What Thais Think of Foreign Tourists: Crazy, Rude, and Dangerous

Insider surveyed Bangkok residents to find out what they think of foreign travelers visiting Thailand's capital.

In 2019, Bangkok attracted around 20 million visitors, more than all other top destinations in the world, including Paris, London and Singapore.

But have you ever wondered what locals think about the millions of travelers who visit the metropolis?

a journalist from the Insider , asked the question during her trip to Thailand last month.

She revealed common mistakes made by foreign travelers.

Readers of toutelathailande.fr who have read the article Dos and Don'ts in Thailand, Essential Things to Know , already know some of these mistakes.

6 Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Bangkok, According to Locals

1. Use feet to point to people or objects

Travelers at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb

While the head is considered sacred in Thailand, the feet are considered impure.

Mandy Itthikaiwan, a Bangkok resident, told me it was offensive to wave or point at objects with your feet.

"When you take public transportation, for example, you don't lift your feet," says marketing executive Mandy Itthikaiwan.

“It’s common in the West, but in Thailand, it’s a big ‘no.’”

People should be especially careful not to point their feet at monks or Buddha images, as this is very rude in Thailand.

2. Not wearing enough clothes in temples

Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok. Photo: Chainwit

Over 93% of Thais practice Buddhism, which explains the abundance of temples throughout Thailand, especially in Bangkok.

But some tourists don't wear appropriate clothing when visiting temples, said a resident who asked to be identified only by his first name, Jee.

“Thai people know it’s very hot, and we know tourists come to Bangkok to relax and enjoy their vacation,” Jee told me.

Despite the heat, he said tourists should "try to follow customs" and refrain from wearing shorts.

Tourists are required to wear modest clothing that covers the shoulders and legs when visiting popular temples like Wat Arun and Wat Pho .

Clothing is provided at most temples if visitors forget to cover up.

See: Dos and Don'ts When Visiting a Buddhist Temple in Thailand

3. Only eat at restaurants popular with tourists

Restaurant on the banks of the Chao Praya River in Bangkok.

Bangkok is a foodie paradise with over 320,000 restaurants, and many tourists enjoy dining at the city's most popular establishments, such as Jay Fai, a Michelin-starred street food stall.

But a taxi driver I met in Bangkok told me that locals preferred to eat at roadside restaurants and mall restaurants.

“Locals like to eat in shopping malls,” Nakhon Ratchapong, the taxi driver, told me.

“The best food surprisingly comes from the food court.

It's also very cheap."

I took Ratchapong's advice and had breakfast at a market-style food court in Iconsiam , a huge, popular shopping mall in Bangkok.

I paid just 200 baht, or 5.58 euros, for a plate of kow klook gapi, or shrimp paste rice, five spicy dumplings, and a bottle of fresh fruit juice.

It was a delicious meal for an affordable price.

4. Not being respectful to spirit houses

Spirit houses in Bangkok. Photo: Chainwit

Spirit houses (pictured above) are common in many Southeast Asian cities, but they are particularly ubiquitous in Bangkok.

Locals believe these shrines house protective spirits, so they offer items like food and flowers, Uma Puacksumran, a Bangkok-based tour guide, told me.

Spirit houses resemble miniature temples or houses and are usually decorated with several strings of flowers.

But some tourists seem to think the spirit houses are just ordinary sets or even dining rooms, she said.

“The spirit house is a sacred place,” Puacksumran said.

“Sometimes outsiders don't know it – they sit nearby and some even use the shrine as a table to eat their meals.”

It is best to avoid approaching or touching spirit houses unless you are paying respects or leaving offerings.

See: Spirit houses in Thailand, to keep the good and chase away the bad

5. Do not remove your shoes before entering a shrine.

Removing one's shoes when entering a house is a local custom in Thailand, and shrines are no exception.

Puacksumran, the tour guide, explains that many Thais understand that tourists don't always know what to do when visiting temples.

"I have seen tourists who are hesitant to enter shrines because they don't know whether to take off their shoes," Puacksumran said.

6. Underestimating the danger of Bangkok's roads

Traffic in Bangkok. Photo: Jonny Belvedere

Bangkok's roads are among the most dangerous in the world, with up to 100,000 road accidents occurring each year, according to the Accident Data Center of Thailand, cited by the Bangkok Post newspaper.

See also: Why are Thailand's roads among the deadliest in the world?

Many Western tourists assume that Thai drivers will react like they do in their own country and stop if they cross a road, but this is not the case.

Generally, for example, motorcycles will go around pedestrians without stopping and some large cars will not even slow down when they see you crossing, it will be up to you to accelerate.

"Thailand is a country of freedom," said Puacksumran, a tour guide.

"People drive however they want in Bangkok, and some motorcyclists don't even wear helmets."

She said that for their own safety and to avoid the notorious traffic jams, rather than renting a vehicle, tourists should take one of the city's subways.

See also: Transport in Thailand, getting around in the land of smiles