A commotion erupted at Wat Rong Khun as a Taiwanese tourist clashed with a Thai visitor over the no-stopping photography rule at the "Bridge of Samsara," concluding amicably at the police station with both parties agreeing to pay damages and fines.
On 22 Jan 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that a roughly 12-second video clip circulated on social media and Line groups showing a disturbance near the Bridge of Samsara, or the bridge leading to the White Ubosot within Wat Rong Khun, Pa O Don Chai Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province. The bridge is a masterpiece by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. The clip shows a man and woman fighting amid a crowd of shocked tourists surrounding them.
Upon investigation, the incident occurred in the afternoon of 15 Jan 2026 GMT+7. It began from a misunderstanding between Taiwanese tourists and a group of Thais from other provinces. The bridge is a designated no-stop photo zone to maintain order and prevent crowding. However, language barriers and the desire to take souvenir photos led to disputes escalating into physical altercations.
Mr. Narongchai Theptan, 54, owner of Sala Luang Pho To shop in front of Wat Rong Khun, commented that the incident was highly inappropriate. He explained that the temple is a sanctuary, and the hot weather combined with the bridge’s representation of a fiery hell could unsettle visitors who lack strong composure, causing tempers to flare. As hosts, they should remain calm and smile since Wat Rong Khun is a world-class site. Negative news would harm its tourism image.
After the incident, temple security quickly intervened and took both parties to Chiang Rai City Police Station for legal proceedings. Police said that after negotiations, both sides calmed down and acknowledged the incident stemmed from misunderstanding without intent for serious harm. The case was resolved with both agreeing to compensate damages and pay fines, apologizing to each other before parting, thus peacefully settling the matter.
Mr. Narongchai added that the "Bridge of Samsara" is a specially controlled area with multilingual signs warning tourists not to stop for photos for safety and accident prevention due to the narrow and elevated walkway. The temple confirmed this was an isolated incident that did not affect its overall operations or tourism atmosphere. They requested tourists’ strict cooperation with rules to maintain orderliness at the site.