The Chiang Mai branch of the Tourist Authority of Thailand says the booklet asks visitors to use public restrooms and not public spaces. The publication also instructs tourists who rent cars and motorcycles to adhere to local driving laws and also to drive safely.
Another key note in the leaflet tells visitors when they are visiting museums or temples they should not touch or deface exhibits or religious artefacts. Thai residents alleged Chinese tourists visiting for the New Year’s holiday last year had used Chiang Mai’s moat as an al fresco toilet.
At the famous Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) near Chiang Rai, officials banned Chinese visitors for a day after it was found they had supposedly trashed the onsite toilets. Reacting to news of the booklet being distributed to the 90,000 Chinese holidaymakers expected in Chiang Mai, governmental spokesperson Sansern Kaewkamnerd urged Thais to maintain their legendary spirit of hospitality.
North Thailand prints etiquette guide in Chinese
News in Asia
Authorities in Northern Thailand have this week been distributing manuals describing local etiquette to Chinese tourists coming to celebrate the advent of the Year of the Goat. The manuals are printed in Mandarin and designed to help visitors avoid making the cultural faux pas that has upset local residents in the past few years.