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

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Good thing they didn't touch the red fanta.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

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.

Get today's headlines by email

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.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaigov 4 July 2026

View full article

No fine ??? 500 Baht at least for the Police Man

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

He said the visitors appeared surprised after learning the significance of the object.

I'm not surprised that they were surprised. They've probably had no previous experience of such nonsense.

I thought it was illegal to film someone without there pomission

Without there permission Sorry for spelling mistake

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

No better place in the world to leave a spiritual offering than South Beach in Pattaya.

I hear thousands of "pilgrims" come every year for spiritual offerings on the beach.

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36 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

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

No better place in the world to leave a spiritual offering than South Beach in Pattaya.

I hear thousands of "pilgrims" come every year for spiritual offerings on the beach.

The offering was to ensure many 'customers'.

2 hours ago, pup1955 said:

I thought it was illegal to film someone without there pomission

Too bad they weren't having sex eh.

8 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

No fine ??? 500 Baht at least for the Police Man

No offence was committed, no police were involved, so no fine wasn't necessary.

12 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

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.

12 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The footage attracted widespread attention online, prompting discussion about local customs and respect for cultural traditions.

Got an apology, but still felt the need to post to sociable media for likes and "outrage."

8 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I'm not surprised that they were surprised. They've probably had no previous experience of such nonsense.

Such nonsense exists globally. Not limited to the beach in Pattaya.

We foreigners should be more aware of these things.

It's great to hear that the involved foreigners were decent enough to realise their mistake - a rare occurrence, knowing the high nosed type that creates an issue with their arrogance.

8 minutes ago, ravip said:

Such nonsense exists globally. Not limited to the beach in Pattaya.

We foreigners should be more aware of these things.

I agree to some extent, but who really studies the culture of the country they visit for a bit of sea and sand? A visit to an historical site, probably, but a beach?And a seemingly discarded coconut on the beach would not readily be identified as a spiritual symbol. But, as you say, nice how they responded when their error was pointed out to them.

How would the tourists know ? That too when it's some foolish falang foreign teen girlies who are busy taking selfies of themselves and showing their bxxbs at sunset ? But on the other hand it is rather extreme to film then and then rant out. Many locals forget in Thailand where the money is comming in from.

6 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

How would the tourists know ? That too when it's some foolish falang foreign teen girlies who are busy taking selfies of themselves and showing their bxxbs at sunset ? But on the other hand it is rather extreme to film then and then rant out. Many locals forget in Thailand where the money is comming in from.

So when the money flows, shut the eyes, ears and mouth?

Lovely advise indeed.

10 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I'm not surprised that they were surprised. They've probably had no previous experience of such nonsense.

Nonsense is probably the wrong word.

Sounds like you are not believing in these spiritual rituals of locals, which is totally fine.

But on the other hand, you have nearly a whole county of believers in these spiritual acts and rituals and you are doing them an injustice by saying it`s only nonsense.

Basically it`s disrespectful towards the country in which you are a guest off.

Oh the outrage.

Just a storm in a tea cup.

On a public beach.

Note to Thais. Next time "offer" a dildo and hopefully it will be used as a prop

2 hours ago, ravip said:

So when the money flows, shut the eyes, ears and mouth?

Lovely advise indeed.

Well, you don't bite the hand that feeds you, do you? 🙂

Why can’t they just place a shrine there and make it official, otherwise it just looks like abandoned food to the unaware.

47 minutes ago, Beat666 said:

Nonsense is probably the wrong word.

Sounds like you are not believing in these spiritual rituals of locals, which is totally fine.

But on the other hand, you have nearly a whole county of believers in these spiritual acts and rituals and you are doing them an injustice by saying it`s only nonsense.

Basically it`s disrespectful towards the country in which you are a guest off.

I'd say the same about anywhere. Especially religious beliefs and rituals which often totally contradict other religious beliefs and rituals (one demands hair never cut, another demands shaven heads etc). So all of them are nonsense and have no merit, except to make people feel good about themselves. I guess it gives them a grounding, a purpose of sorts, in their life.

3 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No offence was committed, no police were involved, so no fine wasn't necessary.

Maybe, but might still come, not impossible.

And if they did commit an offence, the police will be involved. So a 500 Baht fine still pending, Mr.

37 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

4 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No offence was committed, no police were involved, so no fine wasn't necessary.

Maybe, but might still come, not impossible.

But they didn't commit any offence so there's nothing "still to come".

I've scrolled through an entire page and not a single comment mentioned that they were Russians. Polite, respectful people. Had it been a negative story every comment would have piled on.

8 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

But they didn't commit any offence so there's nothing "still to come".

No offence? Who said that? The police? How do you know? You asked the police? Interesting

21 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I'm not surprised that they were surprised. They've probably had no previous experience of such nonsense.

Yes, very much a storm in a teacup and exhibits the number of busybodies we have looking for something to get bothered by.

Are the piles of trash left by the roadside by local tourists tidying their car offerings too!

Can't believe they apologized to that cretin and he still posted it online (of course).

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

No offence? Who said that? The police? How do you know? You asked the police? Interesting

No law was broken

11 hours ago, novacova said:

Why can’t they just place a shrine there and make it official, otherwise it just looks like abandoned food to the unaware.

Exactly.

It was a coconut under a tree.

It hardly looks like a proper shrine