Pictures courtesy of Bangkokpost

Tourist numbers have surged at Thale Bua Daeng, Udon Thani’s famed Sea of Pink Water Lilies, following the release of a promotional video and images featuring Thai K-pop star Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal, with visitors queuing before dawn to secure boat tickets. Since early Saturday, large numbers of Thai and foreign tourists have arrived at Ban Diam pier in Kumphawapi district, some lining up before 5am when ticket offices open. The sudden influx has prompted government agencies to step up safety, service and traffic management at the site.

The increase in visitors followed the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) release on Tuesday of a promotional poster showing Lisa against the backdrop of the lake. The campaign is part of the Amazing Thailand x Lisa initiative, leveraging the global popularity of the artist, who serves as an Amazing Thailand Ambassador. Many tourists said they were inspired by the campaign and travelled specifically to recreate the photographs featured in the promotion.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the rapid rise in visitor numbers required immediate coordination to ensure safety and service standards. Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports Natreeya Taweewong told Naewna Online on Sunday that agencies were instructed to closely monitor boat operations, safety equipment, vessel standards and traffic management. Measures were also ordered to prevent excessively long queues and ensure fair treatment and transparent pricing for tourists.

Under the coordinated plan, the Department of Tourism has been tasked with inspecting operators and preventing overcharging, while the Tourist Police Bureau has been told to increase security checks and emergency-response readiness. Tourist assistance centres are providing information, support and channels for complaints. Ms Natreeya said the “Lisa Effect” was a valuable opportunity to promote Thailand’s natural attractions, cultural heritage and local communities, particularly in lesser-known secondary cities, alongside maintaining safety and service quality.

TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said many visitors had not previously known about Thale Bua Daeng but decided to fly to Udon Thani and hire vans or boats after seeing the campaign. About 50,000 tourists have visited the lake since the blooming season began in December, with the majority being foreign travellers. The surge has been especially noticeable on weekdays, which were previously quieter.

Boat operators are now running more than 100 trips per day to meet demand, and group tour bookings for February are strong, with many requesting the same wooden boat style shown in Lisa’s poster. Ms Thapanee said the main 25,000-rai area of pink water lilies is expected to remain in full bloom until mid-February. A second 5,000-rai area at Koh Don Luang is forecast to bloom from mid-February to mid-March, extending the visitor season before the hot months begin.

Key Takeaways

• Visitor numbers at Thale Bua Daeng surged after the Amazing Thailand x Lisa campaign was released.

• Authorities ordered tighter coordination on safety, pricing and service standards due to the influx.

• The blooming season is expected to continue until mid-March across different lake areas.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkokpost 2026-01-26

 

 

Tourist numbers up in one location, therefore big tourist surge in Thailand.

Looks amazing!

It’s the sort of place that is very nice if there aren’t crowds. I went years ago and enjoyed it, but you have to go in the morning to catch the flowers open. Don’t think it would be so enjoyable with lots of people. It’s not a very big lake and a just a 15 - 20 minute boat trip in a dinghy, on an open lake. Unless it’s changed since I went.

So sad that the “discovery” of a new tourist attraction immediately triggers the equivalent of an emergency response team to stop scams and over charging. Sometimes the desire of my fellow man to rip off other human beings is overpowering.

I did get a great picture of my then 7 year old daughter while out on the lake. I had it blown up and framed. I still enjoy looking at that picture today.

Like everything else in Thailand, if there is the slightest possibility of making money, it gets swamped with those who see a quick way to make a buck. What was then once beautiful, becomes an over crowded mess. There will very soon be so many boats, the water lilies will be dead in no time, plus the over crowded boats that will sink, a few will die and then something will possibly be done stem the flow of tourists?

Only in Thailand!

Another place ruined by tourists.

3 hours ago, Surasak said:

Like everything else in Thailand, if there is the slightest possibility of making money, it gets swamped with those who see a quick way to make a buck. What was then once beautiful, becomes an over crowded mess. There will very soon be so many boats, the water lilies will be dead in no time, plus the over crowded boats that will sink, a few will die and then something will possibly be done stem the flow of tourists?

Only in Thailand!

I really really want you to be wrong- but sadly we all know you are likely to be proven right in time

Look at Maya Bay as a prime example of the consequences for a beautiful place when it is "discovered" and flocked to by tourists

Lisa hot af.

Nothing to do with the Lisa campaign...these tourists would have booked their holiday before the Lisa campaign started, considering the Red "lotus" bloom this time of the year every year, and tourist number go up, because of it.

I presume they are Thai tourists.

The Thai Government thinks nothing about overcharging those with white skin.

On 1/26/2026 at 3:41 AM, Georgealbert said:

Many tourists said they were inspired by the campaign and travelled specifically to recreate the photographs featured in the promotion.

Many tourists admitted they were sheep led from selfie spot to selfie spot by selfies spotted on instatok.

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I went there some years ago - when I was in the area at the right time of the year anyway - and it was nice enough. But I don't think it's the kind of "attraction" that justifies traveling there all the way from wherever. Just another dumb hype, soon to be forgotten I'd imagine.