File photo for reference only

Tourists in Chiang Mai faced backlash for sunbathing outside Wat Ratchamonthian on January 7, 2026. Photographs of the incident were shared on the Facebook page “Expose Chiang Mai V2,” sparking criticism for cultural insensitivity. The images showed foreign women in bikinis, lounging near the temple moat.

The Facebook page emphasized that the behavior contradicted Chiang Mai’s cultural norms. It pointed out that one tourist’s posture was especially disrespectful, with her feet directed toward the temple, a serious cultural faux pas in Thailand. The post questioned whether the tourists had made any effort to understand local customs before visiting such a sacred area.

The page administrator, identifying as “Admin Mana,” captured the images on January 5 while driving through Chiang Mai. Mana expressed concern over the tourists’ actions, highlighting the city’s deep cultural and religious roots. The post, intended as a cautionary message to tourists and authorities, quickly gained traction and widespread agreement among users.

Mana intended the post to serve as a reminder for tourists to respect local traditions and for authorities to monitor public spaces more closely. The incident underscores the continuing challenge of balancing tourism with cultural respect in such historically rich locations, reported Khaosod.

Key Takeaways

• Foreign tourists in Chiang Mai received criticism for sunbathing near a temple.

• The behavior contradicted Thai cultural norms, prompting calls for increased awareness.

• The incident highlights the need for tourists to respect local traditions.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2026-01-07

 

 

Where are the photos of the girls in bikinis?

It's OK, I found them ........

How dare they.. Coyote dancing on the temple premises is allowed, but sunbathing near a temple in bikini... how dare they.. No copulating moves and sexy dressed dancers that is no problem

12 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

How dare they.. Coyote dancing on the temple premises is allowed, but sunbathing near a temple in bikini... how dare they.. No copulating moves and sexy dressed dancers that is no problem

No, coyote dancing is explicitly banned in public places, particularly near Buddhist temples in Thailand. 

@Nick Carter icp

That's true, but why let the facts get in the way of a little gratuitous Thai-bashing?

Didn't this exact same thing happen a year or two ago?

8 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

No, coyote dancing is explicitly banned in public places, particularly near Buddhist temples in Thailand. 

as many things in Thailand nobody cares and do as they want as there is no enforcement of any law.. Have been several times to a party on temple compounds for a monk ordination and I have seen the coyote dancing on the stages by myself, even the partygoers participated...and I have never seen any policeman there... and I think I am open minded, but in my opinion I thought it was inappropriate, but everybody had fun and I am just a farang,,, so let them do

If this is all the locals have to worry about, they are very lucky !

11 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Where are the photos of the girls in bikinis?

It's OK, I found them ........

Dressed like that....

What is the point of wearing anything?

I don't mind the look.

But, nowhere near a temple, is better.

On the other hand:

Those girls are just SO VERY WHITE.....

Could anyone blame them for wanting to be a bit darker?

I mean: Men here in Thailand prefer golden brown.

These girls are just too white.

They know that they are at a very great disadvantage, just due to their lack of color.

However, even if they became darker, not many here would prefer them....

No matter what they might do.

Probably sunbathing and tanning still will not fix their wagons.

If Thailand want to ban this cultural unacceptable behavior, stronger sanctions shall be made. just deport them to their own country, holiday over. that will be a strong enough warning for future sunbathers.

Chiang Mai has become one of the most cringe places in Thailand because of all these white female travelers. The need to make special tourist zones so these people can get their "local experience" and consume the culture for their instagram but not infect the rest of the country with their yoga pants and oat milk lattes.

"...Mana intended the post to serve as a reminder for tourists to respect local traditions..."

Not too much to ask, is it?

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

a reminder for tourists to respect local traditions

"local traditions" such as bribing officials...

If Thailand wants tourist dollars, it has to learn to accept tourist culture.

How’s that Burger King I said about 2:30 in the afternoon I see three older monks and one I wanna call him the servant monk cause he was waiting on them hand and foot with the driver and they stood in front of me so I watched the water they ordered so much food for the driver I could barely barely see the table that he had all the food on the monks himself were smacking down whoppers like they were candy bars I saw one had to cut in half and he was eating out of one hand and the other hand at the same time talk about outrage 2:30 in the afternoon the monks are having a party at Burger King TIT

Some temples restrict access, particularly during prayer times. Temples that pimp themselves out as tourist cash-cows need a little thicker skin. A security guard to remind tourists of Temple etiquette might help.

