CHIANG MAI – Thai Social media lit up after a well-known page shared photos of a group of young foreign women in bikinis sunbathing on the grass by the old city moat, close to Wat Ratchamonthian. The post said the scene was uncomfortable to see, as it happened right by a temple entrance in a busy public area.
In the images, the tourists are shown sitting and lying down on the lawn as traffic passes nearby. One woman was described as lying with her legs open, with her feet pointing towards the temple. Many locals saw this as disrespectful in a place that holds religious and cultural importance.
The Facebook page “แฉเชียงใหม่ V2” posted the photos on 7 January 2026, calling out the behaviour as inappropriate for Chiang Mai’s customs. The caption said cultural differences are real, but visitors should learn what’s acceptable before travelling, especially around temples.
The post quickly spread online and was shared widely. Most comments criticised the tourists’ actions and asked foreign visitors to dress and behave with more care in public spaces, particularly near places of worship.
The page admin said he saw the group at around 1.00 pm on Monday while driving through central Chiang Mai. He said he took the photos because he felt the behaviour didn’t suit the local culture. He shared the images as a reminder for tourists and a prompt for others to help keep an eye out for similar incidents.
He also said this sort of sunbathing in minimal clothing is being seen more often across public areas in Chiang Mai. In his view, many of those doing it are visitors from Europe or the United States. He added that while it may be normal in their home countries, it clashes with Thai social norms, especially around temples.
His message was simple: if you’re coming to Chiang Mai to travel or stay, take time to understand local traditions. Knowing what’s respectful and what isn’t helps everyone share the city comfortably.
Skimpy Bikinis Near Temples
Wearing skimpy bikinis (or any beachwear like tiny swimsuits) near or at temples is considered highly inappropriate and offensive in Thai culture. Bikinis expose far more than just shoulders and knees—they reveal the torso, cleavage, and often much of the legs and back, which directly violates modesty norms.
This applies especially to women, as cultural expectations of modesty can be stricter for them in religious contexts. Temples are not tourist photo ops in the same way as beaches; they’re active holy sites. Such attire is viewed as a lack of respect for Thai religious traditions and can cause discomfort or quiet disapproval among locals.
In Thai culture, deeply influenced by Theravada Buddhism, temples (known as wats) are sacred spaces for worship, meditation, and spiritual practice. Respect, modesty, and mindfulness are core values, and this extends to behavior and attire when visiting these sites.
