Tourists criticized for sunbathing in bikinis near Thai temple

On Jan. 7, netizens shared a series of photos posted by a local Facebook page, Exposing Chiang Mai V2, showing several young female tourists wearing bikinis while sitting and lying on the grass along the city moat near Wat Ratchamonthian temple.

Mana, the administrator of the page, said he witnessed the incident at around 1 p.m. on Jan. 5 while driving through the city center.

He noted that one woman in the group appeared to have her feet pointing toward the temple, an act widely regarded as disrespectful in Thai culture.

The page administrator said the photos were shared on social media as a warning and called on authorities to take note of the issue and prevent similar incidents in public spaces.

Many online commenters agreed, saying that while cultural differences exist, tourists should research local traditions and customs before visiting, particularly when near Buddhist temples and religious sites, Khaosod English news site reported.

Wat Ratchamonthian, located in downtown Chiang Mai, was built in the 19th century during the reign of King Rama V.

The temple is regarded as one of the area's important religious sites and is known for its historical, cultural, and architectural significance.

The temple is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with entrance fees of 50 baht for adults and 20 baht for children.