The White Lotus wishing to walk in the footsteps of their favourite characters, sans pain and murder, will find a treasure trove of familiar backdrops at Siri Sala.
Included in any stay, guests can – and often do – request a full ‘Journeys of The White Lotus’ package which includes a special lotus-themed welcome dinner, lotus-inspired cocktails at Heritage House and Thai lotus flower folding activities.
Special showings of the series and the episodes that feature Siri Sala are available for anyone who wants to pause the show and recreate iconic scenes in the very space they were shot. For the proudest superfans an exclusive, in-depth house tour of Siri Sala and production stories is also on the cards.
Beyond the private villa, guests can immerse themselves in a variety of curated experiences. Start your day with a traditional alms-giving ceremony at Wat Suwannaram Ratchaworawihan, a serene and meaningful cultural ritual. Those lucky enough to get reservations at Mandarin Oriental’s iconic Bamboo Bar, just a short boat ride away, can indulge in exquisite dining at the Michelin-starred Osha, embark on scenic longtail boat cruises, or explore the timeless charm of Jim Thompson silks.
Siri Sala was more than just a stunning backdrop for the series; it became one of its many roots. What started as a quiet visit to a villa by the canal blossomed into one of the most emotionally profound seasons of The White Lotus. On screen, the story came full circle, mirroring, perhaps, Mike White’s own creative journey – a poignant reminder that the most powerful stories often return to where they began.