Funeral Fumble: Western Tourists Mistake Thai Wake for a Restaurant
Western backpackers in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, accidentally gatecrashed a wake, mistaking it for a food court after following the cooking smell. A wake attendee explained the error, the travelers were mortified and apologized, and the deceased's sister even invited them to stay and offered refreshments. A Dutch group reportedly did the same a couple days later, underscoring how a cultural event can resemble a dining space from afar, while Thai hosts emphasized hospitality during lengthy funeral ceremonies.
