Award Banner
Award Banner

'Very little culture': Thai-based American ranks Singapore the 'worst' out of 7 Asian countries he's visited

'Very little culture': Thai-based American ranks Singapore the 'worst' out of 7 Asian countries he's visited
PHOTO: Screengrabs/TikTok/Zakattackcalii

Having visited seven Asian countries in five months, TikTok user Zakattackcalii was clear which were his favourites.

Singaporeans may want to turn away right about now as our little red dot did not seem to leave a positive impression on the 18-year-old American at all.

In fact, Singapore was dead last in his ranking, which he shared in a clip posted last Sunday (May 26).

Zakattackcalii, or Zak, also compared Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea (this is the order of his ranking from first to last).

In all fairness, Zak provided a disclaimer that everything he shared in the video was based solely on his own personal experiences in each country.

Regardless, the Thailand-based teenager came in quite hard on Singapore and said it's not a country he'd recommend to travellers.

"There's nothing to do in Singapore except walk around and see a few things," he added.

While he noted that the people here were "nice", an unpleasant encounter with service staff at Marina Bay Sands left a sour taste in his mouth.

He felt that the country reminded him of Disneyland, because "everything in Singapore is perfect".

However, it also has "very little culture".

Zak urged those who are thinking of travelling to Singapore to instead consider Malaysia, which he ranked fourth. "It is very similar but 10 times better," he said.

Whether it's the food or culture, Zak seemed certain that Malaysia is simply a cut above.

Do Singaporeans agree with his assessment?

"I completely agree with everything you said about Singapore," one TikTok user said.

Even some netizens who claim they are Singaporeans admitted that they don't particularly rate their own country highly.

PHOTOS: Screengrabs/TikTok/Zakattackcalii

Other netizens, though, came to Singapore's defence.

A TikTok user commented that it may not be the best vacation destination, but is "definitely one of the best" places to live in.

Another offered to take Zak around if he visits Singapore again, in the hope it might change his impression.

PHOTO: Screengrabs/TikTok/Zakattackcalii

If not Singapore, then where? 

Zak, who confessed he prefers South-east Asian countries, would recommend Thailand and Laos to travellers.

He was captivated by Thailand's food, people and convenience, though he did not like the country's rampant level of pollution.

As for Laos, Zak was effusive in praising the South-east Asian nation, likening it to Thailand.

It helped that the people were "super nice" and, according to Zak, a must-do activity during a stay in Laos is to experience nature and visit the beautiful waterfalls found around the country.

ALSO READ: 'My actual hell': Australian tourist finds Singaporeans rude, declares he will never visit again

amierul@asiaone.com

No part of this story or photos can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.

For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.

homepage

trending

trending
    Former Malaysian PM Abdullah Badawi dies at 85
    'It almost exploded': Passenger recalls close call after Causeway Link bus catches fire on AYE
    'Ready and happy to make way for party renewal': Amy Khor to retire after 24 years as MP
    'Every Singaporean connects to the kopitiam': Eric Khoo and 6 local directors celebrate identity in SG60 film Kopitiam Days
    PM Wong addresses first-time voters ahead of GE, vows to work with youth to tackle future challenges
    'I don't have the luxury to just do things I love': Andie Chen gets real about balancing passion, finances and family
    Haidilao Singapore launches new seasonal menu, with live Miao ethnic dance performances for a limited time only
    US-China tariff war a major risk: Singapore slashes GDP forecast for 2025 to 0 to 2%
    Man finds shelter and job after being homeless for a year
    Huang Zitao sells out 50k feminine pad samples made in own 'transparent' factory
    This new American malt shop along Joo Chiat Road looks like it came straight out of a Wes Anderson film
    'We need more voices, more perspectives': Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh Nehal among new faces in WP volunteers video

Singapore

Singapore
    • 'We are here to defy the odds': PAP's Aljunied team acknowledges tough fight, eyes return after 14 years
    • 'I am a fighter': Criminal lawyer Marshall Lim, PAP's candidate for Hougang SMC
    • SG60 Baby Gift distribution kicks off: PM Wong pledges to do everything possible to support families
    • 'We ask for your support to continue in the next term': PM Wong to helm same team for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC
    • PAP's Lam Pin Min unveils team to contest Sengkang GRC, pledges to 'win back trust' of residents
    • GE2025: Victor Lye and Jasmin Lau seen with SM Lee Hsien Loong at Ang Mo Kio GRC
    • Van driver, 69, arrested for drink driving after crashing into 7 parked vehicles in Ang Mo Kio
    • Multi-agency committee set up to ease inconveniences for residents moving into new BTO flats
    • Billion-dollar nickel scam: Ng Yu Zhi spent $7m on luxury cars he gave to wife, girlfriends
    • GE2025: PSP set to contest Marymount, Kebun Baru and Pioneer SMCs

