LISA's SaWaDiKa sets 2026 YouTube record and spotlights Thailand
The music video surpassed 70.8 million views in its first 24 hours, while its Bangkok locations, Thai cultural elements and tuk-tuks reached a global audience.
- LISA's music video "SaWaDiKa" set a 2026 YouTube record, achieving over 70.8 million views in its first 24 hours.
- The video heavily spotlights Thailand by featuring cultural elements like tuk-tuks, Muay Thai, and Thai fabrics, with filming taking place at six distinct Bangkok locations.
- The song's title is derived from the Thai greeting "sawasdee ka," and LISA's role as an "Amazing Thailand Ambassador" is highlighted.
- Following the video's release, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and fan groups launched promotional campaigns featuring themed tuk-tuk tours of Bangkok.
The music video for “SaWaDiKa”, released the previous day by Lalisa Manobal, known professionally as LISA and a member of BLACKPINK, had surpassed 70.8 million views on YouTube by Saturday (September 5, 2026), setting a new record for the platform's highest first-24-hour view count worldwide in 2026.
The result placed the song second among LISA's solo releases for first-day views, behind “LALISA” at 73.6 million, underscoring the Thai artist's global popularity.
True to its title and the hashtags #SaWaDiKa and #สวัสดีค่ะ, the video is packed with Thai identity, featuring tuk-tuks, Thai trains, contemporary Thai outfits, a Thai orchid costume, Thai-patterned fabrics, Chula kites and Muay Thai.
Rong Mueang Road and Bangkok signs are also displayed clearly for audiences around the world, with LISA living up to her role as Amazing Thailand Ambassador for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
LISA released the single and its music video through LLOUD Co. and RCA Records.
“SaWaDiKa” opens a noteworthy new chapter for her and is the first single from her new extended play, “PRESS PLAY”, which is due on Friday (October 23, 2026).
Produced by Thom Bridges and Ojivolta, the song takes its name from the Thai greeting “sawasdee ka” and expresses LISA's identity and Thai heritage through her distinctive rapping and signature hip-hop sound.
It also features the strong, powerful choreography expected of LISA and a clearly recognisable move in the hook.
The single was released ahead of LISA's “VIVA LA LISA” residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Tickets for all four shows sold out in less than 10 minutes, making her the first K-pop artist to stage a Las Vegas residency.
The performances are scheduled for November 13, 14, 27, and 28.
Another forthcoming project is “Always Lalisa”, a documentary directed by Sue Kim.
It is due to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival the following weekend before opening in cinemas worldwide on October 12.
Six Bangkok filming locations
Directed by Bang Jae Yeob, the video was filmed from a global street-pop perspective at six Bangkok sites while prominently presenting Thai soft power.
The Foreign Film and Video Affairs Division, known as the Thailand Film Office (TFO), at the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports released the location list and invited fans worldwide to experience the capital through the video's creative presentation:
- Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong)
- Thammasat women's dormitory in Sathon district
- Dib Bangkok, an international contemporary art museum in Khlong Toei district
- The 11th Infantry Regiment underpass in Bang Khen district
- Chaloem Khet 1 Road in Pom Prap Sattru Phai district
- Bang Khun Thian Canal in Chom Thong district
Filming took place in late July 2026, with more than 100 Thai crew members helping to create the world-class production.
Their involvement reflected Thailand's potential as a filming location and the strength of its production workforce.
Although LISA is Thai, the video is classified as a foreign production because its copyright is held by a foreign company.
The production therefore had to obtain filming permission from the Department of Tourism before work began.
SaWaDiKa tuk-tuks tour Bangkok
A separate promotional campaign added a splash of colour to Bangkok's streets as a convoy of tuk-tuks decorated with LISA's image and the title “SaWaDiKa” travelled to major sites around the city, attracting attention from fans and members of the public.
Sony Music Thailand shared images of the convoy on social media on Saturday (September 5, 2026), with the message: “Hello, sawasdee ka.
The SaWaDiKa tuk-tuk convoy is here, serving all of Bangkok!” By using one of the capital's familiar tourism symbols, the campaign promoted the song while linking LISA's work with the image of Thailand.
The Lilies Home fan group had earlier released details of its “TUK TUK PROJECT” to celebrate the song's launch, with a planned route through sites including Hua Lamphong railway station, Yaowarat Road and Pak Khlong Talat.
TAT promotes four-stop tuk-tuk route
Building on interest in the video, TAT invited people to take a tuk-tuk and say “SaWaDiKa” to Bangkok along a route covering four landmarks and four distinct atmospheres from the afternoon into the evening:
- The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or Wat Phra Kaew, and the Grand Palace: The afternoon route begins with a tuk-tuk ride through Phra Nakhon, passing the Grand Palace walls and offering views of the temple's chedi spires and ornate structures glowing in the light.
- The Giant Swing and Wat Suthat Thepwararam: The tuk-tuk ride continues in the breeze to a classic Bangkok scene where the red Giant Swing stands beside Thai architecture. The evening light makes the setting especially photogenic.
- The Royal Jubilee Gate at Odeon Circle, commemorating the sixth-cycle birthday anniversary: This important landmark is regarded as a gateway to Yaowarat.
- Yaowarat Road, or Chinatown: The journey ends amid neon signs, the colours of the city, restaurants lining both sides of the road and a lively evening atmosphere.
