There has been a call for Thai tourists to stop adhering gold leaf to an ancient prayer wheel at a temple in Hong Kong. A Thai tour guide‘s Facebook post drew attention to the unusual practice, suggesting that the temple’s authorities had said it was the work of Thai visitors.

 

The act of sticking gold leaf to the wheel is not a custom practiced by locals, sparking confusion among the temple staff as they were unfamiliar with the Thai tradition.

 

Twitter user @RedSkullxxx shared images from the said Facebook post, which showed a gold leaf stuck on the ancient prayer wheel at the Hong Kong temple. The caption indicated that the temple authorities had claimed that “Thais did it.”

Temple officials have asked for this behaviour to cease. Locals in Hong Kong do not adhere gold leaf to prayer wheels, especially those that are considered antique. However, Thai tourists bring their gold leaf to attach.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of Sanook

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-10-31

 

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Shows once more how little Thais know and care about other places, cultures, and traditions. They expect foreign tourists to respect theirs, preferably even be fluent in Thai, while they themselves won't even ask for permission to do such things abroad.

imagine how the person feels who has to scrap the gold leaf off 🤣. dreams dashed.

2 hours ago, JimTripper said:

imagine how the person feels who has to scrap the gold leaf off 🤣. dreams dashed.

 

Actually, if these ultra-thin sheets of gold were actually worth something, even in bulk, I suspect the temple may actually encourage it, rather than dissuade people from doing it.

The temple probably sells the gold leaf at the door.

2 hours ago, Dionigi said:

The temple probably sells the gold leaf at the door.

The clue is in the writing....

6 hours ago, webfact said:

However, Thai tourists bring their gold leaf to attach.

Ok,  so remove it and consider it a donation. 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Temple officials have asked for this behaviour to cease. Locals in Hong Kong do not adhere gold leaf to prayer wheels, especially those that are considered antique. However, Thai tourists bring their gold leaf to attach.

A simple sign should help educate Thais...

7 hours ago, webfact said:

A Thai tour guide‘s Facebook post drew attention

 

... This reads more like the tour-guide has a chip on his shoulder against Thai's and was looking for any opportunity to Thai-bash.

 

Edited October 31, 20232 yr by richard_smith237

Quote

However, upon investigation, it was found that Thai tour companies were advertising that anyone could spin the prayer wheel. If they booked a tour with their company, they could stick gold leaf on the prayer wheel for good fortune. This has raised concerns about the potential damage to the ancient artefact.

 

And the tour groups are run by who ???