One thing is certain: something must be done to alleviate the suffering of all the outraged netizens 😉

And of course there were signs all over the place stating no sunbathing!!!!

These girls for sure do the same in their home country on some green gras near a christian church.

5 minutes ago, xn47140 said:

These girls for sure do the same in their home country on some green gras near a christian church.

Not!

34 minutes ago, RandolphGB said:

If Thailand wants tourist dollars, it has to learn to accept tourist culture.

Endure it.

But, never accept it.

NEVER accept the unacceptable.

Ok..not appropriate behaviour, in Thailand, but, were they actually on temple grounds, I'm also surprised no thais confronted them.

9 minutes ago, Zack61 said:

Not!

Correct.

If they tried this stunt at a church in Baptist country....then....

They would be tarred and feathered.

And, probably, ridden out of town on a rail...which....

By the looks of them....

Riding out of town on a rail might be, for them...

A source of pleasurable stimulation.

That white women wanting to sunbathe in a country where the average temperature exceeds 30 degrees seems very natural to me. Moreover, they are doing it outside a temple, not inside so were is the problem?

1 minute ago, Look Chang said:

That white women wanting to sunbathe in a country where the average temperature exceeds 30 degrees seems very natural to me. Moreover, they are doing it outside a temple, not inside so were is the problem?

Here.

Here is one problem, among many....

Melanoma

Sweat wearing generation. Kick them out.

a) explain all those monks and novices in the afternoon roaming shopping centres with wads of cash snooping around in mobile phone shops
b) explain monks and novices eating after 12pm
c) explain drunk monks at Buddhist ceremonies like housewarming or car blessing events

Get your act together. Set up sign boards in English explaining decent dressing in/around a Buddhist compound and tourists will adhere to that. There is no benefit nor need for visitors to go against such requests involving cultural issues.

Alternatively, tighten the visa regulations further in such a way, that not a single dirty Farang shows up here anymore and you can have your temples and compounds all to yourself. Tourists have many alternatives to Thailand while Thailand, having run out of quality tourism long time ago, is dealing with the content of the lower if not lowest step on the tourism ladder. Beware, once they are gone they will not come back and yes, surprise, surprise, there is a lot of competition for this tourism money literally anywhere.

Drinking and playing casino after every thai funeral I've ever attended, monks regularly getting caught having relationships, monks being found drunk or high on meth. Festivals being held on temple grounds with female dancers wearing just as many clothes as these girls. How are visitors supposed to be fully aware of the etiquette if the whole Buddhist clergy are clueless of what's happening at temples all around thailand

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

File photo for reference only

Tourists in Chiang Mai faced backlash for sunbathing outside Wat Ratchamonthian on January 7, 2026. Photographs of the incident were shared on the Facebook page “Expose Chiang Mai V2,” sparking criticism for cultural insensitivity. The images showed foreign women in bikinis, lounging near the temple moat.

The Facebook page emphasized that the behavior contradicted Chiang Mai’s cultural norms. It pointed out that one tourist’s posture was especially disrespectful, with her feet directed toward the temple, a serious cultural faux pas in Thailand. The post questioned whether the tourists had made any effort to understand local customs before visiting such a sacred area.

The page administrator, identifying as “Admin Mana,” captured the images on January 5 while driving through Chiang Mai. Mana expressed concern over the tourists’ actions, highlighting the city’s deep cultural and religious roots. The post, intended as a cautionary message to tourists and authorities, quickly gained traction and widespread agreement among users.

Mana intended the post to serve as a reminder for tourists to respect local traditions and for authorities to monitor public spaces more closely. The incident underscores the continuing challenge of balancing tourism with cultural respect in such historically rich locations, reported Khaosod.

Key Takeaways

• Foreign tourists in Chiang Mai received criticism for sunbathing near a temple.

• The behavior contradicted Thai cultural norms, prompting calls for increased awareness.

• The incident highlights the need for tourists to respect local traditions.

Related Stories

Wild Elephant Damages Temple Kitchen After Failing to Find Food

Japanese Man's Temple Drama: Plea for Cleansing Causes Stir

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2026-01-07

 

 

I agree. While it looks like they could all desperately use some sun, go somewhere else. I'm curious as to why they would want to bask in the sun at a temple to begin with? Hit up an empty field at the Chiang Mai zoo or something.