Foreigners Challenge Local Traditions on Koh Phangan

4 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

They really need to visit Cambodia in the middle of a wedding or funeral.

Then they will hear excruciating noise, and it goes on and on for days.

But, It's their country and their traditions.

Yes indeed , with the traditional Khmer music and associated chanting over a 3 day period.

Reference Google

1. Day 1: Preparations & Blessings — The wedding kicks off with the groom's family bringing the dowry to the bride's home, followed by formal introductions and a monk's blessing (Soat Mun) for spiritual protectio

2. Day 2: Ancestors & Cleansing — The groom leads a procession of gifts (Hai Goan Gomloh) to the bride's house. This day often includes a hair-cutting ritual (Gaat Sah), where family members playfully "cut" the couple's hair to symbolize a fresh start and the cleansing of their past.

3. Day 3: Unity & Blessings — The final day features the knot-tying ceremony (Sompeas Ptem), where family and guests tie red strings around the couple's wrists to wish them a happy marriage. It culminates in a large evening reception featuring traditional music, dancing, and elaborate feasts.

5 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

They really need to visit Cambodia in the middle of a wedding or funeral.

Then they will hear excruciating noise, and it goes on and on for days.

But, It's their country and their traditions.

I was part of a Khmer wedding--on Pol Pot's grave (no lie!). Lots of fun!

Identify these foreigners, kick them out, and blacklist them for life. They have no business coming to Thailand and telling local communities how they are allowed to act. It's Thailand, not Foreignerland.

UPDATE

Phangan Host Denies Foreigner Stopped Temple Event

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

A host of a Buddhist ordination celebration on Koh Phangan has denied claims that a foreign resident attempted to shut down the event, saying the matter was resolved peacefully after a simple conversation. The clarification follows widespread criticism on social media after reports suggested a foreigner had objected to a traditional community ceremony at a temple in Surat Thani province.

The controversy emerged after online posts claimed a foreign resident had tried to stop activities linked to an ordination ceremony at a temple on Koh Phangan. The story was widely shared and interpreted by some as an attempt to interfere with local traditions and cultural practices.

According to the event host, the incident occurred during celebrations for his nephew’s ordination ceremony. Music was being played as part of the festivities, which he described as a normal feature of weddings, ordinations and other community celebrations.

The host said a foreign man renting a nearby property approached the temple at around 10pm to ask about the noise. He explained that the event was a long-standing ordination tradition on Koh Phangan that had been practised for generations.

After receiving the explanation, the visitor understood the situation and returned home, the host said. He stressed that there was no argument, confrontation or serious dispute.

In a statement posted on his personal Facebook account, the host criticised claims that a foreigner had “closed down” the event or threatened local traditions. He said such descriptions were inaccurate and had caused unnecessary controversy.

The host added that the foreign resident’s concern related to his young child being unable to sleep because of the noise. He said the visitor initially thought a party was taking place but accepted the explanation once the cultural context of the ceremony was explained.

Another organiser also issued a statement, describing reports of the event being shut down as “fake news”. The organiser said the visitor had only asked for the volume to be reduced because his young child had been startled by the noise.

The organiser further clarified that the individual involved was a tourist and was neither Israeli nor Russian, countering speculation that had circulated online. He attributed the controversy to a misunderstanding that had been amplified through social media posts.

Khaosod reported that the incident has since sparked broader discussion online about local traditions and coexistence between residents and foreign visitors. However, organisers insist the matter was resolved amicably and that reports suggesting a conflict were inaccurate.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 8 June 2026

A lot of hate for foreigners on this thread from the self-righeous brigade... who, if actually foreign, would be shafted over for the sligthest reason by this system here, unless they are nationalist Thais hiding behind a pseudonym to do some quality trolling, which wouldn't suprise me.

2 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

The issue here isn't whether someone personally likes the noise. If there was a local Thai wedding, held with the appropriate local permission. In every country, people are expected to tolerate certain cultural, religious, and community events from time to time, even when they're inconvenient.

