A monk at Wat Dok Ueang in Chiang Mai has called for decisive action against "foreigners" who secretly spray paint on temple walls, causing dirtiness and damaging the image of this tourist city. He complained that tens of thousands of baht have been spent repainting over the graffiti, yet the vandalism continues to occur. Similar incidents have been reported throughout the city. Meanwhile, police have dispatched patrol units to urgently track down the culprits.
On 4 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters learned that Phra Kru Palat Preeda Jaiboon, the abbot of Wat Dok Ueang in Chiang Mai, revealed CCTV footage showing a foreign man and woman spray-painting the temple's wall in Sri Phum Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District. The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. on 30 Jan. This footage was used as evidence to file a complaint with the Mueang Chiang Mai Police to pursue legal action against the foreign tourists involved.
Phra Apiphu Boonthalu, a temple monk, stated that the temple walls have previously been spray-painted with various designs and foreign-language inscriptions multiple times. The temple has spent tens of thousands of baht repainting over the graffiti, but the vandalism keeps recurring. He urged police to swiftly identify and prosecute the offenders as an example to prevent future incidents. Besides temple walls, similar acts have been found on residents' fences and shop doors across Chiang Mai, causing significant distress to the local community.
Chiang Mai city has a total of 38 temples, most of which are historic and worth preserving. Yet nearly every temple has been targeted by vandals who spray paint and deface them. Such acts not only create unsightly and dirty appearances but also affect the mental wellbeing of Buddhists and damage Chiang Mai's image, especially as the city seeks UNESCO World Heritage status.
A news team survey found that besides temple walls, fences, and shop doors, spray painting has also been illegally done on various government buildings across the city.
Recently, Police Major General Yutthana Kaenchan, Chief of Chiang Mai Provincial Police, ordered all patrol officers to tighten enforcement and urgently track down the offenders for prosecution to prevent repeated offenses and discourage copycat behavior.