A BBC's controversial documentary on Thailand's dark side, focusing on crime and sex tourism, has been heavily criticized.
A heated debate erupted online after the documentary titled "Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise" aired on September 8.
Instead of receiving the positive attention it sought, the film sparked a strong reaction from viewers around the world.
The documentary is presented by Zara McDermott, a 28-year-old former contestant on the British TV show "Strictly Come Dancing".
This choice also sparked a wave of criticism, with many wondering why the BBC entrusted such a sensitive subject to someone without professional journalistic experience.
When insecurity in Thailand refers to insecurity in the UK
Pattaya's walking street. Photo : Travelodge Hotel
The documentary explores the 'dark side' of Thailand, addressing issues such as crime and the sex trade in nightlife areas like Khao San Road in Bangkok or Pattaya.
It also questions the reasons why so many British tourists flock to the country.
However, when the BBC shared the documentary trailer on social media and TikTok, it garnered over 800 comments, but none supported the narrative it attempted to present.
On the contrary, most viewers severely criticized the documentary, mocking its content and contesting its accuracy.
What was supposed to be a damning report quickly turned into a comparison: for many, Thailand appears much safer than the UK and other Western countries.
Reactions from netizens on social media
An Asian woman looks at her smartphone.
Foreigners from around the world have rallied to defend Thailand, speaking out with one voice against what they see as a distorted representation.
“Bangkok and the dark side?
I have walked the streets of Thailand at 4 am with my phone in hand for months without any problems, but I couldn’t do that in the UK.”
“I have lived in Thailand for five years and I am rarely confronted with crime.
The only problem I have encountered is being chased by dogs while jogging.”
See our article on this topic: Pack of aggressive dogs in Thailand, how to react?
“They are desperately trying to portray Thailand as a dangerous country, which is ridiculous, as Thailand is much safer than the United States and the United Kingdom.”
“Yesterday, in Koh Samui, I saw a jewelry store with a sign saying ‘Back in an hour’.
“In the UK, it would have been looted, but here in Thailand, it is perfectly safe.”
Foreign residents in Thailand also shared their views on the documentary in an article in The Nation Thailand:
“I have been living in Thailand for 5 years and I have never felt in danger.
“It all depends on the reason why you come.”.
If you come to party and look for girls, there's a good chance you'll get into trouble, as everywhere else in the world.
But if you come to enjoy the tourist sites, culture, and cuisine, then everything will be fine, as long as you behave well! »
“I am British and I apologize for the BBC.
It is not what it used to be; it is now in competition with many channels and the Internet, and therefore has to make a sensational story out of everything.
Yes, of course, Thailand has a dark side; show me a country that doesn't. »
« I'd just like to tell you an anecdote where I was walking along a khlong in a poor neighborhood near Bangkok, with my camera worth £3,000.
Four young men were walking in the opposite direction and, by British standards, I was expecting trouble.
They stepped aside to let me pass, nodded their heads and said to me in perfect English: 'Good evening, sir ».
In a poor neighborhood in the UK, 9 times out of 10, I would have ended up £3,000 poorer and had a hard time getting out of the river. »
“There are a lot of British people in Thailand, and we could all go home tomorrow, but we're here because Thailand is an exceptional country, with a welcoming culture and great people.”.
Yes, the paperwork and bureaucracy are like a national sport, but everyone needs a hobby.
As for the dark side, some people enjoy it and those of us who don't like it have no trouble avoiding it.”
“Let's be honest, where do you feel safest?
Walking around any English town at 1 am on a Saturday night, for example Manchester, London, Liverpool, Glasgow, etc.”.
At the risk of getting beaten up just for looking at a drunk idiot drinking a Stella, or in Bangkok, Phuket, etc., at 1 am on a Saturday night? »
« I'm confident when my wife goes for a walk like she did two nights ago, because she couldn't sleep in the suburbs of Bangkok, where we live now after leaving the UK, she's perfectly safe. »
BBC Criticism
Tourists in Khao San Road, Bangkok. Photo: Own
Some internet users have expressed their suspicions about the BBC's sudden interest in negative stories about Thailand, contrasting with the more positive coverage the country had received in the past.
The BBC has long been the subject of allegations of racial, regional, and political bias in its media coverage, particularly towards Asian countries.
Some have drawn a parallel with the British colonial legacy and have highlighted what they saw as elements of racial prejudice, remarks that have added a particularly striking dimension to the debate.
This phenomenon highlights the crisis faced by the media in the digital age: the tension between accuracy and the pursuit of audience share.
For the press, credibility can easily be lost.
A critical documentary that triggers a wave of love for Thailand
Touristes en Thaïlande. Photo : Joshua Resnick
These comments reveal that many foreigners have had extremely positive experiences in Thailand and feel that the BBC's description does not reflect the reality they experienced.
Of course, every country has its strengths and weaknesses, and crime is on the rise in Thailand.
However, for many Western travelers, the kingdom remains much safer than their country of origin.
