A group of European backpackers accidentally crashed a funeral in Thailand after mistaking the memorial setup for a buffet restaurant.
In a viral video, tourists from Germany and another two from the Netherlands, the following day, showed up at a funeral venue under the impression it was a buffet restaurant or food festival. Instead of getting kicked out, they got fed.
The awkward moment, caught on video and shared widely online, has since gone viral, not for the mistake itself, but for the hosts’ unexpected generosity.
According to footage posted on January 31 and media reports, two German tourists wandered into a funeral venue after spotting rows of round banquet tables covered with food. Thinking it was a food festival or local buffet, they helped themselves.
Tourists told to stay and eat after accidentally crashing funeral
A wake attendee, Charantorn Chaloemkiad, said the pair asked him if the location was a “food court.”
They had reportedly followed the smell of cooking from a nearby night market and assumed it was open to the public. Once told it was a funeral, the tourists were visibly embarrassed and quickly apologized, preparing to leave, but the family stopped them. Instead of sending them away, the hosts smiled and invited them to sit and eat anyway.
To ease the tension, the deceased’s sister personally served the pair iced milk and freshly fried dough sticks. After finishing their meal, the visitors thanked the family and quietly left.
But that wasn’t the only mix-up.
The very next day, three brothers from the Netherlands made the same mistake.
They approached the crowded venue asking for drinks and a menu, again believing it was a restaurant. Despite the ongoing memorial, the family still made room and served them a full meal.
“They were amazed by the gesture and said Thai people are the kindest in the world,” Charantorn recalled.
Luckily, the tourists’ mistake didn’t cause any major concerns like these 10 times a vacation turned into a travel nightmare.
