Two Thai women were involved in a heated exchange on the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok on September 22 over a young boy's disruptive behavior. A video capturing the incident was shared by a witness on TikTok, sparking widespread online debate. The conflict arose as the boy, believed to be accompanied by his grandmother, repeatedly disturbed a fellow passenger.

 

The incident unfolded when the guardian allegedly yelled at a woman sitting next to the child after she requested that the guardian address the boy's behavior. The grandmother responded with insults, using vulgar language and questioning the woman's actions. Observers reported that the grandmother also threatened to forcibly remove the woman from the train at Siam BTS Station.

 

Viewer reactions mostly supported the woman affected by the boy's actions, although some pointed out her decision to cross her legs in the crowded compartment. Comments varied from criticising the grandmother's response to the expectations of child behavior in public spaces. The situation did not escalate further, and no physical altercation occurred.

 

Past occurrences of similar incidents highlight ongoing challenges in managing children's conduct on public transport. In October 2023, another case involving children's misbehavior on a train caught public attention, leading to criticisms of inattentive parenting. Such instances underscore the importance of addressing etiquette in public settings.

 

Looking Ahead, discussions about appropriate public behavior and responsibilities of guardians are likely to continue. Authorities may need to enhance awareness campaigns focused on mutual respect and decorum in public transport environments.

 

 

Key Takeaways

• A confrontation on the BTS train over a boy's behavior led to a viral debate.
• Opinions varied, but many criticized the guardian's handling of the situation.
• Similar past incidents indicate ongoing challenges with public transport etiquette.

 

Related Stories:

Discounted BTS Packages Return to Ease Commuter Woes

Thai Flag Drapes BTS Trains in Tribute to Fallen Soldiers

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-09-24

 

 

What was that brat yapping about?

And, regardless of what the actual words were, his behavior should have been nipped in the bud as soon as he learned to yap. I thought Thais were all about respecting elders.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In October 2023, another case involving children's misbehavior on a train caught public attention, leading to criticisms of inattentive parenting. Such instances underscore the importance of addressing etiquette in public settings.

This ain't Japan... manners are optional

When a father teaches his children respect for others from age 1, they understand what it means. When there is no father, it's up to the mother, and if she's absent, like this one and so many others, the child isn't learning much, besides those who carry sticks to stop the children from misbehaving. Some don't want to hit their children in public and let them run amok, instead of teaching them from that early age before this type of situation happens.

Many Thais leave their spoilt brat sons with granny. This only makes the kids behavior worse because the grannies idolise their grandsons and believe the kids can't do anything wrong. By the time they're teenagers and full of testosterone they are totally out of control. Prison time is awaiting them as their ego's get the better of them and they think they are untouchable. My youngest step daughter married a Thai Chinese guy and unlike Thai guys he rules the roost and if his son gets out of order he lets him know about it. Even my wife has mentioned how well her grandson is behaved as he's now 25 years old and never been in trouble. Whereas 2 of her sisters have 5 sons between them. All of the sons have spent time in the big house and their fathers are Thais from Isarn.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the boy, believed to be accompanied by his grandmother

The grandmother responded with insults, using vulgar language  

Just another poor parenting article 

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

although some pointed out her decision to cross her legs in the crowded compartment.

I don't get this.

It wasn't that crowded.

15 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

What was that brat yapping about?

And, regardless of what the actual words were, his behavior should have been nipped in the bud as soon as he learned to yap. I thought Thais were all about respecting elders.

Not when it’s children.  They let them scream in restaurants and let them run everywhere disrespectful to other people. I think they believe that everyone should be responsible for taking care of their children. You are expected to put up with this kind of behavior.  The Thai people never say anything but when a Tourist or Expat says anything they are quick to tell you to mind your own business.

This goes back to the extreme levels of bad parenting and the lost art of parenting. Most parents want to be friends with their kid and they're afraid to discipline them these days. This is a worldwide trend and is by no means limited to Thailand.

 

The whole thing is pretty ridiculous, and I witness this kind of thing all the time with kids that are completely out of control, behaving like ribid chimpanzees, with no discipline whatsoever, and parents afraid to reign them in, or just oblivious.

 

The woman was right to complain and this kind of thing in public is beyond obnoxious. The mother was likely being that defensive because she knew how reckless she was with her child's behavior, and she knew how awful her son was. Don't take responsibility, don't act like a mature adult, just deflect, deny, obfuscate and get hostile. Yikes. 

 

As far as I'm concerned one of the most promising and encouraging trends happening in the world today, is the lack of population growth, and the fact that so many people from so many nations are just simply deciding not to have kids. They're not necessary and they're crazy overrated. I am thankful on a daily basis that I don't have to deal with kids. Never had them and never really wanted them. 

 

 

4 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This goes back to the extreme levels of bad parenting and the lost art of parenting. Most parents want to be friends with their kid and they're afraid to discipline them these days. This is a worldwide trend and is by no means limited to Thailand.

 

The whole thing is pretty ridiculous, and I witness this kind of thing all the time with kids that are completely out of control, behaving like ribid chimpanzees, with no discipline whatsoever, and parents afraid to reign them in, or just oblivious.

