A group of Indian tourists have alleged discriminatory treatment at a popular beach venue in Thailand after they were denied entry despite holding confirmed reservations, an incident that has since drawn attention on social media.
The allegations were shared publicly by Goa-based musician Jonas Monteiro on Instagram. According to his account, the incident took place on January 19, 2025, at Yona Beach Club, a floating beach club that attracts international visitors.
Monteiro said the group arrived at the venue at the designated time and presented valid tickets purchased in advance. Despite this, they were stopped by security personnel at the entrance. He alleged that staff informed them they would only be permitted to enter if women were part of the group, a requirement he said was not disclosed at the time of booking.
Monteiro further claimed that when a female friend, who also held a valid ticket, identified herself as part of the same group, she was also denied entry. According to his post, staff then cited a different reason, stating that all guests needed to be booked under the same name.
“When our female friend, who also had a valid ticket, said she was with us, she was told to leave too, with yet another excuse: ‘It has to be under the same booking name’. The excuses kept changing,” Monteiro wrote.
He alleged that the reasons given for refusing entry were inconsistent and shifted repeatedly. Monteiro also claimed that he and others overheard staff members instructing security personnel not to allow Indians into the venue.
“We heard them say, ‘Don’t let any Indians enter’,” he wrote, stating that this reinforced their belief that the group was being excluded on racial grounds.
In his post, Monteiro further alleged that other Indian visitors experienced similar treatment at the club on the same day. He claimed that several Indian couples and groups were turned away using comparable explanations, and that one couple was allegedly told by staff that they “don’t look good enough for the club”.
According to Monteiro, when the group attempted to raise the issue with the club’s management, the situation escalated further. He claimed the manager declined to engage in any discussion, photographed their tickets, cancelled the bookings immediately, and instructed the group to leave the premises.
“When we approached the manager, he refused to answer any questions. He took photos of our tickets, cancelled them on the spot, did the same to our female friends, and forced us to leave immediately and wait for a refund,” Monteiro wrote.
The Instagram post included screenshots that appeared to show booking confirmations, a payment receipt of 12,000 Thai baht for entry, followed by a cancellation notice and a refund confirmation issued subsequently. Monteiro stated that the issue was not related to dress code, arrival time or venue rules.
“This has nothing to do with rules, timing, or dress code. This was targeted, open racism against Indians,” he wrote.
The allegations prompted a public response from Yona Beach Club, which denied any discriminatory intent. Replying in the comments section of the post, the club said it rejected the accusation of racism.
“We respectfully disagree with this allegation of racism. The Indian community is among the most represented on board, and we are proud of this, as well as of the international diversity of our guests,” the statement said.
The club added that it regretted the distress caused but maintained that its policies were unrelated to race or nationality.
“We understand your disappointment and regret that this situation has caused concern. However, allegations of racism are serious and should be approached with care,” the club said.
It further stated that its entry policies form part of its crowd management practices, which may change depending on seasonal factors.
“Our policy is part of our crowd management strategy and may vary depending on the time of year. Its sole purpose is to maintain a balanced male-to-female ratio on board and it is not based on race or ethnicity,” the club added.
Monteiro, in subsequent remarks, encouraged others who said they had faced similar treatment at the venue to share their experiences publicly. In his post, he urged people who felt they had been denied entry, treated unfairly, or humiliated at the club to document their experiences and leave reviews online, stating that collective accounts were important to ensure the matter received attention.
The claims made by Monteiro and the group could not be independently verified by Moneycontrol.com.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
