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?
If It was an Asian person doing this in Europe, there’s a good chance we’d be told to “go back home” or face racist remarks and mockery. Yet some visitors arrive in Thailand acting as if local norms don’t apply to them as though they’re entitled to behave however they want.
That double standard is what’s frustrating. No one is superior because of where they come from. Respect goes both ways.
I understand that being loud on public transport may be more socially acceptable in some parts of Europe. Different societies have different norms, and I’m fully aware of that.
But in Bangkok the public transport etiquette is different. Keeping your voice down and not disturbing other passengers is considered basic courtesy. That’s the local norm, and visitors should respect it just as I respect local customs when I’m abroad.
What surprised me even more were the comments saying, “We’re bringing money to your country.” What kind of argument is that? Buying a €1 BTS ticket or spending money as a tourist doesn’t exempt anyone from respecting local etiquette. Being a customer doesn’t put you above the people who live there.
What concerns me is the double standard. When Asians in Europe point out something or don’t perfectly fit in, they’re often told to “go back home” or face racist remarks. Yet when some Western tourists ignore local norms in Asia, people are expected to accept it because they’re bringing money.
For too long, some people have felt comfortable mocking Thai people because of our accents or outdated stereotypes about Asians. That shouldn’t be acceptable anymore.
This is 2026. Being multilingual is something to be proud of not something to be ridiculed. Speaking English as a second or third language is not a sign of lower intelligence or worth.
Thai people and Asians in general should never be treated as inferior. We deserve the same respect that we give to others. The era of staying silent when we’re looked down upon should be over!
Respect isn’t a privilege. It’s the minimum standard for everyone.
ต่างชาติในโควท ในเมนชั่นบางตัว ตลกมากกกกก just having basic manners won't kill you 😭 if you've ever been to thailand, you'd know people usually keep their voices down. no one's saying you can't talk. just don't be noisy and respect the people around you. ประเทศคุณจะเสียงดังแค่ไหนก็ทำไปสิ ไม่ใช่มาทำในประเทศคนอื่น แล้วมาบอกให้คนไทยเรียนรู้ความแตกต่าง broooooo what's the point?
To all the decent Italians out there, I know these people do NOT represent all Italians.
This group of Italian tourists was being loud and disruptive on public transport. When they realized they were being filmed, instead of behaving better, they responded by:
- Saying, “Sorry for bringing money to your country” as if spending money gives them the right to disrespect the country they’re visiting
- Making a slant-eye gesture to mock Asians
- Giving the person filming them the middle finger
Tourism is not a free pass for racism, arrogance, or disrespect. If you travel to another country, respect its people. It’s really that simple.