BANGKOK, THAILAND – A high-profile TikTok influencer’s criticism of local attitudes toward tourists sparked a fierce debate on respect and language barriers.
Influencer’s harsh verdict on recent trip
TikTok creator Farah Shams, who had more than 2.4 million followers on the platform, described her latest stay in the country as a mixed experience in a clip that drew almost 400,000 views. She called the destination a “lovely place” and said she loved it “genuinely,” but alleged that a large share of residents were unfriendly to visitors. Shams said she felt that “the majority” of people she encountered reacted disrespectfully toward foreigners and tourists, overshadowing her otherwise positive impression.
Language barrier at the center of dispute
According to Shams, many people appeared not to understand her when she spoke English and chose to ignore her instead of trying to communicate in other ways. She stressed that
“the language barrier is very natural for humans”
said Farah Shams, influencer, but argued that people could use Google Translate in such situations or at least respond with a simple “no English” rather than completely overlooking her.
Comparisons with Turkey and Egypt
In her video, the influencer compared these impressions with previous trips to Turkey and Egypt, saying that conditions there could also be “pretty bad.” However, she claimed the current destination “tops them all” in terms of perceived disrespect. While she emphasized that there were certainly “lovely” people in the country, she summed up her view by describing the majority as
“the most disrespectful people I’ve ever met in my life”
said Farah Shams, influencer, presenting an overall strongly negative picture.
Online backlash and divided reactions
The clip triggered an intense online debate, with some users telling her to “stop coming,” while others defended the country and its residents. Several comments pointed out that translation apps worked both ways and said they had not experienced similar levels of rudeness even after two years in the country. Many local users argued that travelers should adapt more, as not everyone spoke English and tourists themselves could actively rely on translation tools.
Responsibility and refusal to apologize
When users asked whether her own behavior might have contributed to the tension, Shams replied,
“I am genuinely very kind until people disrespect me first!”
said Farah Shams, influencer, indirectly rejecting any personal responsibility. In the days after the backlash, some voices online called for an apology, but she said she was not prepared to offer one. In an Instagram Story, Shams stated that she stood by her comments, would not retract them and had only shared her personal experience, further fueling the ongoing discussion about cultural expectations, language barriers and mutual responsibilities between hosts and visitors.