An Indian YouTuber travelling across Thailand on a very tight budget was asked to leave a Buddhist temple where he tried to camp for one night. The incident has since drawn backlash from viewers online, with many criticising the YouTuber’s attempt to travel across Thailand with no money.
Banshi, who runs the YouTube channel Anything Banshi, tried to set up a tent inside a temple in Udon Thani as part of his attempt to travel the world with no money. His presence drew several police officers to the temple, who repeatedly asked him to leave. The Indian YouTuber tried to convince the police officers and temple authorities to let him camp inside the temple premises for one night. Police officers and temple committee members reportedly asked him to pack his belongings and leave, explaining that the temple was not a place for outsiders to spend the night. They offered to help him get there, but Banshi declined, saying he wanted to keep his expenses to a minimum. The incident led to severe backlash against Banshi, mostly from Indians who accused the content creator of tarnishing the country’s image.
The whole incident lasted over 20 minutes, during which Banshi repeatedly tried to convince the police officers to let him stay — all in vain. He declined an offer from Thai police to stay at a nearby budget hotel costing 400 baht per night. The incident came to public attention on Sunday, October 11, following reports by Thai news outlets Khaosod and Naewna. The officers and temple representatives also expressed concern for his safety and suggested that he stay at a nearby hotel charging around ฿400 per night.
He claimed that he had spoken to a monk who told him he was allowed to stay overnight at the temple. Banshi later posted a video titled “Thailand Good Police Say Get Out of The Temple Now || First Bad Experience In Thailand Temple”, recounting his encounter with the authorities. Banshi had been travelling around Thailand without money and had relied on asking people for food and other assistance, according to his account.
