UDON THANI, THAILAND – A promotional appearance by K‑pop star Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal turned the Thale Bua Daeng lotus lake into an international tourist magnet within weeks, forcing authorities to rush in extra safety measures.
Celebrity campaign triggers pre-dawn queues
Before sunrise, long lines formed for boat tickets at the Ban Diam pier in the Kumphawapi district as streams of Thai and foreign visitors arrived. Ticket counters opened at 5 a.m., yet many people waited even earlier to reach the lake in time to see the pink water lilies. The surge followed a campaign by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which published a promotional poster on Tuesday showing Lisa Manobal against the backdrop of the lake, prompting thousands of fans and travelers to recreate the scene with their own photos.
Tourism ministry orders tighter checks
Natreeya Taweewong, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, said visitor numbers rose abruptly because of the global popularity of the Amazing Thailand Ambassador, requiring immediate action.
“The sudden increase in visitor numbers made urgent measures necessary to ensure safety and service standards,”
said Natreeya Taweewong, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. She said authorities had been instructed to closely monitor boat operations, inspect safety equipment and vessel standards, improve traffic management around the lake, prevent long queues, and guarantee fair treatment and transparent pricing.
Tourist police and complaint channels mobilised
Agencies under the ministry were told to work closely together on site. The tourism authority was tasked with checking operators and preventing inflated prices, while the Tourist Police Bureau was assigned to step up security checks and increase emergency readiness. The Tourist Assistance Centre was made responsible for providing support and information and for receiving complaints from visitors.
‘Lisa effect’ seen as chance for secondary cities
Natreeya said the so‑called “Lisa effect” was a valuable opportunity to highlight nature, cultural heritage and local communities in lesser‑known secondary cities. She added that the ministry’s strategy was to use this momentum to promote positive communication combined with stable standards of service, safety and fairness.
50,000 visitors since December, boats running nonstop
According to TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, many tourists said they travelled to Thale Bua Daeng specifically because of the “Amazing Thailand x Lisa” campaign.
“Some said they had not known the attraction before, but then booked a flight to Udon Thani and rented a van or a boat to recreate the singer’s photos,”
said Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, citing comments reported by Thairath Online. Since the start of the blooming season in December, around 50,000 visitors had come to the lake, most of them from abroad, with a particularly noticeable increase on weekdays that were usually much quieter.
Over 100 boat trips daily and strong February demand
Boat operators were now making more than 100 trips per day, Thapanee said. Group bookings for February were strong, with many visitors explicitly requesting the same style of wooden boat featured on the Lisa poster. Despite the heavy demand, officials said the destination would remain under tightened oversight from tourism authorities.
Bloom stretches into March across two main zones
Thapanee said the pink water lilies were expected to remain in full bloom until mid‑February in a main area of 25,000 Rai.
“In the second area of 5,000 Rai near Koh Don Luang they bloom from mid‑February to mid‑March, so visitors can enjoy the scenery before the hot season begins,”
said Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. This meant Thale Bua Daeng was set to stay an attractive destination in the short term, even as stricter supervision aimed to balance mass appeal with safety and standards.