Police are on the lookout for a tourist, identified as a Chinese national, after he kicked a bell at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, drawing anger from locals on Thai social media.
A stillshot from YouTube footage shows a tourist, who police have confirmed to be a Chinese national, kicking a bell during his visit to the landmark Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai's Muang district.
The search, led by immigration police, began yesterday after a video clip of the insulting act at Chiang Mai's respected temple in Muang district was posted anonymously online.
In the short film, the man first posed for a photo with a row of bells before kicking one of the bells while laughing as he left the sacred grounds. "Officers are considering taking action based on the Immigration Act," said Immigration Division 5 chief Bandit Tungkhaserani.
He must be reminded of appropriate tourist behaviour, especially during visits to revered places like temples, Pol Maj Gen Bandit said. The man must also refrain from sacrilegious acts that offend Buddhists, he added. If he refuses or re-offends, police may have to resort to "banning him from future entry to Thailand", Pol Maj Gen Bandit said.
Police investigators are checking footage from security cameras and making inquiries with tourist companies and Chinese tour guides to identify the wayward tourist. They have also alerted authorities manning Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen border checkpoint in case the man is spotted with his tour group.
The man's behaviour has drawn heavy criticism on Thai social media. Observers say it is not the first time tourists have misbehaved at cherished religious sites in Southeast Asia.
Reports of tourists in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai relieving themselves in public prompted complaints.
In response, officials came up with a Chinese-language "etiquette manual" suggesting Chinese tourists on how to behave in Thailand.