Tourist Sparks Outrage in Phuket Over Throwing Fake Dollar Bills - video

[snoop1130]

Pictures courtesy of The Phuket News

 

A foreign tourist has ignited fury in Phuket after a viral video revealed them tossing counterfeit dollar bills from a moving car, reigniting criticisms of Thailand's visa exemption policy. The incident, suspected to be a social media stunt, unfolded along Yaowarat Road in Samkong.

 

The footage, shared on the Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต, shows a grey sedan with a red licence plate scattering the fake bills across prominent spots like Samkong Intersection and Phra Phuket Kaew Road in Kathu. The act drew a mix of bewilderment and anger from locals.

 

One motorcyclist attempted to confront the tourist by tapping on the car window, only for the driver to dismissively roll it up and continue. The one-minute video sparked widespread online condemnation, labelling the act as "mockery" rather than tourism, with netizens frustrated by what they perceive as "low-quality tourists" exploiting Thailand's visa-free entry.

 

 

 

Many called for authorities to track down the vehicle and hold the tourist accountable for causing a public nuisance and disrespecting cultural norms. The act not only posed a safety risk but was also seen as demeaning to the local community.

 

While officials have yet to issue a statement or indicate any planned legal action, the event has intensified debate around Thailand's entry policies, especially in tourist hotspots like Phuket. Residents are pressing for a review to ensure visitors respect local laws and customs.

 

Despite some defending the incident as a harmless prank, the overwhelming local sentiment in Phuket is one of frustration, viewing such antics as eroding the community's cultural values and peace. The consequences for the tourist involved remain uncertain, but Phuket's tolerance for such behaviours is clearly dwindling, reported The Thaiger.

 

 

-- 2025-04-04

 

 

[stevenl]

Fake money, should be easy to find and deport them.

[smedly]

lock them up

 

seriouse charges

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, stevenl said:

Fake money, should be easy to find and deport them.

Yep, find them and ship them out.

[mfd101]

Not obvious what his crime was.

 

Unless it was about leaving rubbish lying around, which many Thais do every day of the year ...

[2long]

Sadly, the world has become what it is.

People only really 'enjoying themselves' if they can post it online. Or people's behaviour too focussed on entertaining others, often for financial gain via likes, followers etc.

Back in my day we did lots of crazy sh*t that just became stories to laugh about later.

 

I hate it when these reports have to have a dig about 'Thailand's current visa rules' because in my humble opinion, an idiot who will misbehave abroad is more likely one who is only in the country for a short time, not more than a month.

You only have to look at members' posts here to see the general attitudes and opinions of long timers.

Therefore, I feel that the longer you stay in a country the less likely you are to flout its laws and customs like a fool.

Just my opinion, though.

[Wuvu2]

Thais treat their currency with great respect because it carries an image of the King.

 

As soon as they put Donald Trump's face on American currency I know what I'll be using it to wipe my butt 😁

 

 

[newbee2022]

2 hours ago, smedly said:

lock them up

 

seriouse charges

Chop both hands

[Thingamabob]

Pathetic behaviour. One wonders what kind of mentality leads a human being to think this would be remotely funny.

[jcmj]

Well they have the license plate so go fetch them, fine them and deport them with a black list. That’s the only way these types of people will learn. 

[thesetat]

45 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Not obvious what his crime was.

 

Unless it was about leaving rubbish lying around, which many Thais do every day of the year ...

I would tend to agree. It is not counterfeiting unless they printed it with the intention  to use and made it realistic. 

So why are these comments saying lock them up and deport. The only crime I see is littering. Something each and every person in thailand does daily since the cities fail to have trash bins accessible to people on the streets. 

[Classic Ray]

How do they know if the offender is a tourist, since he hasn’t been traced yet? He could be a permanent resident, or a citizen. 
 

Very quick to blame here without establishing the facts.

[KhunBENQ]

Oh these "funny pranks" making a fool of other people.

My prank for him:  bring to court. 20 years high security prison...

Hahaha was just a prank.

500 Baht 🤣

[Packer]

The grunting super hero on the scooter deserves a smack and a kick in the guts. I would have brake checked him when he pulled behind. 

[mfd101]

20 minutes ago, thesetat said:

The only crime I see is littering. Something each and every person in thailand does daily since the cities fail to have trash bins accessible to people on the streets. 

In Bangkok you can watch people dropping rubbish on the footpath 2 metres from an empty rubbish bin.

[factual monk]

How dare they toss fake currency in air... we all dashed so hard... competiting with each other to grab as many notes we can... I'm outraged as my efforts were met by fake notes... I'm damn hell upset... 😆 🤣 😂 

[Krillin]

1 hour ago, Packer said:

The grunting super hero on the scooter deserves a smack and a kick in the guts. I would have brake checked him when he pulled behind. 

So it was you in the car?

[kuzmabruk]

2 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Not obvious what his crime was.

Sorry you really don’t know?  Counterfeit currency.  If someone had picked one up and used it unknowingly they would be charged with passing counterfeit currency.   Serious crime.  People think the world is a movie set.  It ain’t!  Idiots.