AYUTTHAYA: Five Thai tourists climbing the ruins at Wat Mahathat for pictures have been charged and will be sent to court on Tuesday.
Five tourists climbing the base of Wat Mahathat in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district in Ayutthaya meet police to hear the charges on Monday.
Pol Col Surapong Thammapitak, the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya police chief, said on Monday the tourists reported at the police station in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district after the Fine Arts Department had filed two charges against them.
They allegedly posted a picture on Facebook showing themselves sitting and standing on the foundation of the ruins in the Ayutthaya historic park.
Two women -- Salilthip Kngow, Wiyanee Artharn -- and three men -- Yutthiwit Panthongpraset, Pornthep Wongchuen and Boworn Yupithak -- in the picture met the police and park director Sukanya Baonid at the police station to hear the charges of climbing historic sites which could cause damage and of showing inappropriate behaviours at historic sites.
Each count carries a fine up to 10,000 baht and/or a one-month jail term.
Pol Col Surapong said the tourists told police that the pictures were taken during their visit to the old capital on Jan 28.
All were temporarily released as they had no intention to flee and police will forward the case to the Ayutthaya Court on Tuesday, he added.
The five people also apologised to the public for the ignorance, according to the police.
The ruins are part of the Unesco World Heritage site in the former capital.