 

The woman was right to complain and this kind of thing in public is beyond obnoxious. The mother was likely being that defensive because she knew how reckless she was with her child's behavior, and she knew how awful her son was. Don't take responsibility, don't act like a mature adult, just deflect, deny, obfuscate and get hostile. Yikes. 

 

As far as I'm concerned one of the most promising and encouraging trends happening in the world today, is the lack of population growth, and the fact that so many people from so many nations are just simply deciding not to have kids. They're not necessary and they're crazy overrated. I am thankful on a daily basis that I don't have to deal with kids. Never had them and never really wanted them. 

 

 

Of course children are necessary as they're our future on this planet. Not raining them right is why there are problems on the planet. The world's population is still increasing. Just not as fast at a rate, which is good as the population increasing too much will end the planet's resources. A zero population growth is how the planet will be secured for the future.

 

Your attitude towards children shows it's a good thing you never had any.

 

By the way, this was a grandmother and not the boy's mother, which in Thailand leads the world in children raised by grandparents, which is also why there are so many problems here that will only get worse over time.

Ah, the holy face saving again. 

Came across such brats more than once; I address the little terrorist directly in my mother tongue - which they cannot understand - give it the necessary facial expression of displeasure and it always does the trick. 

Once or twice the grannie got involved and I put her straight by telling her in Thai, that I am talking to the child and not to her! Do that loud enough for some around you to hear and understand without losing your temper and Bob's your uncle! 

PS: same applies to queues at a check-out lane in a supermarket - works wonders! 

16 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

What was that brat yapping about?

And, regardless of what the actual words were, his behavior should have been nipped in the bud as soon as he learned to yap. I thought Thais were all about respecting elders.

 

You tell 'em Barney. They've got to nip it in the bud!!!

 

 

Troll post removed.

 

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My stepson was about 8 years old when we got married, so I was fairly 'hands off' when it came to raising him.  When I did suggest setting some guidelines for his behavior and letting him be free within those guidelines, my wife responded that that was 'not the Thai way'.  Instead, children are supposed to just figure out unspoken rules of behavior on their own!

 

One of my wife's sisters married a Thai-Chinese businessman and their kids are very well behaved, well educated and successful.  The other sister married an ordinary Thai guy and their two sons were absolutely wild.  We haven't had any contact with this second sister for several years (there was a small matter of a stolen inheritance), so I don't know how those boys turned out.  My stepson grew up to be well behaved and hard working.

17 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

What was that brat yapping about?

And, regardless of what the actual words were, his behavior should have been nipped in the bud as soon as he learned to yap. I thought Thais were all about respecting elders.

 

They're not. Elderly people in Thailand are discriminated against more than anywhere else in the world that I've seen. Most employers won't hire an elderly person and those approaching 50 or 55 are let go, even if they've got stellar experience, because they're seen as "too old". 

 

Now they're about to ban the elderly from using mobile banking.

 

Those above 60 can't get home loans or any loans, I think. 

 

On a more traditional, family level, yes, Thais look after their elderly but on a wider, societal level, I don't think there's the same level of respect, or empathy and inclusiveness that we see in more developed countries (and I am fully in agreement with those that might say "hey...they don't respect the elderly anymore in the west". Well, society has started to fall apart and the young are disrespecting the elderly, but when it comes to how the government and private sector treat the elderly, it's certainly better than in Thailand. 

 

In the west, government services, car rental services, accessibility in public buildings, public transportation for the aged and infirm, driver's license renewals etc. all of these accommodate the elderly, mostly without imposing an upper age limit or discrimination. If you're still employed but happen to be 67, you're generally not going to get kicked to the curb merely due to your age as you would in Thailand. Look at buses in Thailand...if you're older and can't walk up a flight of stairs, you can't use one. There are virtually no wheelchair accessible buses. 

 

Even more bizarre is this is all happening in a rapidly aging country...the median age is now something like 42...therefore, Thailand needs to get with the times and end it's absurdly discriminatory ageist policies as well as retrofitting it's infrastructure to accommodate those who are elderly and disabled. A LOT of Thais are fit into one of these two categories. 

 

Raise the retirement age for women to 62 and for men to 65, but allow anyone who is fit, healthy and good at their job to remain working (if they so wish) until whatever age they're capable. 

 

Unless you're advertising for modeling or acting related work, don't impose age limits when hiring. 

1 hour ago, Callmeishmael said:

My stepson was about 8 years old when we got married, so I was fairly 'hands off' when it came to raising him.  When I did suggest setting some guidelines for his behavior and letting him be free within those guidelines, my wife responded that that was 'not the Thai way'.  Instead, children are supposed to just figure out unspoken rules of behavior on their own!

 

One of my wife's sisters married a Thai-Chinese businessman and their kids are very well behaved, well educated and successful.  The other sister married an ordinary Thai guy and their two sons were absolutely wild.  We haven't had any contact with this second sister for several years (there was a small matter of a stolen inheritance), so I don't know how those boys turned out.  My stepson grew up to be well behaved and hard working.

 

Seems to sum up Thai families very well. The upper middle and upper classes raise their children very well...perhaps they're a little bit too sheltered (I often see them forcing their children to wear masks in crowded spaces) but they're certainly well mannered, polite and educated.