If we start arguing that local customs should be restricted simply because one individual dislikes them, that principle could be applied anywhere in the world.

People living in the UK, Europe, Thailand, or any other country generally accept that local traditions, celebrations, and community events are part of life. People with houses around Anfield may not like the inconvenience and noise of match days, but they chose to live there.

Respect works both ways.

Visitors and residents alike are entitled to express concerns, but they are not entitled to dictate that long-established local customs should stop because they personally find them inconvenient.

Why don't these sensitive forrigners just buy ear plugs?

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

These are not reasonable requests, if a Thai family has a marriage of course there's going to be a band, and there's going to be music and the locals have to just suck it up and deal with it for an evening. The Israelis do not own KP, they're simply being allowed to stay there, and they should behave as such. But, they sure are arrogant.

Where does it say in the article that Israeli's were complaining?? There are other foreign nationalities on KP as well, you know??

I'm certain he would have been welcome to join in, too. He might have learned something.

The point Is decibel levels.

There isn't any clear rule about it in Thailand.

And Thais love full blast sound.

It would be good to establish a decibel limit after 10 pm and enforce it.

14 minutes ago, Rinato said:

The point Is decibel levels.

There isn't any clear rule about it in Thailand.

And Thais love full blast sound.

It would be good to establish a decibel limit after 10 pm and enforce it.

Regretably, this will never happen.

Where I once lived in rural Lanna and Isaan for 20 years, whenever there was a village celebration of one kind or the other, the more the Lao Khao and beer flowed, the louder the music became which lasted well beyond midnight with many raucous party goers!!

15 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Speaking to reporters, Apinya Diawvanich, who operates a sound system rental business in Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province, said the problem had affected numerous community events. He claimed that foreign residents regularly lodged complaints about noise from ordinations, weddings and other outdoor gatherings despite organisers complying with legal requirements.

The operator of a sound system rental business is probably not the most objective person on the topic.

Thailand needs to employ a team of the most trusted officials in government they can find and go and thoroughly inspect every single property, business in that region.

Maybe even let an outside team go and check every single document.

Even just to visit when i went there last year you could see everything that was going on. An absolute abomination. This is Thailand and their culture.

I hate noise and especially booming bass that goes on and on. But I've gotten used to the FACT OF LIFE in Thailand that there are going to be lots of events with lots of noise. If I leave Thailand, the noise issue will be a major reason why. But in the meanwhile, I've learned there's no use complaining about it, especially as a foreigner. I suspect the way the "foreigners" in the story even got the police to pressure permit-holding noise makers to turn it down was by paying someone something.

14 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

These are not reasonable requests, if a Thai family has a marriage of course there's going to be a band, and there's going to be music and the locals have to just suck it up and deal with it for an evening. The Israelis do not own KP, they're simply being allowed to stay there, and they should behave as such. But, they sure are arrogant.

What does this have to do with Israelis. Why did you write that, other than to use this as an opportunity to express your ignorant hate? There is no evidence to support your claim that israelis are complaining about noise. Altogether they are less than 1000 of them on the island. There are far more Europeans. The noise complaints are legitimate and it is not about marriage bands, but the ongoing boozers that plague the island. There is nothing traditional about a massive sound system that blares hearing damage levels of sound. The noise disrupts the natural fauna and prevents people from living in peace.

You ignore the fact that the locals don't respect the agreement to keep the noise levels down and to stop at a specified hour. It is unreasonable to demand that someone should be able to play their "music" past 1 AM at 100 decibels+. Have you ever seen one of these events, with the drunks and the drunk drivvers? try being next to one where people are urinating on your house or car because the host has no toilet facilities.

The complaints are often made by the guests of hotels and rentals. Often they demand refunds, so the operators respond in turn complain about the activity. Have a look at some of the accommodation reviews. You will see enough mentioning the ripoffs and the noise levels.

