Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise
| Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Zachary Bailess |
| Presented by | Zara McDermott |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 3 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Naomi Templeton |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Three |
| Release | 8 September – 10 September 2025 |
Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise is a 2025 BBC Three documentary series about tourist destinations in Thailand, focusing particularly on Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya; directed by Zachary Bailess and hosted by Zara McDermott.[1][2] The series was released online on 8 September 2025. The series was heavily criticized for inaccurate portrayals of Thailand's safety.[3]
The documentary posits Thailand as an increasingly popular destination for young Brits.[4] The series begins in Bangkok, and includes visits to Khaosan Road and Soi Cowboy, and later to the country's islands. Members of the filming team were allegedly nearly arrested by Thai police for filming in Soi Cowboy, known as a red light district.[5] The series also interviews influencers, such as Mike Yu, a young British expatriate described as living a "life of luxury", and Mac, a British YouTuber in Pattaya from the channel Mac TV Travel Learn Inspire.[4][6] Mac creates YouTube content with his girlfriend named Beverly Hills.[6]
The series was heavily criticized for inaccurate portrayals of Thailand's safety.[3][7] On 13 September 2025, influencer Mike Yu issued an apology for appearing in the series on Instagram, stating he was unaware the documentary would focus on the negative aspects of Thailand.[8][9] Mac also characterized the series as BBC pushing a "woke narrative."[10]
References
- ^ "BBC Three - Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise". BBC. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ "Zara McDermott heads to Thailand in upcoming documentary series coming to BBC Three and iPlayer in 2025". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ a b "BBC's 'Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise' documentary sparks backlash from viewers". nationthailand. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ a b Zone, T. V. (6 September 2025). "Thailand: The Dark Side Of Paradise with Zara McDermott | Preview (BBC Three)". TV Zone UK. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ Moment Zara McDermott is nearly arrested while filming in Thailand. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025 – via www.independent.co.uk.
- ^ a b "Zara McDermott explores The Dark Side of Paradise in Thailand - "It really does have it all. But that can come with other costs."". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ "Zara McDermott branded ignorant after BBC's 'patronising' Thailand documentary". Metro. 13 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ Yu, Mike. "Dark Side of Thailand BBC's Documentary". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
- ^ "Breaking the dark side: Mike Yu shows what the BBC missed". www.timeout.com. Retrieved 26 December 2025.
- ^ Petpailin, Petch (12 September 2025). "British YouTuber and netizens blast BBC's Thailand dark side documentary". Thaiger. Retrieved 14 September 2025.