On Friday, June 21, a foreign tourist was filmed urinating on a red tuk-tuk in Phuket’s Patong neighborhood. The video quickly went viral on Thai social media, igniting widespread outrage and criticism.
The video was initially shared by a local baht bus driver on his Facebook account, เบส ซาโจ้, with the caption, “Mobile toilet is everywhere in Patong. I’m sick of this kind of tourist.” The footage shows two foreign tourists sitting in the tuk-tuk; one was drinking a can of beer, while the other, wearing a red shirt, urinated directly onto the vehicle despite it being stuck in traffic and in full view of other motorists.
The incident sparked a significant backlash in the comments section, with many expressing their disgust and frustration. Comments included:
- “A variety of tourists we have to meet each day.”
- “Bad behavior.”
- “Mobile toilet…”
- “Don’t poop, OK?”
- “This man behaves worse than a dog. The animal chooses a suitable spot to pee, but he doesn’t.”
- “Charge him 10,000 baht for cleaning!”
This event follows similar incidents in Phuket and other parts of Thailand. In March, a foreign woman was criticized after being filmed urinating on Bangla Road while intoxicated. The video showed her pulling down her pants and urinating near a signpost despite being in public view.
Another incident occurred in May at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, where a couple, believed to be Chinese, allowed their young daughter to urinate in public outside the Grand Palace. Reactions were mixed, with some netizens understanding the child’s age but criticizing the parents for not managing the situation appropriately.
In another case from May last year, a transwoman was filmed urinating by the roadside near Lumpini Police Station. Instead of intervening, her friend recorded the act and posted it on social media, leading to widespread condemnation.
These incidents highlight ongoing issues with tourist behavior in Thailand, causing frustration among locals and raising concerns about respect and decency in public spaces.
