Chiang Mai ancient wall climber sparks local outrage

A female tourist has faced significant criticism from local residents after being filmed climbing onto the ancient city walls at the historic Si Phum Corner in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to take photographs. Witnesses reported seeing the woman sitting on the edge of the centuries-old brick structure with her legs hanging over the side, several meters above the ground.

Local residents expressed dual concerns regarding personal safety and the preservation of cultural heritage. They noted that the woman risked serious injury from a fall and warned that climbing on the old brickwork could dislodge materials and damage the stability of the monument. The wall is considered a vital historical landmark for the province.

Following the incident, community members have called on the Fine Arts Department, Chiang Mai Municipality, and Tourist Police to increase monitoring at the site. Residents also requested the installation of multilingual warning signs, specifically in English and Chinese, to prevent similar occurrences and protect the city's cultural heritage and tourism reputation.