In a recent incident on the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok, a video went viral depicting a heated argument between a foreign man and a Thai woman over boarding etiquette. The incident occurred when the foreigner, described with an American accent but of Chinese descent, almost missed the train due to passengers blocking the door. Jah, who shared the video on social media and later with news agencies, recounted boarding the train at Siam BTS Station with the individuals involve
According to Jah, the foreign man, wearing a black shirt, faced difficulty boarding as some passengers refused to make way, remaining at the door. Upon entering, he reportedly bumped into a woman in a pink shirt without apologizing, asking her to move inside in a manner perceived as rude by the woman, leading to a verbal altercation. The exchange, captured in the video, included profanities and accusations about language skills.
During the incident, another foreign woman on the train intervened to calm the situation, pointing out the foreign man’s perceived rudeness and urging him to calm down. The argument continued until the end of the video, with both parties expressing frustration.
In an interview with Thai Rath, Jah expressed understanding for both perspectives. She acknowledged the foreigner’s frustration at boarding difficulties but also sympathized with the Thai woman’s reaction to perceived rudeness. Thai netizens, responding to the video, criticized the foreigner for insulting Thai people’s English skills while not speaking Thai himself. The incident has sparked a debate online about cultural differences in public transport etiquette and communication.