Tayme Thapthimthong Needs You to Feel How Much Gaitok Loves Mook

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In the third season of Mike White’s popular series, The White Lotus, the satire on complex themes such as class and masculinity has become even sharper. This Thailand-based season follows a sleazy playboy, treacherous friends, and aging white men with questionable intentions treating their partners poorly. If not for Gaitok, the resort’s kind-hearted, love-struck security guard portrayed by Thai actor Tayme Thapthimthong, the show might be too overwhelming to watch. His awkward attempts at flirting with Lisa, who plays his coworker Mook, bring a refreshing lightness to each episode. This week’s episode sees Gaitok taking on an action role, potentially getting caught up in the central mystery of the season. According to Thapthimthong, “He doesn’t see himself as the hero; his primary concern is figuring out how to win Mook’s affection.

Transitioning from action roles to a romantic character presented some initial difficulties as I usually strive to portray a cool demeanor. Mike had to remind me that Gaitok isn’t supposed to be overly cool; he should exhibit some masculinity, but not be a highly trained military figure. Instead, he is meant to have a nerdy side. Although Gaitok enjoys Muay Thai, his character is supposed to be less physically imposing. The producers were comfortable with my physique during filming, but they requested that I maintain it and avoid bulking up excessively. This mental preparation for the role was beneficial as not working out for extended periods makes me feel weaker and more exposed.

I discovered many similar characteristics with Gaitok. I’m more about defense than offense; my goal is to safeguard people. My journey into security began at the age of 18, not driven by a desire to confront others, but rather an innate need to protect. Growing up as the only Asian family in our neighborhood, I was often bullied, which left me feeling fearful. To combat that fear, I turned to martial arts and sports during my youth. While attending university, I worked as a bouncer at nightclubs, and later applied for military service. My experiences led me to understand that projecting an image of toughness isn’t necessary; being genuine is more important. To be honest, I’ve always been a bit reserved around women, which has always been my nature.

Prior to collaborating with Lisa, how well acquainted were you with her? Had you ever been a fan of Blackpink?

Although K-pop wasn’t my preference – I’m more into hip-hop, Afrobeats, and R&B – my daughter, who was 3.5 years old at the time, used to dance to Blackpink videos when I visited her at her mom’s place. So, I got acquainted with their tunes, but wouldn’t say I had a deep understanding of Lisa before meeting her. However, when I met her, I was still starstruck by her charisma; she definitely has an aura about her.

Were you required to read a chemistry scene with Lisa for the show?
No, they didn’t inform me that she would be cast as my love interest until approximately a month before our departure to Samui for the first time. This was three months after I received confirmation and I continuously inquired from the casting directors about who would play Mook. They always responded by saying, “We can’t reveal it yet, but trust me, it’s someone significant.” Initially, I assumed they meant a well-known local actor. It never crossed my mind that it would be someone as famous as Lisa. I had to sign additional non-disclosure agreements before they disclosed this information. Since I was worried about my daughter accidentally revealing the secret at school and getting me into trouble, I only told my father about it.

When you shared with your daughter that you were collaborating with Lisa, how did this news affect her? Well, I’m originally from here, so I could occasionally return home from filming. She would always inquire about Lisa, which was adorable. I told Lisa, “My daughter enjoys dancing along to your YouTube videos,” and she offered to have a FaceTime chat with her. It turned out that it was my daughter’s birthday, and I returned home to surprise her. After I said, “I have a surprise for you!”, and called Lisa, my daughter, at first, seemed puzzled. Upon seeing Lisa on the screen, she hesitated, slowly moved towards her mother, hid behind her, and cautiously peeked out at the screen. It was such a heartwarming moment.

As a film enthusiast, I found creating the lived-in dynamic between Gaitok and Mook to be quite an engaging challenge. To establish their long-standing friendship, we focused on shared interests – we both loved hip-hop music and dancing. At first, she seemed too busy for me, which made approaching her a bit daunting, like I might be intruding on a superstar’s life. However, surprisingly, she reached out to me instead! She invited me to breakfast the next day, and I was amazed by her punctuality – we had nearly every meal together during our stay. We spent hours lounging at the beach, splashing in the pool, and it felt surreal that I was spending so much time with a global star like Lisa from Blackpink. Yet, she was remarkably humble and down-to-earth, making it easy to forget her celebrity status at times.

