A Thai tourist in Italy almost certainly spends more money than a bunch of high schoolers vacationing in a country with a much lower cost of living. Yet somehow, you don't see Thai tourists walking around acting like their money makes them superior.
Being loud in public isn't the end of the world. I get it !! teenagers get excited. But when a local politely calls you out, the appropriate response is to listen, not fire back as if your wallet gives you the right to look down on the people whose country you're visiting.
Your money isn't bigger than basic manners. If a local tells you you're being disruptive, take the hint. You're a guest in their country not the owner of it.
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For too long, some people have felt comfortable mocking Thai people because of our accents or outdated stereotypes about Asians.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.
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.