European backpackers gate-crash Thailand funeral, confuse repast reception for food court

These German tourists were lost in translation, crashing a funeral reception dinner service they mistook for a food court. Photo / Facebook, Charantorn Chaloemkiad

Two German tourists were left embarrassed and apologetic after crashing a funeral reception in Thailand, confusing the venue for a restaurant.

The incident took place in the southern city of Nakhon Si Thammarat on Saturday evening local time, according to the New York Post.

Video footage shows the pair, dressed in white casualwear, sitting at a table under a marquee, searching for menus and scanning the venue for a server, while mourners continued eating and conversing around them.

Local man Charantorn Chaloemkiad said he was helping as an usher at the traditional event when he noticed the backpackers enter the backyard dinner service.

“I went over to speak with them and they asked if the place was a food court,” he said.

“They had heard about food courts online and wanted to try the food.

“They had wandered over from a nearby night market and followed the smell of the cooking.”

Chaloemkiad said the pair were “mortified” when he told them they had actually stumbled into a funeral, not a food court.

“They were very apologetic; however, it was very funny,” he said.

One Facebook clip, which has amassed 2.8 million views, shows the moment a woman approaches the oblivious tourists with bottles of water.

The translated caption reads: “A foreigner walks into a black event. Thought it was a buffet..... hahahaha oi.”

The Daily Mail reported that despite the tourists’ honest mistake, the deceased’s family insisted the pair stay and dine with the other guests.

They were reportedly served iced milk and deep-fried dough sticks, which they ate before thanking the generous hosts and leaving for the night.

However, the pair were not the only unexpected visitors to join the days-long funeral festivities.

These Dutch tourists were served food and drink at a Thailand funeral reception they thought was a restaurant. Photo / Facebook: Charantorn Chaloemkiad

Two days later, a group of Dutch travellers walked into the same event and asked whether the “restaurant” offered blended cocktails.

Another video shows the bereaved family serving the trio traditional food and drinks.

Chaloemkiad said he informed the group they had entered a “traditional South Thai funeral”.

“The family invited the Dutch visitors to sit and eat with them anyway,” he said.

“They were amazed by the gesture and said Thai people are the kindest in the world.”

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