Report Foreign Tourist Goes Viral for Unconventional Encounter with Naga Statue in Phuket

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Photo via Facebook/ Phuket Times ภูเก็ตไทม์

 

A foreign tourist has captured the attention of Thai social media users after being observed making a wish and kissing a Naga statue in Phuket. The incident quickly went viral, sparking amusement, curiosity, and debate among the locals and online community.

 

On June 16, the Phuket Times Facebook page shared images and a video of the man with the caption, "Kissing a Naga statue. He’s so into this! Superstitious foreigner. #ForeignersInPhuket.” The footage shows the man resting his hands on the statue's head, pausing to make a wish, and then leaning in to kiss it. While some viewers interpreted the gesture as a kiss, others speculated he was merely whispering his wish close to the statue's ear.

 

The post drew a mix of humorous comments from netizens. Some joked about the potential dangers of interacting with a Naga, while others saw it as a cultural misunderstanding, referencing the Western custom of cheek kissing. A few suggested the man might have connections to a Naga in a past life. Additionally, one commenter noted having seen a similar occurrence involving an Indian tourist posing on a sacred Naga statue in Krabi.

 

A Thai woman, who claims to own the Naga shrine in Soi Saen Sabai, Phuket, mentioned that foreign visitors often interact with the statues, usually out of curiosity. However, this was the first incident involving a kiss. She identified the man as someone who regularly experiences mental health issues and frequents a nearby cannabis shop. Despite her familiarity with the tourist, she didn't take offense, citing Phuket's status as a global tourist hub that draws a diverse crowd.

 

Highlighting the cultural significance, the woman stressed that the Naga statues hold profound supernatural importance in Thai culture, believed to grant wishes and bring good fortune, prosperity, and success in life. Traditional practices involve making offerings of incense and flowers, chanting mantras, and making wishes—but do not include physical contact like kissing.

 

She cautioned against disrespect, warning that such actions might lead to misfortune due to the Naga's sacred nature. Nonetheless, the incident underscores the intriguing interplay between cultural reverence and the often unique, sometimes perplexing encounters that arise in a vibrant tourist destination like Phuket.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-16