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Actor Tayme Thapthimthong by no means watched The White Lotus earlier than being solid as resort safety guard Gaitok on the favored HBO present. And whereas his character has generated a number of buzz for the reason that present’s February premiere, Thapthimthong chatted with Journey + Leisure over the summer season whereas the solid was filming on location in Thailand and instructed us all about his expertise on and off digital camera.
“It’s been wonderful, nothing has actually made me need to get away from bed this a lot,” Thapthimthong instructed T+L. “Waking up in a five-star resort each time that I’m filming right here has been surreal.”
Thapthimthong, who was born and raised in London however spent summers with household in Thailand, moved to the South Asian nation at age 22. With a navy background and a aspect ardour for performing, he scored varied gigs previously decade earlier than his main break in The White Lotus. Coincidentally, he was working as a bodyguard when he acquired the position on the present—after which watched the primary two seasons in every week.
“It was one thing I by no means really anticipated to occur, but it surely got here alongside and I couldn’t be happier,” he stated of the present that’s set primarily on the luxe 4 Seasons Koh Samui in Thailand, which is T+L’s 2025 Vacation spot of the Yr.
Courtesy of Tayme Thapthimthong
Off digital camera, Thapthimthong lives like another native. He’s primarily based in Bangkok and his ardour for health leads him exterior of the town for mountaineering and bouldering every time potential. And since he grew up visiting Thailand through the summer season, the nation’s wet season, the actor went full-fledged vacationer upon his transfer from London and explored throughout.
“Since being right here, I’m very adventurous,” he stated. “Inside the first three months of being right here, I managed to fulfill somebody that introduced me all the way down to a province a bit south of Phuket, and I really lived with a fisherman household for 2 weeks on their boat, and I acquired to see that life the place they used the celebrities to navigate at night time and camp out.”
Thapthimthong, who additionally lived on a rice farm in his early Thailand days, discovered himself experiencing a extra luxurious aspect of the nation whereas filming The White Lotus.
“This is sort of a complete new expertise for me, I’ve by no means stayed at a 4 Seasons earlier than or an Anantara,” he stated. “It’s been eye-opening for me, I’m like, ‘Oh wow, that’s what these rooms seem like.’”
Courtesy of Tayme Thapthimthong
However no matter lodging, the actor’s explorations didn’t cease when he landed his position in The White Lotus. The present’s solid—which incorporates Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, and Walton Goggins—acquired to discover locations collectively whereas filming.
“I’ll eat on the nearest restaurant I see, I’m not that choosy with meals,” he stated. “These guys, they go round after which they begin sending into the Whatsapp group ‘That you must do that, do that, and do that,’ and that was one thing I actually recognize as a result of if I come again to Koh Samui, I am going to know the place to go.”
After all, Thapthimthong isn’t a stranger to native delicacies and has suggestions of his personal, together with Chiang Mai specialty khao soi “which is sort of a hen, noodle, and coconut cream lime soup,” he defined, plus a easy grilled hen, sticky rice, and papaya salad. “That’s normally my go-to, and you will discover it anyplace.”
And whenever you go to Thailand, the actor famous {that a} easy gesture—the wai, a praying palms movement that signifies gratitude—is all you should talk.
“That’s your greatest pal in Thailand, you may go anyplace,” he stated.
Past a serious profession enhance, Thapthimthong shares that he was happy with his position as Gaitok as a result of he had the prospect to signify his nation and other people, too.
“I really feel proud to really get to be one of many folks to signify Thailand on this season,” he stated. “Thailand has all the time been an incredible vacation vacation spot for folks all over the world, however I believe this may actually do what it did for Hawaii and Sicily. I do know what it is like to return from a colder nation to this place. It’s nice that the present is right here.”
Courtesy of HBO
With the season practically over, viewers have largely seen Gaitok’s budding relationship with fellow resort employees member Mook (performed by Lisa from Okay-pop group Blackpink) and his challenges because the resort’s safety guard. Of his character, Thapthimthong instructed T+L that he’s “a pleasant man, however he can change it up if he must. His arc goes to be fascinating.”
The season finale of The White Lotus airs this Sunday on HBOMax.