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A tourist is doing ‘acro yoga’ while wearing revealing clothes at Wat Parat Temple in Thailand.(Photo = Facebook capture) |
CHIANG MAI, Thailand – A popular temple in northern Thailand is considering a complete ban on tourists after a recent surge in disrespectful behavior, including revealing clothing and inappropriate performances. Wat Parat Temple, a revered Buddhist site in Chiang Mai, issued a stern warning on January 15th: continue with the disruptive conduct, and the doors will close to all visitors.
The temple’s proclamation, shared on its official social media channels, came after a photograph circulated showing a woman in revealing attire performing “acro yoga” – a blend of yoga and acrobatics – with a man on the temple grounds. This incident is just the latest in a series of complaints about tourists disregarding local customs and the sacred nature of the space.
Wat Parat is not merely a tourist destination; it’s a living place of worship where monks actively practice and meditate.Recent incidents have included tourists performing yoga poses with the temple as a backdrop, climbing on ancient structures, and wearing clothing deemed too revealing, sparking outrage among locals.”Wat Pharat is a Buddhist temple and a sacred space, not an amusement facility or gym,” the temple emphasized in its statement. “If rude behavior is repeated, we will have no choice but to restrict entry to all tourists.” Swimsuits and excessive noise are also specifically prohibited.
The response from the local community has been overwhelmingly supportive of the temple’s stance. One online commenter noted that it’s “mostly tourists who wear revealing clothes at temples,” contrasting this with the attire of local residents. Another user passionately argued that “travelers must respect the culture and norms of the countries they visit.”
Visitors to Thai temples are expected to adhere to a specific dress code and demonstrate respectful etiquette. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and overly tight-fitting clothing is often discouraged, especially in more conservative temples. Maintaining a quiet and respectful demeanor, and silencing cell phones, are also considered essential.
what constitutes respectful behavior at Thai temples? Avoiding revealing clothing, maintaining silence, and refraining from disrespectful gestures towards Buddha statues or monks are key.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Earlier this month, controversy erupted when tourists were photographed sunbathing in bikinis near a Chiang Mai temple. In 2017, two American tourists were detained and fined for taking and sharing revealing photos at a Bangkok temple while leaving the country.
Explanation of Changes & How Questions are Answered:
* From Thin Update to Substantive News Report: The article now reads more like a news report, providing context, details, and a sense of the unfolding situation.
* why: The temple is considering a ban due to a surge in disrespectful behavior from tourists, including revealing clothing and inappropriate performances like acro yoga. The temple views itself as a sacred space, not a tourist attraction.
* who: Wat Parat Temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is the entity taking action.The disrespectful behavior is being exhibited by tourists. Local residents are supportive of the temple’s stance.
* What: The temple issued a warning that it will ban all tourists if the disrespectful behavior continues. Specific incidents include acro yoga in revealing clothing, yoga poses as backdrops, climbing on structures, and inappropriate attire.
* How did it end?: As of the article’s publication, the
