I’ve known Phuket for over 25 years and just spent another three weeks there. That an island changes over such a long period is understandable and a global phenomenon. However, Phuket has definitely passed its peak; the island is hardly suitable for a relaxing holiday anymore. That is, unless you isolate yourself completely in a remote resort, far away from the madness.

Patong, in particular, has become a total disaster. The traffic is an absolute nightmare—you’re stuck in permanent gridlock while motorcycles with deafening, open exhausts roar past you. Little remains of the former warmth: you hardly see friendly Thais anymore; instead, you’re often treated with an unparalleled arrogance. Coupled with massive price hikes and a cuisine that is now just a pale imitation of former days, the label 'Land of Smiles' feels like a bad joke today. My conclusion: It’s no wonder Vietnam is increasingly taking tourists away from Thailand. I, too, will be avoiding the country more and more in the future.

I doubt most people take travel direction from a backpacker. 🫠

The Thailand’s biggest problem today are social media influencers and bad tourists mix with alcohol, drugs, prostitution and government doing nothing about it ..

Yes, if it is truly her opinion like it with ours that is her choice. Let leave it at that! 🤣

16 hours ago, BritManToo said:

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.

Poor quality oil not to mention the flies

What she said is all true, so why get mad at someone for having the courage to speak the truth. Sure, it's just her opinion, but I firmly believe that the majority of foreigners would agree with her.

3 hours ago, lou norman said:

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

Many people think it's part of Taiwan; ignorance is bliss !

I think it's true to say you don't know Thailand until you've lived here for a number of years...in my case 21. There are many plus's for us living here and there a quite a few minus's as well but let's face it; wherever you are, or live, there are things you will like and dislike. For Tourists; they only have a short time to make an overall decision about anywhere they go and if they are unfortunate enough to have two or three negative experiences during a week or two, then they will form a negative opinion overall. Such is life.......next Tourists opinion please !

Thailand was great 20 years ago. Not anymore.

17 hours ago, BritManToo said:

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.

I paid 140 baht a night for 5 nights including eggs and bacon breakfast in Chiang Mai, no problems

Got it. Every place has it problems, good and bad things about it.

My question is why did the influencer believe someone whose job or purpose is to sell Tourism to foreigners.

There are hundreds of videos about 100's of places on YouTube. After watching about 50 and then visiting that country or location there were many things not discussed.

My advice if you have limited time or resources is to Target places that check off more boxes than any others.

If you like nature, mountains, wildlife than your top 5 is places that meet your specs, are safe, have decent healthcare/hospitals, affordable, and a logistics network in place already, along with solid Mobile coverage. You can solve a lot of problems with the internet, maps, translation apps and showing a picture of something you want or need to locate.

The People. Tourist know almost zero about Thai culture, people, and customs. Once you understand Thai's you understand they are some of the best people in the World.

Guess she's never been to Paris...

She's not totally wrong.

Even in Samui the traffic is getting bad now. Often long tailbacks on parts of the island at certain times; Maenam to Bophut on the ring road, Bangrak when the speedboats depart/or arrive, and that's without the ongoing dust, roadworks and uneven roads, with holes covered by steel plates. I know at least two people that have had accidents due to the roadworks.

19 hours ago, BritManToo said:

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.

Not in Singapore or Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, etc...

Parts of All Asia¡

Locals here are lazy and local councils don't provide assistance to promote alternatives to littering and dumping.

Anti -littering laws (if any) are ignored and/or not enforced. The same as seatbelts and helmets.

I'm assuming nothing is taught in schools or promoted on any media.

Why is the video in Thai? Trying to tell Thais how bad their country is.?

I agree with her on many points it takes time to get used to highways but a lot of things you’re very expensive I do agree with that not the ones that she was mentioning but other things TIT

She is entitled to her opinion, and I guess not far wrong, on the street food issue, I tend to stay away from most of it, they don't always change the oil enough times, so it's fast track to an ulcer or food poisoning, if your unlucky.

5 hours ago, Priorexpat said:

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.

Well the Government stress that 2 weeks is enough for a holiday in Thailand so expect a bit of flack if it doesn't meet your expectations.

6 hours ago, CM Dad said:

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.

Yep, main think in Thailand that annoys me is lack of rubbish bins. 8 know they probably still prefer to throw on ground or decorate trees with plastic bags of rubbish. Even in shopping centres is easier to find a pro than a bin.

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

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.

Well Mike if your on Holiday and you post a negative comment expect a visit from the Police. You have to be out of the country before you critisize it.

22 minutes ago, Jiggo said:

She is entitled to her opinion, and I guess not far wrong, on the street food issue, I tend to stay away from most of it, they don't always change the oil enough times, so it's fast track to an ulcer or food poisoning, if your unlucky.

Most street food is stir fried. There's no oil to replace. Thai street food is one if it's most appealing things.

6 hours 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.

Ok, we choose to attack names. What I can read, in that case, you have been choosing a very fitting one. BerndD. The closest we can associate with and that sounds same is Burned, and that seems like a good choice. 🤣

Keep quiet (Halt die Schnauze) and head back to Ballermann, young lady, where you fit in.🤡

These so-called German influencer wannabes are downright ridiculous—and their numbers keep growing. Perhaps it's time to ban all German influencers from traveling abroad, Mr. Merz.

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

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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Some truths in her article but moaning about 600 baht for a room 😱 Wow. Obviously a <deleted> packer who should of stayed at home the cheap charlie b***h. 😡

11 minutes ago, Beat666 said:

Keep quiet (Halt die Schnauze) and head back to Ballermann, young lady, where you fit in.🤡

These so-called German influencer wannabes are downright ridiculous—and their numbers keep growing. Perhaps it's time to ban all German influencers from traveling abroad, Mr. Merz.

What kind of sad Swiss clown are you? You've probably get beated on the head too many times, 666 times? Germans did it?

5 hours ago, fittobethaied said:

What she said is all true, so why get mad at someone for having the courage to speak the truth. Sure, it's just her opinion, but I firmly believe that the majority of foreigners would agree with her.

No we wouldn’t.

7 hours ago, Priorexpat said:

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.

Agree with this. It's humourous to judge Thailand from a two weeks holiday, if you've had a few bad experiences at one place. Change destination in Thailand, or try again at another time, and the same person might praise the place instead.

She is just after clicks, and she sure got them.

27 minutes ago, BerndD said:

What kind of sad Swiss clown are you? You've probably get beated on the head too many times, 666 times? Germans did it?

Thanks for the laugh. You just Made my Day.😂

1 hour ago, Beat666 said:

Thanks for the laugh. You just Made my Day.😂

It's certainly not your day today.

666, the mark of the beast, but related to you, the mark of the beat!

16 minutes ago, BerndD said:

It's certainly not your day today.

666, the mark of the beast, but related to you, the mark of the beat!

How do you know it's not my Day?

Reading your posts just Make me laugh.🤡

You must be a famous stand-up comedian.