Australian Tourists Caught Spray Painting Historic Temple Wall in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai police have located two Australian tourists who spray painted the wall of Dok Aeung Temple during the middle of the night on January 30th, which was captured on CCTV. The male tourist used a black spray paint can to deface the wall, while the female tourist kept watch, before they returned to their accommodation. The temple abbot used the evidence to file a police report. On February 6th, Police Major General Yuttana Kaenchan ordered the Chiang Mai Municipal Police to coordinate with tourism and immigration police to detain the two tourists - a 32-year-old male and 27-year-old female - while they were on a minivan returning from Pai, Mae Hong Son province. During investigation, both tourists confessed to the vandalism and were fined under the cleanliness law, required to pay damages, and their case will be forwarded to immigration police. The Chiang Mai Provincial Police warned tourists and citizens to respect local laws, customs, and religious sites, emphasizing that vandalism is a punishable offense with fines and compensation requirements.