Amid the unfolding events of The White Lotus season three set in Thailand, a sense of foreboding shrouds the fictional resort, symbolized by subtle allusions to a devastating tsunami. One character visualizes herself stepping into a tumultuous wave, while another shares a chilling video clip of a tsunami hitting the area. (Interestingly, the news footage featured in the show is authentic footage from the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, one of the deadliest disasters in history, claiming an estimated 230,000 lives across 14 countries, including over 5,000 in Thailand.)
While The White Lotus is a work of fiction, its backdrop is a reality. The series was shot at the picturesque Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui. Although the island largely escaped the 2004 catastrophe, it prompts the question: What are the chances of a future tsunami in this vicinity?
Nestled on Thailand’s east coast in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is naturally insulated from the types of tsunamis that can lash the country’s western shores. Experts suggest that while a tsunami hitting Koh Samui is not impossible, it would necessitate very specific and unusual conditions. For such an event to occur, a massive earthquake would need to strike in the South China Sea, particularly close to the Philippines, with sufficient force to trigger a potent tsunami. However, based on historical data and geological studies, the likelihood of this scenario is less than once every 400 years.
Even in the unlikely event of such a catastrophe, the Gulf of Thailand’s geography acts as a protective barrier against destructive waves. The seabed in the area is relatively shallow and slopes gently, causing an incoming tsunami to dissipate much of its energy before reaching the shore. Therefore, while the theoretical possibility of a tsunami exists, it would probably be substantially weakened by the time it reaches Koh Samui’s coastline, minimizing its potential impact.
Despite the minimal real-world threat of a tsunami at The White Lotus filming location, Thailand as a whole remains vigilant. The country has made significant investments in earthquake monitoring systems and tsunami detection buoys to ensure quick alerts to any potential dangers.
In conclusion, while Max’s latest season of The White Lotus delivers a deluge of drama, in reality, the Four Seasons Koh Samui is unlikely to face imminent peril.
For more weather-related content, visit weather.com: Myanmar Earthquake Topples Buildings in Thailand, ‘Wicked’ Debut: The Weather Behind Oz, A Look at Tornado Forecasting in ‘Twisters.’
