4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

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

I too have often seen scantily clad young women dancing in a sexy manner on stage in temple grounds. Don't remember a single person being offended. Seems that it is Ok if it is Thai women showing some flesh.

1 hour ago, Aussie999 said:

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

the article said they were by the canal near the temple not at the temple or on temple grounds. If the page admin wanted to get the message out about the behavior being questionable why didnt he stop and talk with them?

they are jealous of the local girls and need to get a little tan to attract the boy's i mean men.

17 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Where are the photos of the girls in bikinis?

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

A sign of complete ignorance of thai culture!

Saw a tiktok the other day of a young Brit who was stating Thais don't mind farlang tourists wandering streets, malls, etc shirtless - WRONG! He'd probably been here a week or two and considered himself an expert on local culture.

Maybe it's time to handout a pamphlet on Thai culture, do's and dont's, by immigration officers when being stamped in to the country.

3 hours 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?

Inside the temple there are Thai women to help the monks .........How many times could we not read that???

Seems a lot of comments are looking at this from a western viewpoint and not a thai viewpoint as should be the case.

This has to be BS story. No one is that stupid....well maybe someone that does not realize or recognize the culture they are living in!

7 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

What's the issue with this image?

The monks aren’t behaving inappropriately—they’re not drunk, they’re dressed appropriately, they’re seated apart from others, and they seem to be conducting themselves respectfully.

In Nakhon Sawan, there’s a large university dedicated solely to monks. They’re young individuals and, like anyone else, they have free time. So why shouldn’t they enjoy some fast food, as long as it’s within the acceptable time frame of 11 AM to noon?

Also, this image doesn’t even seem relevant to the article in question.

21 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Where are the photos of the girls in bikinis?

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

Is the one on the left topless?

Can you get it from a different angle? 😂

"Tourists in Chiang Mai faced backlash for sunbathing outside Wat Ratchamonthian on January 7, 2026."

I'm sure these tourists are unaware of these negative reactions because no one has told them! Most Thais don't confront or complain in front of others.

And for sure no Farang read the Facebook page of this guy!

2 hours ago, Bredbury Blue said:

Seems a lot of comments are looking at this from a western viewpoint and not a thai viewpoint as should be the case.

The Thai view is only convenient for Thais if they don't like things or when it is convienent for Thais. Monks can't be involved in parties. Why are thete so many parties on temple compounds for example. Monks are not allowed to smoke. How many monks are smoking? Buddhism is not about gossip and lotterynumbers. How many monks, temples or things are used to get lucky numbers and how many monks don't give numbers. And many more. That is Thai viewpoints about Buddishm..but if tourists do something a few conservative people don'tvlike it must go viral, but there is no idea about Western tourists and what theyvdo and expect on an expensive holiday. Foreigners are all rich they think and come to destroy the Thai culture. But Thai don't have an idea that tourists work alot to pay for a relaxing holiday. Thailand will be less and less attractive as there is no will to accept different holiday ideas.

18 hours 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

I think you don't know anything.🫣

Gosh. They were "criticised". Not beaten up, not arrested, not fined, not even shouted at. How awful to be criticised like that!

26 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

The Thai view is only convenient for Thais if they don't like things or when it is convienent for Thais. Monks can't be involved in parties. Why are thete so many parties on temple compounds for example. Monks are not allowed to smoke. How many monks are smoking? Buddhism is not about gossip and lotterynumbers. How many monks, temples or things are used to get lucky numbers and how many monks don't give numbers. And many more. That is Thai viewpoints about Buddishm..but if tourists do something a few conservative people don'tvlike it must go viral, but there is no idea about Western tourists and what theyvdo and expect on an expensive holiday. Foreigners are all rich they think and come to destroy the Thai culture. But Thai don't have an idea that tourists work alot to pay for a relaxing holiday. Thailand will be less and less attractive as there is no will to accept different holiday ideas.

If you don't understand why women in bikinis outside a wat is not offensive to Thai people, then you do not understand Thailand.

1 hour ago, ujayujay said:

I think you don't know anything.🫣

Indeed I know nothing and will never understand Thai people...always looking for others and are prrfect themselves..nothing to blame on them

Mana could not pull over and tell the girls that this was inapropriate ?