40 minutes ago, JTPR1 said:

I hate noise and especially booming bass that goes on and on. But I've gotten used to the FACT OF LIFE in Thailand that there are going to be lots of events with lots of noise. If I leave Thailand, the noise issue will be a major reason why. But in the meanwhile, I've learned there's no use complaining about it, especially as a foreigner. I suspect the way the "foreigners" in the story even got the police to pressure permit-holding noise makers to turn it down was by paying someone something.

Some municipalities deal with it more responsibly. In Hua Hin, outside of the farang bar ghetto districts, they won't tolerate it.

14 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

And when was the last time you visited? Did you actually meet any Israelis there? Were they misbehaving in any way, or troubling anyone?

Or is this just what you read in the (biased) media?

Nasty is nasty. If you have recent experience, tell us.

One of my closest friends now lives on KP, so he experiences this on a daily basis, he said the island has become overtaken by young Israelis who all have attitude.

Funny story my friend is half Jewish but he's also half black so he doesn't look Jewish. A Jewish friend of his invited him to come and visit the local temple that they've set up on KP. He walked in and when he was in the lobby a man walked over to him and started asking him a lot of questions, who are you, where do you come from, and what are you doing here? My friend said well I'm Jewish and I just wanted to come and enjoy the Shabbat.

He was just about to start arguing with the guy when he turned around and saw six uniformed policeman sitting on benches in the lobby and he realized what was going on. His friend told him that the local Rabbi had hired an entire security team to protect the local Jews and the temple. Apparently they were also responsible for keeping people out who they did not feel "belonged". So much for assimilation into the community.

Off topic troll posts removed @simon43 @flaming dragon

21 hours ago, jippytum said:

The problem is not the music its the volume. Does every event require the speakers and the bass set at full volume for the duration of the event.

I'm sure they don't, I am certain many Thais suffer it in silence too.

Foreigners seem to be measuring every Thai event with a decibel meter these days, so here's my own recent experience.

I was invited to a Toyota event out in rural Isaan.

Fair enough, I've bought a new car every three years, give or take, for the last three decades. I assumed it would be a chance to look over the latest models, ask a few questions, maybe take a test drive.

What greeted me instead was enough sound equipment to guide aircraft into Bangkok, dancers in outfits that appeared to have lost a battle with the fabric budget, and a volume level that made Concorde seem environmentally conscious.

The event wasn't really about cars at all.

It was a giant community gathering where staff, relatives, friends, children, neighbours, and possibly several villages arrived to enjoy the free food and drinks. Kids were running around at warp speed, parents were socialising, and the cars appeared to be supporting actors in their promotion.

Very few actual buyers seemed interested in discussing vehicles.

Personally, if Toyota wanted to tempt me into buying another car, they could save themselves the dancers, the speakers, and the sonic assault.

My idea was simple: assign a young, knowledgeable member of staff to spend half a day with a potential customer, explaining all the technology, controls, safety systems, and features of the latest model.

Or even have a full, smart, knowledgeable sales and after service team present, so people could walk around and ask relevant questions, and forget the dancers, the stage, and even the buffet.

Apparently, this revolutionary concept was immediately launched into the nearest rubbish bin.

Still, at least I learned one thing.

If foreigners are now campaigning against loud Thai events, they might want to start with car dealerships. They're going to need a bigger decibel meter.

Music is never a problem, the only problem is the amount of Db... Too much decibels are produced and I now understand why people flee parties as soon as the dessert is served. Temples have also a big deal in it. They produce too much noise too even for 9 days on a row when there is a festival. and than there is the bass... this long wave can be heard miles away. Thais don't care and are not aware that noise is making people stressed. And the noise is everywhere. On the corner of my street there is a small eatery and one of kids has an hearing problem as when is there we can literally hear her her sayings because she is screaming. But nobody cares as there is noise everywhere. in cars, motorcycles, parties, karaoke singers at home, and in restaurants of singers who can't sing at all, TV' in shops, screaming hostesses in shoppingmalls where nobody is paying attention too, driving cars to promote activities, and the list can go on. Nobody is aware about eardamage, no education, and no enforcing of the law, which exists.