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Unreleased song by late Teresa Teng found in Japan, to be included in album this year
    • Former TVB actor Ku Feng dies aged 94
    • 'Cannot think of a better community of storytellers to tell our story': Local content announced to celebrate 'Singaporean-ness' for SG60
    • Hong Kong actor and former Olympian Alex Fong visits Singapore for T100 triathlon
    • Gossip mill: Vicki Zhao makes rare video appearance, Chinese drama slammed for using AI Dilraba Dilmurat, Nam Yoon-su accidentally reposts NSFW content
    • Jacob Elordi says Adolescence actor Owen Cooper was 'intimidating' on the set of Netflix's Wuthering Heights
    • Aimee Lou Wood says Saturday Night Live impersonation was 'mean and unfunny'
    • Gayle King nervous about heading into space
    • Brazilian DJ Alok fears visa removal for international artists in US
    • Josh Duhamel opens up about his love of living off-grid with family

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • From transport to co-living space: Sneak peek at Singapore's first MRT train hotel
    • Changi Airport reclaims World's Best Airport title in 2025, 13th time at top spot
    • Hello, Sunny! Simonboy announces birth of son, shares scary moment where 'we lost his heartbeat'
    • 140 coffeeshops in Singapore offering SG60 promotions and discounts, here's what to expect
    • MG takes aim at BYD with its new S5 electric SUV
    • Thailand celebrates its New Year with water festival
    • Time travel, Singapore style: 60 landmarks that have shaped the Lion City
    • How couples should structure property ownership in Singapore (before it gets messy)
    • Would you visit a 'floating' mosque? 4 unique mosques for your bucket list
    • Questions I wish I could ask my friends with kids

Digicult

Digicult
    • A $500 wake-up call: How the Samsung Galaxy Ring made me realise my stress
    • Monster Hunter Wilds producer explains how game has remained unique and fresh over 20 years
    • Google Pixel 9a: The best AI-centric phone under $800 in 2025?
    • Western intelligence agencies warn spyware threat targeting Taiwan, Tibetan rights advocates
    • Taiwan says China using generative AI to ramp up disinformation and 'divide' the island
    • Russian court fines Telegram app for refusal to remove anti-government content, TASS reports
    • One Beijing man's quest to keep cooking — and connecting with Americans — on camera
    • Nintendo Switch 2 to launch in June with US$449.99 price tag
    • Games in April: RPGs, racing and Ronaldo in a fighting game
    • Is it time to get a MacBook at a good price? The M4 MacBook Air says yes

Money

Money
    • Giant deal: Malaysian company to acquire Cold Storage and Giant supermarket chains in Singapore
    • Japan says no plan for big concessions in talks on US tariffs
    • Marina Bay Sands sees record earnings amid suite expansion, strong visitor demand
    • Tariffs on imported semiconductor chips coming soon, Trump says
    • Best fixed deposit rates in Singapore (April 2025): Minimum deposits from $500, rates up to 2.90%
    • 4 reasons new condos are launched at higher prices than you might expect
    • Best bank offers in Singapore (April 2025): Win a Lilo & Stitch-inspired Hawaii vacation, get up to 50% off flights, and more
    • Here are the biggest 3-bedroom condo units for under $2.1m in Singapore
    • Impact of tariffs on developing countries could be 'catastrophic', says UN trade agency
    • EU brainstorms on how to avert or brace for US tariffs as 90-day window opens

Latest

Latest
  • Daily roundup: PM Wong addresses first-time voters ahead of GE, vows to work with youth to tackle future challenges — and other top stories today
  • Cambodia deports unknown number of Taiwanese to China on fraud charges, Taiwan says
  • Greek urban guerrilla group claims attack on Hellenic Train
  • EU ministers adopt Iran sanctions over citizen detentions
  • China imposes visa restrictions on US personnel over Tibet issue
  • Malaysian PM Anwar says to meet Myanmar junta head in Bangkok
  • EU to boost financial support for Palestinian Authority
  • Indonesia arrests judge after palm oil companies cleared of graft charges
  • Philippines voices concerns on South China Sea during Asean-China negotiations

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Two men fight each other at Johor checkpoint over allegation of cutting queue, probe on
  • Ex-MP Lee Bee Wah introduces former MDDI director Goh Hanyan as potential candidate to Nee Soon residents
  • Robert Ng, son of late billionaire Ng Teng Fong, and 3 children to be designated as 'politically significant persons'
  • 'She should be with her family': Employer gives maid plane ticket, $800 to return to Myanmar and search for missing mum
  • 'He needed something to help him fight,' says man who bought Hokkien mee for dying patient
  • Thai woman struggles to evacuate during earthquake while her dog sleeps unfazed
  • Workers painting exterior of Geylang block discover man's skeletal remains in flat
  • 'New, younger' PAP team vows to reclaim WP-controlled Sengkang GRC, says Lam Pin Min
  • New face Jackson Lam 'very good on the ground' and will be asset to Parliament, says Shanmugam
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.