Foreign women sunbathing in front of Chiang Mai temple draws mixed reactions online

Social media users in Thailand have criticised a group of foreign women for sunbathing in bikinis near a temple along Chiang Mai’s city moat, after photos of the incident were shared by a popular local Facebook page.

On Jan 5, 2026, images posted by the page “Expose Chiang Mai V2” (แฉเชียงใหม่ V2) circulated widely among Chiang Mai residents. The photos show several young foreign female tourists sitting and lying on the grass inside the Chiang Mai moat, directly opposite Wat Ratchamonthian, while wearing bikinis.

Tourists’ behaviour disrespectful towards Chiang Mai’s cultural values

The page labelled the behaviour as inappropriate and inconsistent with Chiang Mai’s cultural values. It further alleged that one woman was lying with her legs open and her feet facing the temple, an act viewed as disrespectful in Thai culture, where feet are considered the lowest and most impolite part of the body.

In its caption, the page acknowledged cultural differences but questioned whether the tourists had made any effort to understand local customs, particularly given their proximity to a Buddhist temple. The post was shared extensively and attracted numerous critical comments, with many users agreeing that the behaviour was unsuitable and that visitors should respect local traditions.

The page’s administrator, who identified himself as “Admin Mana,” said he witnessed the scene at around 1pm on Jan 5 while driving through central Chiang Mai for personal errands. He described the tourists’ actions as inappropriate, especially in a city widely recognised for its strong cultural and religious heritage.

He added that he took the photographs and shared them online as a warning and reminder to foreign visitors, as well as to the relevant authorities, in hopes of preventing similar incidents in public areas.

Some netizens believe locals should advise the foreigners instead of secretly taking their photos

If someone can speak English, they could approach the tourists politely and explain the situation — they would likely understand. Alternatively, the authorities could put up signs around the city moat. Some tourists simply may not know.

Chiang Mai is trying to position itself as a tourism-focused province, but many locals still do not speak English well. When some Chiang Mai residents encounter tourist behaviour that differs from local norms, they secretly take photos and post them on Facebook.

However, Thailand has PDPA laws, and if taken seriously, these foreign tourists could hire lawyers and file lawsuits. Chiang Mai wants to be a tourist city that welcomes visitors, but the mindset of some locals still needs significant adjustment and greater openness.

Preserving culture and traditions should continue, and that is something to be admired — no one objects to that. But if the goal is to become a true tourism city, there needs to be better preparation, especially in terms of the local community’s mindset.

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