"Almost Naked" Tourists Outrage Thai Temple With Out-of-Line Behavior

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\r\n[The Financial News] A famous temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand has issued a strong warning over tourists' inappropriate behavior. The temple announced that if visitors continue to practice yoga in overly revealing outfits or climb on historic structures, it may permanently close its doors to tourists.
According to reports on the 21st from the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and other foreign media, Wat Pha Rat Temple in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand posted a notice on a social networking service (SNS) on the 15th, calling on visitors to stop their disrespectful behavior.
SCMP reported that the notice included a photo of "an almost naked white woman" performing acro yoga — a combination of yoga and acrobatics — with a male partner.
Wat Pha Rat Temple is a sacred space where monks meditate. However, it has recently been struggling with inconsiderate behavior by tourists. Visitors have been seen doing acro yoga, climbing ancient structures, and wearing highly revealing clothing.
The temple stressed, "Wat Pha Rat is a Buddhist temple and a sacred sanctuary, not an amusement park or a gym."
It went on to warn that if such disrespectful acts continue, the temple will have no choice but to permanently close to all tourists. It also added that wearing swimsuits and causing loud noise are strictly prohibited.
The announcement has drawn support from local residents.
One online user pointed out, "The only people who wear highly revealing clothes at temples are tourists. Locals do not dress like that." Another commenter noted, "When you travel, you should dress and behave in line with local rules."
There are established etiquette and dress codes that visitors must follow when entering temples in Thailand. Clothing that exposes the shoulders or legs should be avoided, and in stricter sites, tight-fitting outfits are also banned.
Inside temples, visitors are expected to remain humble, speak softly, and keep their mobile phones on silent mode.
Visitors must also be careful with body language. Stretching one’s feet toward Buddha statues or monks is considered highly disrespectful.
Earlier this month, controversy flared after photos spread online showing four white women sunbathing in bikinis outside a temple in Chiang Mai. In 2017, two American tourists were detained during departure procedures after sharing photos of themselves baring their buttocks at a famous temple in Bangkok; each was fined 150 United States dollars (USD), or about 220,000 won.
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hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter