conor @conero2357 - Twitter Profile

A viral video of a Thai passenger asking a group of young foreign tourists to lower their voices on the BTS has sparked a wider conversation about courtesy on public transport in Bangkok. In the clip, the group can be heard speaking loudly inside a train carriage. After one person tries to block her camera, the Thai woman asks them to keep their voices down. A young woman in the group says they are discussing where to go next, and the passenger replies that talking is fine, but should be done at a normal volume. She tells them that people in Thailand do not usually shout or scream on public transport. The exchange escalates when one tourist responds: “Then sorry for bringing money to your country,” drawing laughter from others in the group. The Thai woman calls the remark bad manners, while others tell her to “shut up” and demand to know what her problem is. The group later gets off at the next station. The footage has drawn strong reactions online, particularly over the suggestion that spending money as a visitor excuses disrespectful behaviour. There may be no expectation of complete silence on the BTS, but many Bangkok commuters do keep conversations low and avoid drawing attention in a crowded carriage, especially late at night. Was her response over the top, or are you glad she said what other passengers may have been thinking?