February 5, 2026 | 10:28 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A traditional Thai funeral ceremony is similar to a food festival. Funeral organizers typically provide a variety of food and drinks, complete with tables and chairs like those at a restaurant. For foreign tourists unfamiliar with this tradition, a funeral ceremony can be mistaken for a food festival.
That's what happened at a funeral home in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Confidently, two German tourists entered the funeral home and ordered food. The incident was captured on video that circulated online on January 31, 2026, according to the Bangkok Post. The clip shows the couple sitting at a table waiting for their food, unaware that they were in the middle of a mourning ceremony.
One of the funeral attendees, Charantorn Chaloemkiad, recounted the incident. According to Charantorn, they had come from a nearby night market and followed the aroma of food. "I approached them to talk, and they asked if it was a food court," he told Viral Press.
Charantorn later explained that they had gone to the wrong place. They had come to a house where a funeral was taking place.
Upon realizing it was a funeral, the tourists appeared surprised and quickly apologized. They were ready to leave as a sign of respect. However, the host greeted them graciously and asked them to remain and eat with them.
The host served cold milk and crispy, golden fried dough sticks. After the travelers finished eating, they thanked the family before leaving.
Thai funeral ceremonies often last for several days. The German tourist wasn't the only one to intrude. Two days later, a group of Dutch tourists also entered the premises and asked if the "restaurant" served cocktails. Despite the mistake, the Dutch tourists were still served food and drinks and agreed to pay. However, the family refused any form of payment.
Read: Vietnam's Tourism Grows, Thailand Worries About Losing Competitiveness
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Rome Begins Charging Entry Fees for Trevi Fountain Visitors
2 hari lalu
Starting Monday, January 2, 2026, tourists who want to see the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, up close will have to pay 2 euros, or around Rp40,000.
Tourists Struggle to Take Photos at These 10 Attractions
3 hari lalu
Getting the best photos at popular tourist spots can be quite difficult.
Shunning Japan, Chinese Tourists Turn to South Korea During Lunar New Year
3 hari lalu
South Korea is expected to overtake Japan as the most popular overseas destination for Chinese tourists this Lunar New Year.
Why Tourists Keep Returning to the Same Vacation Spot
4 hari lalu
According to a study, tourists return to the same vacation destination for several reasons.
Batam Sees Influx of Singapore and Malaysia Shoppers
15 hari lalu
In recent months, the number of foreign tourists from Singapore and Malaysia visiting Batam City, Riau Islands Province, Indonesia, has increased.
Bali Named the World's Best Travel Destination for 2026 by TripAdvisor
18 hari lalu
Bali was ranked number one as the world's best tourist destination in 2026 in TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards
These 3 Japanese Cities Remain Top Destinations for Indonesians
21 hari lalu
Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo, these three destinations are among the favorites for Indonesians who are on vacation in Japan.
Malaysia Targets 4.6 Million Indonesian Tourists in 2026
22 hari lalu
Malaysia is targeting to attract 4.6 million Indonesian tourists by 2026.
Japan to Triple Departure Tax in July 2026 to Curb Overtourism
28 hari lalu
The Japanese government plans to triple departure tax and introduce a new travel fee through the JESTA system in 2028
Transportation Ministry Responds to Claims Bali Is Losing Tourists
37 hari lalu
Indonesian Transportation Ministry recorded a 1.16 percent increase in air visits to Bali during the Christmas and New Year 2025 period
