Thailand: The Dark Side Of Paradise with Zara McDermott | Preview (BBC Three)

In this new documentary series made by South Shore Productions, Thailand: The Dark Side Of Paradise will explore the destination increasingly seen as a rite of passage for young Brits.

Starting in bustling Bangkok and travelling to the party islands, with unprecedented access and a lively cast of characters, Zara will take a journey throughout the country to discover why hundreds of thousands of young Brits flock to this exotic location every year.

From backpackers to those who are seeking longer term roots – the new documentary will unearth the secrets of this vast and varied country and look into what can happen when the dream of paradise goes wrong.

After being invited to a bar crawl on Khaosan Road, Zara gets under the skin of Bangkok’s notorious red light district, Soi Cowboy - but filming is swiftly shut down by local bar owners and the police.

When Zara meets Mike Yu, a young British expat living a life of luxury in the Thai capital, she realises there’s more to the city than meets the eye. Meanwhile, a visit to the Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre exposes how easy it is to get caught on the wrong side of the law in Thailand.

As she explores more of Thailand, Zara visits Pattaya, where she meets Mac, a British YouTuber lifting the lid on Asia’s sex capital. However, Annie, a local sex worker, reveals the harsh reality of working in the illegal sex industry.

After journeying to the island of Ko Phangan, Zara finds her paradise: beautiful beaches and tranquil temples, but Lucio, a Brit who built a burgeoning cannabis business here whilst the drug was decriminalised, reveals that navigating the local law isn’t always easy. Hugo shares his shocking near-death experience that exposes how the island plays by its own rules.

Zara experiences Ko Phangan’s world-famous Full Moon Party, but beneath the cheap cocktails, music and fire shows, there’s danger lurking - as the medical team treat a possible drink-spiking victim.

Finally, Zara journeys to Phuket, where she meets Dave, an expat who shows off the island’s high-end beach clubs. She also meets Shakira, a tourist in trouble with the Thai police, who reveals how easily dream holidays can go wrong.

Zara then discovers the tragic case of a British holidaymaker who recently lost their life on the island and whose family is still searching for answers. A final catch-up with backpacker Loukas exposes the true price of letting loose in Thailand.

Thailand: The Dark Side Of Paradise begins Monday 8th September on BBC Three.