It's not the same for Asian travelers who have a different perception after many cases of tourists being kidnapped by call centers in Burma or Cambodia.
See: Thailand: cancellations or traveling with fear for Chinese tourists
The crucial question is whether these accounts are presented in a truthful manner.
What emerges is that these foreigners do not defend Thailand out of emotion, but from the point of view of daily life.
For them, Thailand is a special country, characterized by its warm culture and remarkable people.
Their impressions are based on authentic experience, not on advertising.
In the end, this moment has shown that love for Thailand is not limited to Thais alone.
The collective voices of foreigners who stand up to defend the country reflect not only their affection but also their fight for fairness in reporting, a stance in favor of the truth when it is distorted.
In seeking to denounce the “dark side” of the kingdom, the BBC inadvertently triggered a global wave of unanimous testimony: for thousands of travelers, Thailand remains a welcoming and safe country.
See also:
A documentary on sex tourism in Pattaya worries Thailand
Documentary: The dark sides of Bangkok, corruption, drugs, police mafia…
Thailand: the wave of crime in Pattaya worries tourists and expatriates
Thailand: three brawls involving tourists shake Pattaya
Thailand: a shocking assault deals another blow to tourism
Source: The Nation Thailand
6 comments
It's not Thailand that should be criticized, but uneducated foreigners who behave very badly.
I am Swiss and when I see all these foreigners behaving in a disrespectful manner, without know-how, without elegance, without a basic education, I look on in despair.
On the other hand, it must be said that the ground is conducive to this, because the Thais are far from being examples of respect either.
And this benefits foreigners to follow in this wrong direction.
If the Thais were exemplary, for example on traffic, on police controls everywhere, on the rules of street markets, the rules on noise pollution, finally all the rules not respected, laws on criminal minors, etc., foreigners would be quickly brought to order.
For example, the hypocrisy between the prohibition of prostitution and reality is not in favor of clarity on this subject either.
On the other hand, criticizing without understanding is also a serious mistake by the BBC, which does not mention the security in Thailand and the qualities that are not found elsewhere.
I am a passionate traveler to Thailand, a country that delights me on every visit that lasts 1 month.
Having traveled the country for over 50 years, mainly by local buses, sometimes by domestic flight, I have never had any bad encounters.
I regularly read the site « All Thailand » to follow the country's news, but I have to say that it sometimes makes me doubt the risks that await tourists!
Too many of your articles create doubt about what awaits travelers.
Too bad, although you have respect for the country, but your publications also create insecurity.
I continue to travel to Thailand, I'm not a night owl, often back at the hotel around 10 pm.
For travelers, don't hesitate to go to Thailand, this country is fabulous, it deserves its nickname » the land of smiles » and security is very present, if you behave correctly, as at home…
Don't show them Bernard de la Villiardière's reports from the 2000s, they might be even more shocked, lol.
Thailand is the most wonderful and fantastic country in the world where people are pleasant, kind, and calm, honest and hardworking.
I went to Bangkok, Sakhon Nakon, in Issan, I visited temples by the dozen and was welcomed by joyful and respectful people.
The traditions are different from the West, you need to know and respect them.
I would love to live in Thailand, France is rotten, the French are jealous and nasty, aggressive and dangerous, uneducated and stupid, lazy and assisted by social welfare.
They have lost the sense of the sacred and the sense of duty, no longer know how to be of service, they have become selfish, violent and brain-dead by the media that tell just anything…
Undoubtedly a sensational reportage as we often see, also made by an uneducated and brainless Bimbo…
And indeed, before being horrified by what is happening with others, all these pseudo-journalists should already be talking about the situation in our European countries that is only getting worse every day.
But there, shh, not a word, just like with the story of all these young girls prostituted by Pakistani gangs, it was especially not to be mentioned!
But good, if the BBC is like our public TV/radio, under the control of Islamo-leftists and other wokists, nothing surprising.
Media backlash for this young journalist who makes a global scoop despite herself, from countless tourists or foreign residents who have stayed or established their permanent residence in Thailand.
Each person will form their own opinion and there are necessarily as many divergent or convergent opinions as there are interlocutors, each with their own experience ranging from a few weeks to several decades…
No country can boast 100% absolute security, even Bhutan, the so-called 'country of happiness' has its 'dark side'!
In terms of statistics, Iceland has been recognized for many years as the safest country in the world, where it is not uncommon to see babies left asleep in their strollers outside a bistro or supermarket while their parents drink a beer or shop!!!
Also in the top 10, we have Singapore, Ireland, Japan, Denmark, Portugal…
As for our French-speaking countries, Belgium, out of 168 countries surveyed by the IEP (Global Institute for Peace) study, ranks 31st in 2025 and France ranks 74th… (Thailand ranks 90th).
To each their own opinion, more or less objective or subjective, depending on their own analysis and their own experiences, their life journey, their setbacks, their good or bad encounters…