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Foreign Men Bid Thankful Farewell in Pattaya

Two foreign men gave an emotional farewell to staff at their favourite restaurant in Pattaya before returning to their home country, after regularly dining there during their stay in Thailand.

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The moment was shared by TikTok user @sanggg_pbp, who posted a video showing the pair visiting Steakpremier to say goodbye. The post was captioned, “Farewell before going home. @Daniels Knaps #thailand #thaifood.”

The video, which included the on-screen text “POV: when Thai food hits,” showed the two men approaching restaurant staff, performing a traditional wai before kneeling and bowing to the floor as a gesture of respect and gratitude.

Staff members quickly returned the gesture by kneeling and bowing in response, with some lying flat on the floor while accepting the farewell. The exchange drew widespread attention on social media for its display of mutual respect.

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Picture courtesy of TikTok: @sanggg_pbp

Many Thai and international users commented on the video, with one viewer asking what had prompted such an emotional goodbye. The person who shared the clip explained that the men had become regular customers during their time in Pattaya and wanted to thank the staff before flying home.

“They liked eating at this restaurant and came here very often. They were about to fly back to their home country, so they bowed to say goodbye,” the poster replied.

Another social media user commented: “They’re so adorable. I’m sure they’ll come back to visit many more times, and maybe even stay longer. No matter how many times I watch this, it warms my heart. Safe travels, and I wish them all the best.”

The video continued to attract positive reactions, with many viewers describing the farewell as heartwarming and praising the respectful exchange between the visitors and the restaurant staff. The clip highlighted the strong impression Thai hospitality and cuisine can leave on international visitors.

The Thaiger reported there has been no further update from the restaurant or the two men. However, the video continues to circulate online, with many users expressing hope that the pair will return to Thailand in the future.

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13 July 2026

User Feedback

Recommended Comments

vangrop Silver Member

vangrop

Advanced Member

These two clowns apparently know nothing about Thai customs and traditions. Perhaps they wanted to create a buzz on the internet, like TikTok or some other nonsense. For the restaurant, it's obviously a godsend to be able to benefit from such free publicity. Between themselves, they must be laughing at the spectacle produced by these two oddballs. I suppose they'd even be capable of waiing a stray dog. As we say back home, ridicule doesn't kill.

Rockyroad Ruby Member

Rockyroad

Advanced Member
1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

A wai on the knees in Thai culture is strictly reserved for royalty. certain monks, and occasionally a victor in conflict. This performance by these two guys will have embarrassed the Thais, and will have made them feel very uncomfortable.

Knee Wais are common after muay thai fights. They probably went to the muay thai and copied that.

Rockyroad Ruby Member

Rockyroad

Advanced Member
25 minutes ago, vangrop said:

These two clowns apparently know nothing about Thai customs and traditions. Perhaps they wanted to create a buzz on the internet, like TikTok or some other nonsense. For the restaurant, it's obviously a godsend to be able to benefit from such free publicity. Between themselves, they must be laughing at the spectacle produced by these two oddballs. I suppose they'd even be capable of waiing a stray dog. As we say back home, ridicule doesn't kill.

Well look at the drama on here. Their channel would get a boost.

Bday Prang Star Member

Bday Prang

Advanced Member
6 hours ago, BMW Overlander said:

You go down on your knees and wai to lower social and educational class Thais, and they will treat you like $hit.

The lads were on their way home , so any "lower social and educational class Thais" planning on doing that would have to be quick about it

Pompeygeezer Advanced Member

Pompeygeezer

Member

Harmless enough but still very cringey

Jim Blue Platinum Member

Jim Blue

Advanced Member

I think they would prefer a brown envelope !

Woke to Sounds Gold Member

Woke to Sounds

Advanced Member

This is absolutely adorable!

I'm quite very happy the Tik Tock Netizens gave their resounding approval.

Thailand is awesome and my day is already going better, just from reading this uplifting story.

jacko45k Star Member

jacko45k

Advanced Member
13 hours ago, vangrop said:

Perhaps they wanted to create a buzz on the internet,

Maybe they just wanted a free burger!

Liverpool Lou Star Member

Liverpool Lou

Advanced Member
10 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

I think they would prefer a brown envelope !

Why would the staff need to be bribed with a "brown envelope"?

Hummin Star Member

Hummin

Advanced Member
On 7/14/2026 at 11:20 AM, PJ71 said:

I agree, i cringe when i see any farang wai people.

You do not shake hands with everyone in the West? In many Muslim countries, people place their hand over their heart. In Thailand, you wai. Customs vary depending on who you are with and which country you are in. It is good manners to do what the locals do and not be a total embarrassment.

I do not wai everywhere I go, but when meeting people or being introduced to someone, I wai. It is also good to know how to perform a wai properly, so you show the necessary respect to the person you are meeting or being introduced to.

KhunHeineken Diamond Member

KhunHeineken

Advanced Member
On 7/14/2026 at 7:03 AM, JustinTyme said:

You are correct, this is 100% disrespectful. The Thai staff is confused, being polite, and tolerating this shameless click bait influencer BS. The Wai he is using is only for Royalty, Monks, and Images of Lord Buddha.

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You chart, "The Wai Hierarcchy" has missed a Wai. It's the drunken foreigner Wai. 😂

Photoguy21 Ruby Member

Photoguy21

Advanced Member
On 7/14/2026 at 10:45 AM, Emdog said:

My guess is they are from Scotland, or similar European country famous for inedible food. Hagis anyone?

Imagine their shock being introduced to food that has taste, and good taste. One time took Thai gf to dinner thing with Norwegian community. She asked "Why does this food have no taste?"..... "You can't get further from spice lands than this without getting closer".

Hagis is good. Have you tried it?

KhunLA Star Member

KhunLA

Advanced Member

Can't get any sillier than that. That's embarrassing, and they probably weren't even drunk 🤣

Hummin Star Member

Hummin

Advanced Member
On 7/13/2026 at 3:43 PM, Screaming said:

Idiots, obviously have no idea what they are doing. Respectable Thai people do not wai restaurant staff no matter how good the food was. These idiots most likely will get diarrhea on the plane ride home.

We wai to the staff at our regular restaurant when we arrive, including the chef and owner. There is nothing wrong with that. It is about time, place, and knowing the culture. There is nothing wrong with waiing in Thailand at all. It only becomes wrong if you do it to mock someone, just as calling someone “Sir” can be respectful or sarcastic depending on the situation.

PJ71 Platinum Member

PJ71

Advanced Member
6 hours ago, Hummin said:

You do not shake hands with everyone in the West? In many Muslim countries, people place their hand over their heart. In Thailand, you wai. Customs vary depending on who you are with and which country you are in. It is good manners to do what the locals do and not be a total embarrassment.

I do not wai everywhere I go, but when meeting people or being introduced to someone, I wai. It is also good to know how to perform a wai properly, so you show the necessary respect to the person you are meeting or being introduced to.

I was taught to always stand and shake hands which i did for many years.

Now i seldom meet people which is my preference, when i do i merely nod and smile which is reciprocated well.

I'm not religious but am familiar with how muslims greet each other and in general i find the majority of them amongst the most polite and generous people i have spent time with.

I do not wai.

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