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Vandalism at Pha Son Rak Cliff in Lampangs Mae Mo Frustrates Caretakers Despite Warning Signs and Fines

Local31 Mar 2026 20:56 GMT+7

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Vandalism at Pha Son Rak Cliff in Lampangs Mae Mo Frustrates Caretakers Despite Warning Signs and Fines

Despite warning signs, a skilled vandal has carved names on the walls of "Pha Son Rak," a popular tourist destination in Mae Mo, Lampang Province. The site's caretaker is discouraged; even curses directed at the vandals have failed to deter them. They urge relevant authorities to investigate and arrange for cleaning.

This follows an incident widely shared online where a Facebook user posted photos and comments after visiting.The tourist attraction"Pha Hob" natural site inLampang Provincerevealed a shocking discovery: people have written their names across the cliff face, with some inscriptions reaching 2 to 3 meters high. Some vandals even persisted to reach these heights to carve, and some names includedclear home addresses.Although there are signs warning that writing on the rock walls will result in a 2,000-baht fine,violators still ignore the rules.This has prompted many to commentand criticizethe inappropriate behavior that destroys the tourist site's beauty.and scenic appeal.

Later, at 12:00 noon on 31 Mar 2026, Ms. Pimolpan Morchang, the Mae Mo district chief,Mae Mo District,Lampang Province, visited Pha Hob to inspect the situation. Initial checks at Pha Son Rak showed numerous markings made with paint or charcoal, mostly names—often couples' names—etched into the rock. Some inscriptions are more than 5 meters high, requiring climbing to reach.

Mr. Jennupong Promfong, 50, the site's caretaker, revealed that these inscriptions have been present long before he took charge. He has attempted to wipe them off with cloth but to no avail.Becausethe cliff rock retains moisture, over time the markings become firmly set and are difficult to remove.

He once posted a sign warning of a 2,000-baht fine for writing, but it was ineffective. Eventually, he posted a small sign with a curse, stating that couples who write on the cave walls would be separated for life, while those who behave well would have lasting love. After that, no one dared to write further. He now hopes relevant authorities will investigate and find ways to remove the vandalism, as it spoils the site's appearance. When tourists take photos, the graffiti looks unsightly and tarnishes the location's reputation. He appeals to those who commit such acts to stop, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable. Conservation tourism requires collective effort to protect nature.