Thai netizens are up in arms over a Thai influencer posting a video of himself dancing shirtless on a car roof at a popular tourist viewpoint in Japan on Monday.
The influencer, known as ‘Jack Papho’, is seen dancing in front of a Lawson convenience store, near Kawaguchiko Lake, one of the most popular Instagram spots in Japan, from where tourists can clearly see the iconic Mount Fuji. Some passersby were seen filming him.
The video has reportedly been deleted from Facebook, despite claims that the influencer would not do so. The same video remains on TikTok, along with a caption, which can be translated as “Even though people look down on me, I don’t care about what they say.”
The video on TikTok has attracted 2.3 million views and at least 4,000 comments. Most of the netizens condemned the influencer for being disrespectful.
Many Thai travel influencers joined the criticism. One influencer, ‘Japan Salary Man’, posted that, nowadays, Japanese people are not happy with foreign tourists, especially at tourist spots where a large number of visitors flock to take pictures and disturb local people, such as blocking road crossings or dropping litter.
Another influencer ‘Tiew Laew Tiew Eek’ commented that what the influencer is doing is not cool or entertaining and his actions damage the reputation of Thai tourists.
The influencer’s wife has posted on Facebook apologising to netizens, saying that she has already warned him not to dance on the car and even told him to delete the video.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn commented on the social media drama, stating that this inappropriate behaviour will adversely affect Thailand’s reputation.
He said that the ministry has tried to inform Thai tourists abroad that they should respect the local rules and cultures. It will also ask the international community to avoid any negative stereotyping of Thai tourists.
Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow also commented that it is widely understood that Japan is strict in enforcing its rules. Therefore, tourists have to be careful and that the influencer’s actions do affect Thailand’s reputation.
In April 2024, a large black net was erected at the Lawson convenience store, blocking the view of Mount Fuji, to address over-tourism. This also came after complaints that foreign tourists have violated the rules, from jaywalking, parking cars at no-parking areas, and taking photos in the middle of the crossroads. Despite traffic signs and warnings being installed, tourists have continued to ignore the rules.
