Udon Thani: Discover Thailand's Red Lotus Pond, a global sensation thanks to the Lisa Effect.
Lisa (Blackpink)'s popularity is driving a surge in international visitors to the Red Lotus Lake, making Udon Thani the most attractive destination during the lotus blooming season in early 2025.
The Red Lotus Pond (Talay Bua Daeng), a unique wetland area in Kumphawapi County, Udon Thani Province, is experiencing a tourism boom thanks to promotion by global singer Lisa (Blackpink). With millions of pink lotus flowers blooming on the water's surface, this destination is becoming a major attraction for international tourists during the lotus flower season in early 2025.
The appeal of the "Lisa Effect" and The White Lotus
The surge in tourist numbers is being called the "Lisa effect" by Thai tourism officials. Singer Lalisa Manobal, a member of the popular K-pop group Blackpink, not only participated in promotional campaigns for the Tourism Authority of Thailand but also marked a new milestone as an actress in the third season of the HBO series "The White Lotus."
Notably, even before the film's official release in February 2025, searches and bookings for resorts in Thailand had already surged. The promotional campaign, featuring Lisa, aimed to bring lesser-known locations in her homeland to global attention.
Changes in the structure of tourists
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, representative of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that the Red Lotus Lake traditionally attracts mainly domestic tourists. However, this year's flowering season has seen the proportion of foreign tourists almost equal to that of Thai tourists. Specifically, out of a total of more than 50,000 visitors from December 2025 to the end of January 2026, international visitors accounted for 48.27%.
The majority of international visitors come from countries such as China, Laos, Japan, and Germany. This significant interest from abroad is clear evidence of the influence of contemporary cultural icons on local tourism.
Enjoying the scenery at Ban Diam pier.
To fully enjoy the beauty of the Red Lotus Lake, visitors usually gather at Ban Diam pier from 4 am. This is the ideal time to take a boat out to the middle of the lake and watch the sunrise gradually appear over the endless fields of pink lotus flowers.
- The best time:Lotus flowers bloom profusely from January to February each year.
- Service frequency:Currently, local boat services operate around 400 trips per day, a fourfold increase compared to the 100 trips of previous seasons.
- Facilities:The increase in tourist numbers has brought significant income to boat drivers and small businesses, while also boosting safety and service standards in the area.
Mr. Praisit Sukrom, chairman of the Red Lotus Tourism Enterprise, noted that the number of visitors even surpassed that of the traditional Lunar New Year holiday. Officials predict around 120,000 visitors throughout this year's flowering season, solidifying Udon Thani's new position on the Southeast Asian tourism map.