Your lower middle income or working class Thai are the complete opposite. Children allowed to roam the streets freely without adult supervision, ride scooters with their friends when they turn 10 (and without a helmet) and often raised by their grandparents. Their parents they only see twice a year because they work in another province or Bangkok. 

1 hour ago, Callmeishmael said:

My stepson was about 8 years old when we got married, so I was fairly 'hands off' when it came to raising him.  When I did suggest setting some guidelines for his behavior and letting him be free within those guidelines, my wife responded that that was 'not the Thai way'.  Instead, children are supposed to just figure out unspoken rules of behavior on their own!

 

One of my wife's sisters married a Thai-Chinese businessman and their kids are very well behaved, well educated and successful.  The other sister married an ordinary Thai guy and their two sons were absolutely wild.  We haven't had any contact with this second sister for several years (there was a small matter of a stolen inheritance), so I don't know how those boys turned out.  My stepson grew up to be well behaved and hard working.

Have stepson and stepdaughter.

Son went a little 'wobbly' 11years ago, but being smart worked out quickly doing good brought better rewards, he is doing well now and in a good position, very proud of him. 

Daughter, she really only knows me, is 19 now and at Uni in Bangkok a lovely levelheaded young woman who has never given mum a sleepless night, asks her mum if okay to do something, if mum says I will not be happy subject matter closed.  She is so aware of things.

 

A while back was rushed to hospital, son said when being taken into ICU "You come back, not leave mum alone"???

I had a stepfather who I hated vehemently with every breath, always said to myself  "In same situation would do different".  Must be doing something right, son includes me in invites me to functions when he gets freebie tickets.  Daughter told her mum she wants me at her graduation not her biological dad.  Both have worked out who has cared and helped then. 

Clue?  Not their dad.  Second Clue "Me", why!!  They give me respect/face which I suspect my wife made sure they did. 

 

Know I have been fortunate to avoid the problems so common to many others. 

 

 

 

Tylenol...defo.

2 hours ago, FlorC said:

I don't get this.

It wasn't that crowded.

 

Says "related video"? Not sure if that is from the incident or not?

I put the way parents and grandparents idolize children here is the lack of pensions.

Both parents and grandparents are hoping that child will take care for them financially one day and treat it with kid gloves and endless patience so as not to anger it.

In countries where the parents don't need to depend on their child later, they are less patient with naughty children.

3 hours ago, Mason45 said:

Many Thais leave their spoilt brat sons with granny. This only makes the kids behavior worse because the grannies idolise their grandsons and believe the kids can't do anything wrong. By the time they're teenagers and full of testosterone they are totally out of control. Prison time is awaiting them as their ego's get the better of them and they think they are untouchable. My youngest step daughter married a Thai Chinese guy and unlike Thai guys he rules the roost and if his son gets out of order he lets him know about it. Even my wife has mentioned how well her grandson is behaved as he's now 25 years old and never been in trouble. Whereas 2 of her sisters have 5 sons between them. All of the sons have spent time in the big house and their fathers are Thais from Isarn.

You're absolutely right...
Well said...

5 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

Says "related video"? Not sure if that is from the incident or not?

I saw the video , it was related to the incident with all the shouting.

On 9/24/2025 at 7:31 PM, snoop1130 said:

 

 

On 9/24/2025 at 7:31 PM, snoop1130 said:

Viewer reactions mostly supported the woman affected by the boy's actions, although some pointed out her decision to cross her legs in the crowded compartment.

As opposed to spreading them?

7 hours ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

Seems to sum up Thai families very well. The upper middle and upper classes raise their children very well...perhaps they're a little bit too sheltered (I often see them forcing their children to wear masks in crowded spaces) but they're certainly well mannered, polite and educated.

Your lower middle income or working class Thai are the complete opposite. Children allowed to roam the streets freely without adult supervision, ride scooters with their friends when they turn 10 (and without a helmet) and often raised by their grandparents. Their parents they only see twice a year because they work in another province or Bangkok. 

The richer families don't raise their children very well. In fact they don't even raise them. This is what nannies are for, and the nannies get zero respect in most cases.

Then the parents or grandparents are seen as the good guys in mediating behaviour.

When these rich kids get older they get expensive cars and drive drunk and fast and without any care for others, this also includes when parking badly or dealing with poorly paid car park attendents.

 

On the face of it, these richer families might appear to be doing a better job, but in many cases it's not true.

 

While I agree that the jungle folk may have no idea about urban life, and respect for others' peace or safety, many of them are very respectful to others, especially the elderly and 'wealthier classes.'

 

It's not fair to generalise due to class, as is the same for race or religion.

A troll post advocating violence has been removed.

On 9/25/2025 at 12:03 PM, Purdey said:

I put the way parents and grandparents idolize children here is the lack of pensions.

Both parents and grandparents are hoping that child will take care for them financially one day and treat it with kid gloves and endless patience so as not to anger it.

In countries where the parents don't need to depend on their child later, they are less patient with naughty children.

So the asian parents sacrifice is only based out of self interest? Not true love?