PHUKET — A Kazakhstani social media influencer has sparked widespread backlash after filming herself pouring milk over her head and scattering snacks across the floor of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Phuket, the latest in a series of incidents involving foreign content creators that has fuelled calls for a review of Thailand's visa policies.
The video, which quickly circulated on social media before being deleted from the influencer's account, shows the woman opening products, dumping their contents onto the shop floor and then pouring two bottles of fresh milk over herself as part of what appeared to be a social media stunt designed to attract views and engagement. Employees at the store were left to clean up the mess and dispose of ruined merchandise while the influencer apparently walked away without paying for the damage.
The incident, which follows similar acts of vandalism by foreign visitors in recent months, has further inflamed public frustration over the behaviour of some tourists in Thailand. While the vast majority of visitors are law-abiding, a small minority has drawn increasing scrutiny for acts ranging from public disturbances and reckless driving to outright vandalism and criminal activity.
Day by day, a number of foreigners are behaving more and more disrespectfully, and incidents like these are fuelling growing calls among Thais to review the current 60-day visa-free policy, which was introduced in July 2024 and grants visa-free entry to citizens of 93 countries and territories. Critics argue that the extended stay window has made it easier for irresponsible individuals to enter and misbehave, while doing little to attract the high-quality tourists Thailand wants to encourage.
For some, shortening stays back to 30 days is seen as a way to discourage irresponsible behaviour while maintaining Thailand's appeal to respectful visitors. The government has already signalled that it is reconsidering the 60-day policy, with the Tourism and Sports Minister recently announcing plans to revert to a shorter stay period and reduce the number of eligible countries.
Whether the Kazakhstani influencer will face legal consequences for the vandalism remains unclear. No formal complaint has been reported, and authorities have not announced an investigation. But for many Thais, the video was yet another example of a trend that has become all too familiar: foreign social media users treating Thailand as a playground for destructive stunts, with no apparent fear of punishment.
The incident has also raised questions about whether platforms like TikTok and Instagram are doing enough to discourage content that promotes vandalism and public nuisance. The influencer's video has been widely condemned online, but the damage—both to the store and to Thailand's reputation—has already been done. As the government considers tightening visa rules, acts like this may prove to be the tipping point. The 60-day experiment is on borrowed time, and influencers who confuse vandalism with content creation may soon find Thailand's doors closing a little more firmly behind them.