Even the news presenters on TV are screaming

Rural Thailand is changing. It has been a long time since the last monk ceremony, wedding, or funeral went on for days with insane music. It still happens, but it seems less now than before.

The problem, as mentioned above, is not one speaker. It is a whole bus full of speakers, blasting music day and night, doing real damage to people’s health. That is the problem.

And there seems to be nobody home to regulate such misbehaviour. This is not culture. This is bad culture.

"A host of a Buddhist ordination celebration on Koh Phangan has denied claims that a foreign resident attempted to shut down the event, saying the matter was resolved peacefully after a simple conversation. The clarification follows widespread criticism on social media after reports suggested a foreigner had objected to a traditional community ceremony at a temple in Surat Thani province."

Right, the truth finally came out: everyone can put down their pitchforks now please.

On 6/8/2026 at 10:41 AM, KhunLA said:

Not a fan of loudness myself, BUT, Thailand for Thais.

Anyone here for the shortest time, before settling down roots, should know, it's a noisy place. Also easy enough to avoid that noise.

Why before you settle anywhere, know where you are settling, to avoid, whatever it is about TH, you disagree with.

We drove around many areas before buying in. You need to be away from Wats, Schools, and loud speakers on the pole. Venues that serve alcohol or open later at night, if wanting to avoid noise.

One reason we live semi rural. First house it started getting noisy, though small part of moving. 2nd house, we bought 6 rai, and away from loud speakers and local school. Even though across from a Wat, rarely active, except if someone getting BBQ'd.

Present house, same, no real neighbors, Wat & school far away, no loud speakers, and we bought most of the available building lots on our soi, to avoid any new noisy neighbors.

If buying a condo, go up as high as you can afford. Some problems are easily solved before buying or renting. Before renting, drive by prospecting housing in mind, on the weekend after 9PM, for a sound check 😂

I do not understand.

What do you do?

Do you buy up all the houses on your soi, then what?

Do you just knock them all down and plant sugarcane or something?

If you leave empty houses vacant for years, then you invite derelict drunks, or worse.

Maybe you could turn them into greenhouses and grow weed?

Sounds like a wasted investment to me, with very low if any ROI....

7 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I do not understand.

What do you do?

Do you buy up all the houses on your soi, then what?

Do you just knock them all down and plant sugarcane or something?

If you leave empty houses vacant for years, then you invite derelict drunks, or worse.

Maybe you could turn them into greenhouses and grow weed?

Sounds like a wasted investment to me, with very low if any ROI....

They're just land lots, no houses. It's a dead end soi. We're at the end, almost. One lot is way overpriced, and will never sell.

We own 5 lots (red ... house, greenhouse lot, 3 empty), another family has 3 lots (yellow), farming., and 4 lots (blue) unavailable to buy. Closest neighbor is 100m away. Just the way we like it.

3 empty lots have appreciated about 30% since we bought them. When they put a proper concrete road in, hopefully not any time soon, then the wife can sell, as they'll appreciate more afterwards.

On topic, as always ... foreigners need to work around what bothers them, not interfere with the Thai way of life. Accommodate yourself, and don't expect those already here, to accommodate your needs.

Your a guest, act like act. If you don't want to assimilate, then isolate.

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

They're just land lots, no houses. It's a dead end soi. We're at the end, almost. One lot is way overpriced, and will never sell.

We own 5 lots (red ... house, greenhouse lot, 3 empty), another family has 3 lots (yellow), farming., and 4 lots (blue) unavailable to buy. Closest neighbor is 100m away. Just the way we like it.

3 empty lots have appreciated about 30% since we bought them. When they put a proper concrete road in, hopefully not any time soon, then the wife can sell, as they'll appreciate more afterwards.

On topic, as always ... foreigners need to work around what bothers them, not interfere with the Thai way of life. Accommodate yourself, and don't expect those already here, to accommodate your needs.

Your a guest, act like act. If you don't want to assimilate, then isolate.

Some of us are unable to buy land, for whatever reason.

Therefore, we must just .....SUCK IT UP...?

Of course!

Noise pollution is hardly "a way of life"