A traveller’s stay at Jasmine City Hotel in Bangkok took an unpleasant turn after she was fined 5,000 baht (about S$198) for bringing a durian fruit into her room.
According to the guest, the incident spiralled out of control when hotel staff allegedly lied about their roles, called security, and stopped her taxi as she was heading to the airport — causing her to nearly miss her flight.
“Two Staff, One Lie. Our Bangkok Nightmare.”
In a now-viral post titled “Two Staff, One Lie. Our Bangkok Nightmare!”, the guest recounted that the situation began at checkout when two female receptionists confronted her over the durian.
“One of them claimed she wasn’t the manager, but she was,” she wrote. “They teamed up, lied, and called security at checkout. This wasn’t about durian — it was about disrespect.”
The guest added that another manager had already cleared the issue the night before and was “totally understanding.”
Despite that, she said the two staff members tried to fine her again and “treated us with no respect.”
“It Was Never About The Money”
When commenters urged her to just pay the fine — equivalent to about £150 — the guest replied that the issue was about principle, not cost.
“It was never about the money. It was about the unfairness,” she said, adding that the hotel later issued an apology acknowledging that the staff’s behaviour had been inappropriate.
She also alleged that there were no signs inside the hotel mentioning the fine, and attached in the comments the only sign that was clear there.
Unfamiliarity with Southeast Asian Fruits
The guest explained in the comments that she did not know about the fine, and durian’s notoreity for being a fruit that holds regulations.
In another comment they explained they did not know what mangosteens were either.
Hotel’s Response
The guest later followed up on her TikTok that she received an email from the hotel regarding their staff’s behaviour. Following the viral post, Jasmine City Hotel management issued a formal apology acknowledging staff misconduct during the October 10 incident.
In the letter addressed to the guest, the hotel expressed its “deepest, unreserved, and most sincere apology” for the distress caused, confirming that internal actions were taken and CCTV footage preserved for investigation.
Management described the case as “a misconduct in professionalism,” adding that steps were being implemented to ensure such behaviour “never occurs again.”
The guest later shared the letter online, writing that the apology represented “at least some accountability now.”
Durian Rules In Bangkok Hotels
Durian, known as the “king of fruits,” is also infamous for its pungent smell. It can linger in carpets, curtains, and air-conditioning systems.
For that reason, many Bangkok hotels strictly prohibit the fruit on their premises. Some properties list a THB 5,000 fine for guests who bring durian into rooms, while others impose THB 2,000–3,000 cleaning fees.
The rule is not limited to hotels either. Bangkok’s bus and train operators also ban durians and other strong-smelling items from public transport to avoid disturbing passengers.
The guest has recently shared to her TikTok story that she shared her experience so that no one else would ‘get treated this way again.’
Thus, while the fruit remains a Southeast Asian favourite, bringing durian into hotels in Bangkok can quickly turn your holiday into a costly mistake.
Watch the video here:
@dee40494 #Bangkok #TravelWarning #HotelScam #ThailandTravel #TourismThailand #Booking #Agoda #TravelSafety #consumerrights @Travel
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
Tampines MRT Welcomes Durian Vending Machine for Fans of Mao Shan Wang
Thai Man, 35, Fined for Tying and Dragging His Dog on a Motorcycle After a Fight with His Partner
Woman Fined S$45 for Hitting Husband with Bamboo Stick During Argument
