A foreign tourist has publicly criticized Thai tourism in a video, labeling the country “overrated” and pointing to high accommodation costs, poor food hygiene, crowded attractions, and unfriendly locals. The video, initially shared by the tourist, was reposted by local outlet TravelNews, highlighting her two-week experience in Thailand, which she felt was unlike positive reviews she had read before her visit.

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She compared Thailand unfavorably with other Asian destinations, noting that even the cheapest hostel was priced at 600 baht per night, which she found expensive for a backpacker. She was also critical of Thai food, citing instances where her friends suffered from food poisoning. She expressed dissatisfaction with the food, describing it as sweet, oily, and causing her to feel bloated.

The tourist also found major destinations crowded, especially popular islands where she felt disconnected from nature. She criticized public transport, saying that the service she received did not align with Thailand’s “land of smiles” reputation, with some workers being unhelpful or unfriendly. Additionally, she noticed trash in numerous places and questioned why locals would allow such pollution in natural areas.

Ending her video, she acknowledged Thailand's beauty but maintained her viewpoint that its tourism was overrated. While she encouraged others to visit and form their own opinions, she expressed confusion over why some tourists choose extended stays in the country.

In response, some Thai viewers echoed parts of her critique, comparing accommodation costs with those in Vietnam and China, where private rooms were more affordable. One Thai user related to her transport complaints, mentioning issues with inconvenient public transport and high prices in tourist spots. Conversely, others defended Thai tourism, suggesting the tourist’s budget constrained her experience and that travel preferences differ.

Looking forward, this critique highlights diverse traveler expectations and prompts a reflection on how different experiences can shape perceptions of a destination, reported The Thaiger.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 19 Mar 2026

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1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

She compared Thailand unfavorably with other Asian destinations, noting that even the cheapest hostel was priced at 600 baht per night, which she found expensive for a backpacker. She was also critical of Thai food, citing instances where her friends suffered from food poisoning. She expressed dissatisfaction with the food, describing it as sweet, oily, and causing her to feel bloated.

Disagree with her comments on accomodation, I can find plenty of rooms for 500bht.

Agree with her on Thai food, lots of sugar, MSG and oil.

Oh, yeah ,,,,,, and there is trash everywhere, but no more than anywhere else in Asia. But thinking she's never been to India.

22 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Disagree with her comments on accomodation, I can find plenty of rooms for 500bht.

Statying one hour per night isnt asdequate for a decent sleep

20 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

But thinking she's never been to India.

Yeah that will teach them something.

I dont listen to anything a backpacker says anyway. If Im gonna pay $15 for a room, I know what to expect regardless and know how to look for them, and it aint gonna be a hostel.

Psychologicly though when you grow up in the luxury of the West it dashes ones dreams to see the exotic Orient as a sh#thole in many ways.

Its all good, worth an eyebrow up. Like when my cword sister askes me "dont you worry about eating that sstreet food, you can get sick" while shes chowing a Boars Head liverwurst sarnie

It’s natural that no country can meet every visitor’s expectations. Even the time of year of their visit can have a big impact on their experience.

For every negative review, there are countless travellers who leave Thailand with overwhelmingly positive impressions.

Individual reviews, either good or bad, reflect personal circumstances, not the full picture of a destination.

7 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Psychologicly though when you grow up in the luxury of the West it dashes ones dreams to see the exotic Orient as a sh#thole in many ways.

As someone once told me. When you visit the East, you need to turn off your Western brain.

She sounds a bit like the Faulty Towers episode. What did she expect in Thailand?, view of the Sydney Harbour bridge, The tower of London, The pyramids.

Can't please everyone!

Do we really have to care what one phone obsessed Bimbo thinks?

Thailand? I've heard about that place. Nobody goes there anymore, its too crowded.

My biggest problem in Thailand is the irresponsible behavior of people, such as insane noisy loudspeaker, air pollution, and litter everywhere. Governments should address these problems, but I won't live to see it.

I think much of what she says is exaggerated, but isn't she right about a number of things? Things that we, who have been living here in Thailand for a long time, no longer register or possibly even suppress, do not want to see?

We have come to terms with a lot of things that others notice with open eyes (and noses). And we also criticize a lot, also in this forum,, so let's not be too harsh on her.

Oh, I almost forgot: Thanks for every 'thumbs down'!

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Can't please everyone!

Do we really have to care what one phone obsessed Bimbo thinks?

I don't, you don't. we don't, but obviously someone somewhere isn't very happy, and if the cap fits...................

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Can't please everyone!

Do we really have to care what one phone obsessed Bimbo thinks?

What kind of "Bimbo" are you? A comment obsessed one?

Thailand is almost as sensitive to insults to the tourism industry as it is to defamation of the royal family. This is one Karen that won't be back 🙄

4 hours ago, theshu25 said:

She sounds a bit like the Faulty Towers episode. What did she expect in Thailand?, view of the Sydney Harbour bridge, The tower of London, The pyramids.

No, just wild wealderbeast

I have lived here for more than thirty years. I love Thailand and have, for the most part, had very positive experiences here. However, there is one thing that has never changed in my time here that she mentioned that I agree with and that is the trash, especially plastic bags, that you see everywhere. I have never understood why Thai people treat their country like a rubbish bin and take no responsibility for disposing of their trash properly.

