Two foreign tourists have apologised after unknowingly using a coconut left as a spiritual offering as a photo prop on Pattaya Beach. A video of the incident, filmed by a local resident, has since gone viral on social media after highlighting a cultural misunderstanding rather than an act of deliberate disrespect.
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The incident emerged after a Facebook user shared a 45-second video showing the pair picking up a coconut that had been placed beneath a small tree along Pattaya South Beach before posing for photographs with it. The footage attracted widespread attention online, prompting discussion about local customs and respect for cultural traditions.
Reporters visited the location on July 2, and found that local residents regularly leave coconuts, sweets and red soft drinks beneath the tree as offerings to local guardian spirits. The spot is also well known as a popular location for both Thai and foreign tourists to take photographs.
According to Khaosod, the tourists were unaware that the coconut had been left as an offering and had no intention of causing offence. They simply used it as a photography prop while visiting the beach.
Wannachai, the 35-year-old man who recorded the video, said he had earlier noticed a group of four to five foreign tourists resting beneath the tree. After seeing one of them pick up the coconut and carry it onto the beach for photographs, he decided to record what was happening on his mobile phone.
Pictures courtesy of Khaosod
When the tourists returned, Wannachai used a translation application to explain that the coconut had been left as a spiritual offering. He said the visitors appeared surprised after learning the significance of the object.
The tourists apologised and said they had been unaware of the local custom. They also asked for forgiveness in Russian before returning the coconut to its original place beneath the tree.
Khaosod reported that the incident has drawn attention to the importance of understanding local traditions at popular tourist destinations. While the video attracted significant interest online, the exchange ended amicably after the misunderstanding was explained.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaigov 4 July 2026