“White man in Thailand labeled a ‘loser from home’ by White Lotus – here’s what the series gets incorrect”

Expats residing in Thailand have pushed back against a character from the show White Lotus, who described the country as being full of ‘bald white guys’, labeling them as ‘Losers Back Home’.

The contentious statement made in the first episode of season three has sparked heated discussions online, with many stating that the stereotype is ‘outdated’ and ‘ill-informed’, while some even remarked that it ‘exploits’ men.

In the HBO series, Chloe (portrayed by Charlotte Le Bon) conveys to Chelsea, played by Aimee Lou Wood, saying: ‘You’ll see a large number of bald white guys in Thailand. The locals refer to them as LBHs – Losers Back Home.’

The term has gained traction since its use in the dramatic social satire – this time set in Koh Samui in Thailand – but it’s one that has been around for years. 

Andrew Russell, a lecturer in creative and cultural industries at the University of Portsmouth, defines it as: ‘The stereotype of the older, rich, bald white male – referred to here as LBHs (losers back home) – who retires to Thailand with a much younger wife.’

Elsewhere, it’s been interpreted as those who seek success in another country after ‘failing’ back at home.

And since the show aired, social media has erupted with people who have moved abroad to Thailand – with many keen to demonstrate all the things the show got wrong about the label.

Sam, an Australian YouTuber on the channel Gone Adrift, accused the show of ‘upsetting expats’. 

Expats have hit back against the ‘Losers Back Home’ stereotype recently popularised by the White Lotus. Pictured: Sam, who moved from Sydney to Thailand

In the White Lotus, Aimee Lou Wood’s character Chelsea (pictured) is informed about Losers Back Home – defined as ‘bald white guys in Thailand’

The video blogger, who himself moved from Sydney to Thailand, wrote in the description of his video titled ‘I’m a LOSER BACK HOME’ that Gone Adrift was feeling ‘personally affronted’. 

He even went as far to admit that he personally related to the label – but that it does ‘absolutely not’ apply to everyone who moves abroad. 

Sam said in his video: ‘I was absolutely a loser back home! Contrary to what the masses are saying on the internet, I somewhat agree in relation to me and my personal situation. 

‘I’m someone that did terribly, academically, in high school. I never made it to uni, I studied at technical college. 

‘And then I pursued a career in an industry that was emotionally rewarding. I’m proud of my legacy in Sydney city working with the homeless adults, children and teenagers. But diving into a career like that left me with no knowledge of finances.

‘By age 37, I had accumulated no real estate… I do see myself as a little bit of a loser back home.’

However, Sam was quick to point out that many of his friends in Thailand were actually ‘very accomplished’ back at home – with his pal Stefan a successful musician, while his friend Manny can speak multiple languages. 

And appearing to address the rumour that many white men move abroad for romance, he said Stefan is ‘happily single’. 

He was presented with footage from the show and reacted accordingly, saying ‘white guys are amazing’

‘I’m happy to accept that term but I’m not happy to accept that anyone who decides to leave their country in the West and move to Thailand or any other country around the world is automatically a loser. Absolutely not!’ he concluded. 

Sam, who says he has a ‘personal’ connection to the show due to visiting Koh Samui and even seeing actress Michelle Monaghan, said the cynical comment was mainly aimed at the wealthy elite and their ignorance towards the culture they’re visiting.  

‘Expats like ourselves, we don’t really need to take it to heart,’ he said. 

Another man living in Silom, Thailand, took aim at the stereotype, saying white bald guys are ‘amazing’, and the term is just used to ‘prey on’ men. 

An interview conducted by @yourthaibestie on Instagram featured Nathan, originally from England. 

Speaking of the LBH stereotype and presented with footage from the HBO show, Nathan said: ‘It’s pretty much what everyone thinks at the moment, isn’t it! 

‘I think guys are going through sacrifices to make everyone else look good at the moment. It’s men against women now and men are the worst thing. 

