KRABI, THAILAND – An Indian travel blogger who accused a clinic in Krabi of scamming foreign tourists over a cannabis-related treatment issued a public apology after facing a fierce online backlash.
Instagram video sparks controversy
On 16 November, Indian travel blogger Monica Gupta posted a video on her Instagram account @travelwithshades, claiming she had been the victim of a “Thai hospital scam”. She said she and a male friend had begun to feel unwell about an hour after eating what she described as “strange gummy bears”, cannabis products they had bought in Phuket. The pair called a hospital and were admitted for treatment with intravenous infusions.
Dispute over rising medical bill
According to Gupta, staff initially showed them a bill of 17,500 Baht (about 435 euros), which they considered reasonable for two people. During the three-hour treatment both fell asleep and missed their flight, and when they went to settle the bill they were shocked to find the amount had risen. The clinic now demanded 36,000 Baht (about 895 euros) – 17,500 Baht per person – prompting Gupta to complain online about paying “100,000 rupees for 3 infusions”.
Backlash from Thai and Indian users
The allegations quickly triggered a wave of anger on social media, but largely against the blogger herself, as Thai and Indian users challenged her claims. An Indian man who said he had lived in Thailand for more than 22 years defended the country’s medical system, stating:
“Avoid unknown products and make sure you have travel insurance.”
said an Indian man living in Thailand for over 22 years. A Thai woman commented that treatment in state hospitals was significantly cheaper and that foreigners in private clinics always paid the same prices as locals.
Public apology and warning to tourists
Under mounting pressure, Gupta backtracked on 20 November and released a new video issuing a public apology.
“I am sorry that I caused a misunderstanding about Thai hospitals,”
said Gupta, travel blogger. She maintained, however, that the promotion of cannabis gummies was clearly aimed at tourists and warned others not to fall into the same “trap”, urging travellers to buy travel insurance and to consider visiting state hospitals.
Debate over responsibility
Many commentators remained critical, arguing that the blogger had consumed the gummies voluntarily and that this did not constitute a trap. The incident highlighted the risks associated with cannabis use while on holiday, with such cases involving tourists reported more frequently since legalisation in Thailand. In the end, the two travellers paid not only a high medical bill but also the price of a damaged online reputation, turning their Thailand trip into an expensive lesson.