In simpler terms, Gaitok doesn’t view himself as a hero. Instead, his primary concern revolves around gaining Mook’s affection, fearing that if he doesn’t express his feelings to her, she might end up with one of the bodyguards, which he regrets deeply. This is why he felt compelled to speak up in this particular episode. Although he feels a bit disappointed, it adds an element of tension for me in later episodes.

In my travels throughout Thailand, I’ve noticed that the hotel security personnel I’ve encountered are generally more courteous compared to those at nightclubs. This is likely due to the reduced need for physical altercations in upscale hotels. I’ve always felt that Thai people, particularly when interacting with foreigners, exhibit an added level of politeness, often accompanied by a subtle bow or gesture of respect. While our interactions among ourselves are typically casual, encounters with foreigners, especially if they’re unfamiliar or in a position of authority, tend to be more formal, with a noticeable “Yes, sir” or “Yes, ma’am.

How did filming the intense action sequence in this episode go for Gaitok, where he was pistol-whipped while trying to stop a robber? Well, I can tell you that I barely slept the night before because I was so thrilled about it! It was an early 4:30 a.m. start, and I must admit I was feeling a bit groggy, but my excitement kept me going. I felt like I had to nail this scene since I’d love to do more action movies in the future. They offered a stand-in for when I would fall down, but I insisted on doing it myself. We were repeatedly falling onto the hot concrete, over and over again for various camera angles. And to make things more challenging, I had to keep jerking my neck back and collapsing. But you see, once I get into action mode, I’m unstoppable, and I’m always ready to push through and give my best!

I almost missed out on the White Lotus cast call as I wasn’t familiar with it. At that time, I was working as a bodyguard for a popular Thai rapper, Way, from the group Thaitanium. With my client demanding much of my attention, I thought, “This is an excellent job opportunity. I’m a former soldier, and a successful Thai rapper wants me full-time? He’s offering good pay too? I was already content with my current situation.” But my American-born Thai client from Brooklyn, who knew more about these American shows than I did, urged me to go, saying, “Hurry up!”

Previously, my last acting gig took place during my late twenties, and by the time I landed this part, I was in my early thirties. As I walked into the audition, I hadn’t seen the first two seasons yet. I was unaware of the show’s popularity in the U.S., its massive fanbase, and the impact it had. Remarkably composed, I believe that’s why the audition went smoothly. This was my debut in a Thai production, as all my previous work was primarily in English. Receiving a callback was thrilling, and meeting Mike was even more exciting. A week and a half later, they offered me the role. By then, I had watched seasons one and two and I found myself completely captivated.

Did Mike inquire about your thoughts on how the series portrays personal bodyguards wearing military-like attire?
Yes, he did. Prior to filming my first scene, they filmed scenes involving Sritala Hollinger, who owns the hotel, and her bodyguards. Initially, they were dressed in tight black T-shirts, combat trousers, and boots with their guns openly carried, giving a military vibe. Mike then asked me if this was how bodyguards would actually dress while on duty. I explained that they usually wear civilian clothing to avoid drawing attention. Combat trousers tucked into boots are typically worn by airborne units. During my close protection work, I would dress like a tourist, wearing a Hawaiian shirt with jeans, and if necessary, an oversized shirt to conceal my weapon. I believe this is why he eventually provided them with jackets and a more casual appearance. Although it still appears somewhat military to me, I assume he didn’t want them resembling the guests too closely. He wanted a distinct difference.

In 2013, you placed second in the Thai singing competition series called “Academy Fantasia.” This new season of “The White Lotus” includes musical performances at the resort. Is there a possibility that Gaitok will perform? I don’t believe so, but I’m eager to demonstrate my current singing abilities since I don’t want people to revisit that competition. At the time, I was quite inexperienced. The show is a reality program, which means they wouldn’t provide songs you could sing exceptionally well because it doesn’t create any drama throughout the week. It’s a mix of “X Factor” and “Big Brother.” It was challenging for me as they gave me difficult songs. Even when they offered one in English, it would be something like One Direction’s song, but they wanted a single person to sing it. Singing low notes and then hitting the high notes in the chorus was tough. So, I recently decided to record some studio tracks showcasing my singing now, so that when “White Lotus” is released, people can find new performances on YouTube instead of the old ones. I recorded a live studio version of “Tennessee Whiskey,” by Chris Stapleton, and also “No Diggity,” by Blackstreet. I can’t wait for you to listen to it!

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2025-02-24 07:55