‘Guys are being preyed upon at the moment – they can’t do anything right, which is sad. 

On Reddit, r/Thailand – which features experiences from expats – people have taken issue with the term

‘I’m a short guy, bald head, tattoos. In England, you’re just classed as someone who’s got out of prison! White bald short guys are amazing!’ 

Like Sam, Travis Leon Price, who moved to Bangkok from Ireland, said the term is a ‘generalisation’. 

Travis shares videos on life in Southeast Asia to his 300,000 followers, and took to his TikTok account to address the phrase before the White Lotus aired. 

He said: ‘Let’s talk about the loser back home insult. It’s a term used to describe people who couldn’t make it in their own country, and they move to a country where it’s supposedly easier to exist. It’s been used as a blanket term for white males who move to southeast Asia.

‘My issue with the insult is just that, it’s a generalisation. A lot of people move here for opportunities, culture, or just to enjoy another way of life. 

‘Most of the time I’ve seen this insult, it comes from people who choose a more typical, conventional path of life. They live closer to home, they seem just generally unhappy in their life so they hate on people online. I like to call them losers stuck at home. 

‘I will say this, there is a lot of bad character here and I can see where the insult has come from and I can’t stick up for those guys. They’re loud, they don’t respect the culture, and they prey on girls.’ 

Tom Birchy, from the UK, who is now touring the world, went one step further and said the term is ‘outdated’ and ‘misinformed’ for all involved. 

He pointed out that there are many reasons why men, typically in their 50s and 60s, may choose to move abroad – including the cheap cost of living providing ample retirement opportunities. 

He said: ‘Thailand offers an incredible standard of living, especially for retirement. 

Others have even said they’re ‘proud’ to be given the label after moving to Thailand

Chloe (played by Charlotte Le Bon) in the White Lotus tells Chelsea about LBHs

‘You can live in luxury for relatively cheaply. After you’ve worked hard all your life, you might as well move to paradise and spend money actually enjoying yourself!

‘With the people who say, “oh they’re only moving to Thailand for one thing!” I doubt these people have ever actually spent a day in Thailand. People’s misconceptions of this country are gross and outdated. 

‘For people who say those nasty things about people who move to Thailand, you’re misinformed, you’re outdated, and you should come and see this wonderful place instead of making closed-minded, misinformed judgements on the internet.’

Others, however, have insisted they’re ‘proud’ of the label, and don’t mind being called it as they feel it’s an accurate reflection of their situation. 

Writing on social media, one person said they are a ‘Proud “LBH” here enjoying life with my Thai wife in Thailand.’

Another added: ‘I never saw the White Lotus but I get the whole LBH mentality. I happily fit the bill.’

Others said: ‘Fail to see why it would be an insult. If you’re a loser back home but made a good life elsewhere then that’s good on you!’;

‘I’m one of those “old white men” and I love my life here.’ 

On Reddit too, expats have taken issue with the label – saying they’ve only met ‘remarkable’ individuals abroad rather than those fitting with the ‘loser’ stereotype.  

The incendiary remark in the first episode of season three has led to furious discourse online

Travis Leon, who is travelling the world, spoke up about the term and said it is a ‘generalisation’

Nathan, from the UK, said he felt like the term was ‘preying on’ men in an interview on Instagram

In the Reddit post r/Thailand, one person said: ‘To be honest most foreigners I have met in Thailand have turned out to be some remarkable individuals. Most are financially stable fun loving, out going people.

‘Those from europe and america that visit Thailand have done something most people in their home country will never do. And those that decide to live in Thailand are in a league of their own.’

Another added: ‘Most ppl i have met here are here because they want to have a better life in thailand compared to the west. they usually work online or are retired. does that make them losers at home? not sure what the term LBH is referring too but i havent met anyone who i would label with such a term.’

Others even expressed worries that the continued popularity of the phrase would ‘discourage people from visiting.’