UDON THANI, Thailand – A tourism campaign featuring K-pop superstar Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal has triggered a massive influx of visitors to the Red Lotus Lake in northeast Thailand, with boat tour bookings quadrupling within just three days.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently released promotional images of the Blackpink singer at the scenic lake in Kumphawapi district, Udon Thani. Since the launch, boat trips have surged to 400 per day, up from the usual average of 100.
At Ban Diem pier, crowds of domestic and international travelers have been queuing since 4:00 a.m. local time. Large groups of Japanese tourists, arriving via coaches and vans, were among the first to reach the site to witness the sunrise over the blooming lotuses.
Praisit Sukrom, chairman of the Red Lotus Lake Tourism Enterprise, described the surge as a “landmark phenomenon” that has outperformed even the New Year peak period.
“The ‘Lisa Fever’ has provided a significant boost to the local economy,” Praisit said. “Most visitors are specifically following in her footsteps. We have increased our boat operations fourfold to meet the demand.”
The lake currently features thousands of acres of blooming lotuses, a spectacle expected to last until mid-March 2026. A fleet of 95 boats is currently in service to accommodate the daily crowds.
In addition to boat tours, local vendors have introduced “Bloommory Ice Cream”—a 3D artistic ice cream shaped like a red lotus—and digital E-Postcards, allowing tourists to instantly share their photos of the “Red Lotus Sea” via mobile devices. (TNA)
