What Thais think of foreign tourists: crazy, rude and dangerous

The Insider website interviewed Bangkok residents to find out what locals think of foreign travellers visiting Thailand's capital.

In 2019, Bangkok attracted around 20 million visitors, more than any other favourite destination in the world, including Paris, London and Singapore.

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

A journalist from the InsiderMarielle Descalsota, asked the question during her trip to Thailand last month.

It revealed common mistakes made by foreign travellers.

Readers of thai369.com who have read the article Do's and don'ts in Thailand, the things you need to knowSome of these mistakes are already known to the public.

6 common mistakes made by tourists in Bangkok, according to locals

1. Use feet to point to people or objects

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

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

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

"When you take public transport, for example, you don't put your feet up," says marketing executive Mandy Itthikaiwan.

"It's common in the West, but in Thailand it's a big no-no.

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

2. Not wearing enough clothes in the temples

Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok. Photo: Chainwit

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

But some tourists don't wear the right clothes when they visit the temples, said one resident who asked to be identified only by his first name, Jee.

"Thais know it's very hot, and we know that tourists come to Bangkok to relax and enjoy their holiday," Jee told me.

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

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

Clothing is provided in most temples if visitors forget to cover themselves.

See : Do's and don'ts of visiting a Buddhist temple in Thailand

3. Only eat in restaurants that are popular with tourists

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

Bangkok is a foodie's paradise with more than 320,000 restaurants, and many tourists like to eat at the city's most popular establishments, such as Jay Fai, a Michelin-starred street stall.

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

"Locals like to eat in the 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 Iconsiama huge and popular shopping mall in Bangkok.

I paid only 200 baht, or 5.58 euros, for a plate of kow klook gapi, or rice with shrimp paste, 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 are particularly ubiquitous in Bangkok.

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

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

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

"The spirit house is a sacred place," said Puacksumran.

"Sometimes strangers don't know this - they sit next to it and some even use the shrine as a table to have their meal.

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

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

5. Do not remove your shoes before entering a shrine

Taking off your 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 do not always know what to do when they visit temples.

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

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 every year, according to the Accident Data Center of Thailand, quoted 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 as they would in their own country and stop if they cross a road, but this is not the case.

In general, for example, motorbikes 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 speed up.

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

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

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

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