Indian YouTuber tries to convince Thai cops for free stay at temple, faces backlash

An Indian YouTuber named Banshi was asked to leave a temple in Thailand after trying to stay there for free. The episode has sparked criticism online over travel etiquette and respect for local laws.

In Short

• Indian YouTuber criticised for trying to camp free at Thai temple
• He filmed police asking him to leave after 20-minute discussion
• Concerns raised over 'beggar tourism' harming India's image

An Indian YouTuber has received flak online after trying to camp at a temple in Thailand for free. His attempt to travel the country on a shoestring budget was called out by viewers, as many pointed out that the cops who handled the situation were “too kind” to him.

Banshi, 23, who documents his travels on his YouTube channel Anything Banshi, had spent 22 days in Thailand before filming the incident in Udon Thani. The backpacker, who aims to explore different countries on a tight budget, titled the 33-minute video ”Thailand Police say get out of the temple”.

The video began with Banshi documenting his day, including an encounter with Thai locals who invited him to lunch and showed him how to eat their food. However, the mood changed when he arrived at a temple later in the ay and attempted to convince the authorities to let him camp on the premises overnight.

The YouTuber told the police officers and temple authorities that he had spoken to a monk who had permitted him to stay. However, the officers refused to allow him to spend the night there.

The discussion continued for more than 20 minutes, with Banshi repeatedly explaining that he had no bad intentions. He also told the officers that he had not slept for three days. The police offered him the option of staying at a nearby budget hotel for 400 baht a night, but he declined the offer.

Despite his repeated attempts to persuade them, the authorities stood their ground and asked him to pack up and leave the temple premises.

As he left, a man advised Banshi against travelling without sufficient money, warning that doing so could put him in dangerous situations. “Don't travel like a beggar,” the man told him. Banshi eventually managed to pitch his tent at a nearby petrol station.

Watch the video here:

The video has garnered more than 46,000 views, and people have praised the Thai police for handling the situation calmly.

One viewer warned that his actions could have legal consequences, pointing to Thailand's entry requirements, restrictions on camping at religious sites and rules governing work on a tourist visa. The commenter also urged him to respect local laws and avoid travelling if he could not afford basic accommodation. "Filming monetised YouTube videos on a tourist visa without a work permit is also against the law," reads the comment.

Another viewer criticised the impact such behaviour could have on the country's image abroad, writing, “Being a beggar tourist like this can damage the image of India as a whole. Respect yourself and show respect for your fellow Indian citizens.”

Several others echoed concerns about so-called 'beggar tourism', arguing that expecting free accommodation from locals and authorities could undermine the goodwill extended to Indian travellers overseas.

- Ends