‘No-money’ Indian YouTuber sparks fury over attempt to sleep at Thai temple

UDON THANI – An Indian travel YouTuber has drawn online criticism after posting a video about being asked to leave a temple in Udon Thani, where he said he had sought shelter because he had no money.

The YouTuber, identified as Banshi, who has around 17,300 subscribers, titled the video “Thailand Good Police Say Get Out of The Temple Now || First Bad Experience In Thailand Temple”.

In the video, Banshi said he had been travelling in Thailand without money and had relied on asking people for help and food. Local police and temple committee members asked him to pack his belongings and leave, explaining that the temple was not a place for outsiders to stay overnight.

According to the account in the video, officers and temple representatives expressed concern for his safety and suggested that he stay at a budget hotel costing around 400 baht per night. They also offered to help him get there, but he declined, saying he wanted to travel on an extremely tight budget.

Banshi later moved his belongings to a petrol station to spend the night. Police also advised him on safety and how to continue his journey appropriately.

The video prompted a wave of criticism, with commenters questioning his decision to travel without sufficient funds and expecting free accommodation.

One commenter said travellers should respect local communities and avoid sleeping in public places without permission, adding that people who could not afford accommodation should reconsider their travel plans.

Another praised the officers for their handling of the situation, saying they had treated Banshi politely and offered a reasonable accommodation option. The commenter also urged him to respect local rules and understand that temples are places of worship, not free campsites.

Some criticism also came from people identifying themselves as Indian or members of the Indian community in Thailand. They said his conduct could reinforce negative stereotypes about Indian tourists and urged him to travel responsibly.

The online reaction focused largely on expectations of free accommodation and the responsibility of visitors to consider local rules and safety concerns.