Thais fume over tourists’ lack of ‘etiquette’ for sunbathing at holy sites: ‘how dare they?’

A photo of two women sunbathing in Sanam Luang, a public square that has hosted royal ceremonies, went viral over the weekend, attracting criticism from locals

Others blamed officials for failing to erect signs informing tourists that sunbathing is banned in Sanam Luang and the women should be forgiven for not knowing

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Two foreign tourists sunbathe in front of Bangkok’s Grand Palace in Thailand. Photo: Facebook/intanon.supply

Published: 4:44pm, 16 Jan 2024Updated: 7:36pm, 16 Jan 2024

Foreign tourists caught sunbathing in front of Bangkok’s Grand Palace and inside a Buddhist temple’s compound in the north of Thailand have left locals fuming at the visitors’ lack of “etiquette and decency”.

A photo of two women in bathing suits lounging in the sun in Sanam Luang, a public square that has hosted major royal ceremonies, went viral on social media over the weekend.

The act attracted criticism from locals and sparked accusations of inappropriate behaviour at the revered site.

“This is a holy place, not Patong beach. You should respect it,” said a Facebook user, referring to the popular resort town in Phuket.

Wrote another: “How dare they? They should know that it is not a place that allows sleeping around like this.”

Some wondered if the duo would behave the same way in front of Japan’s Himeji Castle or the Taj Mahal in India, rebuking them for “look down on Thais”.

The Sanam Luang State Park of Bangkok in Thailand. Photo: Shutterstock

“Nobody goes abroad and breaks the law of that country. Tell them that it’s not appropriate to do that in this place because Thai people view it as a sacred place,” commented a user.