3 minutes ago, BerndD said:

What kind of "Bimbo" are you? A comment obsessed one?

Troll alert!

We should not pay much attention to a traveler complaining about 500 baht lodging. These tourists contribute very little to either the social or economic fabric of Thailand and actually create a bad impression of the country. If you can find a clean and safe place to sleep for 500 or 600 baht, that sounds like a very low price.

There are certain posters here, jamesphuket10 being one that would say they don't want this type of person in Phuket anyway. This person is "riff-raff", or "trashy tourist" keep them out with the high prices. If you don't have money, stay away. Elitist nonsense but there ya go.

Not taking a go at you james, but you have posted that sentiment.

I find it humorous that she makes all these conclusions after a two week experience. Plenty of backpacker hostels down Trang way. Not as many tourists there. Kanchanaburi rooms on the river are around 200thb and plenty of nature there. It's a big country, you are not going to see much in two weeks.

29 minutes ago, Vlada Floric said:

I don't, you don't. we don't, but obviously someone somewhere isn't very happy, and if the cap fits...................

On this occasion i would say, If the broom fits.....

1 hour ago, lou norman said:

Thailand? I've heard about that place. Nobody goes there anymore, its too crowded.

It ain't over till the fat lady sings.

41 minutes ago, BerndD said:

What kind of "Bimbo" are you? A comment obsessed one?

No, we just live in reality. A reality that this bimbo seems to have missed. Rooms are available for backpackers that don´t care about quality from 250-300 baht a night.

There is no problem with food hygiene. How many times per year do we read about food poison? Maybe 4-5 times out of 30M tourists. I been living in Thailand over 28 years and never had a problem with the food.

People unfriendly? No, they are not. They are just like people everywhere, and can get tired out of much work and maybe not smile all the time.

She can go on and try to be perfect. Before that, she probably has to alter her mind and find a good plastic surgeon.

And you, can put yourself in the bimbo bracket.

14 minutes ago, Kat Hao said:

We should not pay much attention to a traveler complaining about 500 baht lodging. These tourists contribute very little to either the social or economic fabric of Thailand and actually create a bad impression of the country. If you can find a clean and safe place to sleep for 500 or 600 baht, that sounds like a very low price.

There are some very nice, clean and comfortable rooms available for 500 to 600 hundred Baht, its just a matter of looking. I would guarantee you wouldn't turn your nose up at our prices at 400 and 450 Baht/night. On the other side of the coin there are places not to far away @300 Baht, and I wouldn't put my dog in them. However, Thai people do use them, but that's their choice.

I'm getting a bit tired of reading or watching these amplifications of views of some disruntled, unknown tourist on social media. Who cares what she thinks? Why amplify that? If Thailand can't take the odd criticism of some tourist it is too thin skinned. Ignore it.

3 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

No, we just live in reality. A reality that this bimbo seems to have missed. Rooms are available for backpackers that don´t care about quality from 250-300 baht a night.

There is no problem with food hygiene. How many times per year do we read about food poison? Maybe 4-5 times out of 30M tourists. I been living in Thailand over 28 years and never had a problem with the food.

People unfriendly? No, they are not. They are just like people everywhere, and can get tired out of much work and maybe not smile all the time.

She can go on and try to be perfect. Before that, she probably has to alter her mind and find a good plastic surgeon.

And you, can put yourself in the bimbo bracket.

Gottfrid, that means something in which language? Maybe something like Bimbo? In any case, it has nothing to do with God, even though bimbos, er, Gottfrids may feel that way.

About surgeon: there are good brain surgeons in Thailand.

Overrated ... Gee you think. Wouldn't have been my choice for a holiday, if I didn't work at an airlines. Was a fluke for me even visiting as it was. Near free airfare, First Class, and I had weeks of timeshare to burn. If not, I'd be retired elsewhere, as TH was not on my radar for a retirement location, or a holiday. Suggested by a friend as a holiday, so, why not.

As far as holidays go, have some lovely coastline, tand I still get a kick out of limestone karsts, but that's about all TH has to offer. Tourist area surf is either too polluted, or too rough to swim in, almost year round. Mountains (hills) are nothing special, though nice enough.

And the air pollution, does make you wonder how bad every other place is, that so many come to TH, during smog season. Though not as bad this year as past seasons.

13 minutes ago, BerndD said:

Gottfrid, that means something in which language? Maybe something like Bimbo? In any case, it has nothing to do with God, even though bimbos, er, Gottfrids may feel that way.

About surgeon: there are good brain surgeons in Thailand.

You are just a mad little guy, that has chosen to pester this forum. Just leave!

13 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

You are just a mad little guy, that has chosen to pester this forum. Just leave!

OK, Bimfrid. You're right, sorry!

7 hours ago, TedG said:

As someone once told me. When you visit the East, you need to turn off your Western brain.

So true- it takes a long time to adjust- and frankly any opinion based on a 2 week holiday has to be regarded as at best hopefully a well intentioned comment based upon relatively modest local knowledge

I find this influencer to be grossly overrated, and I wish they would have stated her name it seems only fair.

Perhaps the extreme level of misery that exists within her own mind is preventing her from enjoying Thailand. Not that I don't have a few complaints about the place, but I enjoy every day here and find Thailand to be delightful.

It's just one incredibly minor influencer's opinion, and it should mean absolutely nothing to anybody. She means considerably less than zero.