More interested in shaming them and get more views on wherever ?

Shame on Mana!

10 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

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.

Quite the opposite actually.

Look at all of the actors/singers on TV all extra white as it is seen as a sign of beauty in Thailand, that is a basic fact with Thai people, you have got it completely wrong.

It is the same with news readers and TV presenters, Miss Thailand etc all white.

Most Thais prefer white skin, the educated wealthier ones have a choice on their partner, the poor Thais so not.

It is a bit similar to farangs really, most it seems can only get ex bar girls and then pretend they prefer dark skin.

They are worshiping - the sun. Nothing wrong with that.

Maybe if a few more thais were proficient in English, and not so damn shy with strangers / paranoid about the losing face stuff.... Someone would have walked up and casually said "look girls you'd probably better find somewhere smarter to sun yourself"

Personally if you in a g-banger in a public park in some land locked city in my home country you'd get a few looks... Maybe it's a euro thing with all those beachless countries

2 hours ago, Bredbury Blue said:

If you don't understand why women in bikinis outside a wat is not offensive to Thai people, then you do not understand Thailand.

The article said they were by the canal near the temple not at the temple or on temple grounds.

Personally, I think the girls clearly lacked judgement and should be savvy enough to understand what the local cultural expectations are. I certainly do when I travel to a non-Western country and I cringe when I see men walking around shirtless, for example

But come on...there's double standards abound in Thailand. Thai Buddhism is certainly "flexible" when it comes to what is allowed or not and farang are judged more strictly.

As for monks eating in Burger King....since when is that compliant with their vows?! I read "Phra Farang" and the dubious nature of Thai Buddhism gets coverage - part of the reason the author became disillusioned with it for a while.

23 hours 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

I dont understand why would they even think that is a good place to sunbath!

They need a gym membership and some toner on those bleached out mops. Probably a hot oil treatment while they're at it

21 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Dressed like that....

What is the point of wearing anything?

I don't mind the look.

But, nowhere near a temple, is better.

I'm sure you don't mind the look and nowhere near a temple is better but they probably didn't know where you live.

9 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

Quite the opposite actually.

Look at all of the actors/singers on TV all extra white as it is seen as a sign of beauty in Thailand, that is a basic fact with Thai people, you have got it completely wrong.

It is the same with news readers and TV presenters, Miss Thailand etc all white.

Most Thais prefer white skin, the educated wealthier ones have a choice on their partner, the poor Thais so not.

It is a bit similar to farangs really, most it seems can only get ex bar girls and then pretend they prefer dark skin.

Actually there are darker skinned Thai actors and actresses. They play the poor people.

On 1/8/2026 at 4:48 AM, HappyExpat57 said:

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

Probably so.

It's a fairly regular occurrence in Thailand.

Some people shouldn't travel.

On 1/8/2026 at 8:26 AM, NorthernRyland said:

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.

Agreed; they also tend to be hardcore liberals, which is even more cringeworthy, considering liberalism is going out of fashion worldwide.

9 hours ago, kimamey said:

Actually there are darker skinned Thai actors and actresses. They play the poor people.

Exactly, you have reenforced my point completely.

But the leading actors have to be white skinned.

On 1/7/2026 at 6:37 PM, 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

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2026-01-07

 

 

As they were outside the temple they probably did not know they were in the wrong, they were tourists and probably forgot to read the rules and regulations book of Thailand.

How many Thais have we seen in the UK for example who eat with their mouths open or even talk with their mouths full, that is a sign of disrespect too.

Eat with their fingers instead of a knife and fork, the list goes on, do we complain about that and post pictures on ArseBook etc?

If tourists have to follow local rules does it mean they should also jump queues, attempt to run people over on zebra crossings each time they drive, drive through red lights. 😃

On 1/8/2026 at 6:19 AM, ikke1959 said:

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

don't forget all the drinks one could get at them temple-parties!

On 1/8/2026 at 9:53 AM, fanof3d said:

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.

They couldn't afford the hotels in the south, but wanted that sun kissed glow and selfies in two pieces. I can't wait to see them luxurianting in the Chiang Mai moat.