15-7-2024 (BANGKOK) A picturesque resort town in northern Thailand has become the centre of controversy as local business owners clash with Western tourists over inappropriate behaviour and alleged rule-breaking. The tranquil atmosphere of Pai, nestled in Mae Hong Son province, has been disrupted by reports of public intoxication, indecent exposure, and trespassing.
The incident that brought these issues to light involved a Western couple who, under the influence of alcohol, allegedly trespassed on a resort property to engage in sexual activity. The resort operator, who wishes to remain anonymous, filed a police complaint following the brazen act of the inebriated pair.
According to the resort owner, her husband confronted the couple, asking them to leave the premises. In response, the intruders reportedly grabbed his smartphone, hurled it to the ground, and fled the scene. This confrontation has raised concerns about tourist behaviour and respect for local property and customs.
The root of the problem, as claimed by the resort operator, lies with the popular tubing activities along the Pai River. Despite explicit instructions from authorities to refrain from selling alcohol to participants, some tubing operators have allegedly circumvented these rules by disguising alcoholic beverages as soft drinks.
“Western tourists are drunk day and night,” the resort operator lamented. She described scenes of intoxicated individuals tubing from midday until 7 pm, then wandering through the town centre in various states of undress, much to the dismay of other visitors seeking to enjoy Pai’s natural beauty and cultural attractions.
This situation has created a stark contrast between the marketing efforts of the Mae Hong Son Tourism Office, which has been promoting tubing as a summer attraction, and the reality on the ground. The discord highlights the delicate balance that tourist-dependent economies must strike between attracting visitors and maintaining the local way of life.
