Tayme Thapthimthong’s journey from working in security to landing a breakout role in The White Lotus is truly remarkable. Before stepping into the limelight, he wore many hats—bouncer, military officer, singer, actor, and even a personal bodyguard. His past experiences have shaped his approach to acting, particularly in his role as Gaitok, a security guard at a high-end resort in Thailand. Being cast in The White Lotus wasn’t just another acting job for him—it was a moment of validation for all the years he had spent honing his craft in different fields.
From Bouncer to Military to Acting
Tayme’s unconventional career path has often raised eyebrows. He recalls how his parents struggled to understand his ambitions when he first expressed interest in both military service and performing arts. “They were like, ‘Make up your mind. Do you want to serve the country or be in a music video?’” he jokes. But for him, the two weren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, he believes his military background gave him the discipline needed to survive in the entertainment industry.
Even as a bouncer, Tayme approached his job with a sense of professionalism and problem-solving rather than brute force. “I always preferred de-escalation over aggression,” he explains. “People assume being a bouncer is all about being tough, but it’s more about reading the room and controlling situations before they escalate.” That understanding of human behavior helped him craft his performance as Gaitok, a security guard who is just trying to do his job in a world of wealthy and often unpredictable guests.
The White Lotus Experience
Despite his real-life experience, Tayme had to unlearn a lot while playing Gaitok. His instincts as a trained security professional made him look too polished for a character who was just a regular resort employee. “When I first held a gun on set, I checked the safety automatically. The director had to remind me, ‘You’re not ex-military here. You’re just a guy holding a gun for the first time,’” he recalls. The smallest details, like how he stood or how he responded to guests, had to be adjusted to fit the more casual nature of his character.
Though he had appeared in films like Farang and Mechanic: Resurrection, The White Lotus has given him a new level of recognition. “Before this, I could walk around Bangkok freely. Now, people stop me on the street,” he says. The shift from working as a bodyguard for celebrities to now being in the public eye himself is something he’s still adjusting to. “It’s surreal. One day I was making sure VIPs were safe, and now I have security of my own at events,” he laughs.
First Meeting with Lisa
Tayme’s chemistry with Lisa of Blackpink has become one of the biggest talking points of the season. While he wasn’t a K-pop fan before, he knew exactly how famous Lisa was—thanks to his daughter. “My daughter worships Lisa,” he admits. “So when I found out we’d be working together, I knew this was a huge deal.”
Their first meeting at a cast dinner in Samui was straight out of a movie. “She arrived last because she had just flown in from Korea,” he recalls. “She walked in wearing this white Louis Vuitton dress, and I wasn’t sure if I should shake her hand or do the Thai ‘wai’ bow. But she just smiled and said, ‘Let’s get a drink.’ That broke the ice immediately.”
Their bond only grew from there. Since they had most of their scenes together, they spent a lot of time on and off-set. Whether it was grabbing meals, jet skiing, or just watching the monitors, their friendship translated naturally to their on-screen chemistry. “If we didn’t have that real connection, our scenes could’ve felt stiff. But it all just clicked,” he says.
Interestingly, while fans might assume Tayme started listening to K-pop after working with Lisa, their music conversations went in a completely different direction. “She’s a huge Afrobeats fan,” he reveals. “She introduced me to Tyla, and I introduced her to Burna Boy and Wizkid. It was nice to finally recommend her something for once.”
A Step Forward for Asian Representation
One of the things Tayme is most proud of is how The White Lotus Season 3 highlights Asian representation in a globally recognized show. “It’s one thing to have Asian actors in the background, but to have key players in the story—that’s a game-changer,” he says. He acknowledges that there’s still a long way to go in Hollywood’s treatment of Asian actors, but he’s optimistic about the progress being made. “The industry is shifting, and I’m grateful to be part of that change.”
With The White Lotus continuing to gain popularity, Tayme’s star is only rising. But despite the newfound fame, he remains grounded. “At the end of the day, I’m still the same guy. I just happen to be on TV now,” he says with a smile.
New episodes of The White Lotus Season 3 drop every Monday on JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar.
