Chiang Mai temple roasted for charging foreigners to enter
There’s two-tier charging then there’s the next step of allowing Thais in for free and only charging foreigners. That seems to be the case when a Chiang Mai temple has been caught out charging a 50 baht fee, but only for foreigners.
A Facebook post from Aronong Silvestra claims he found the box at Wat Suwan in the Muang district of Chiang Mai. The box was in addition to the regular “donation box”.
The poster claimed that it was not appropriate for religious or cultural sites to charge foreigners as they were non-profit organisations allowing people to exercise their spiritual practices.
The Chiang Mai News said that many temples in Chiang Mai were now charging these entrance fees, but only to tourists.
Sawan Khwaenthaisong, a spokesperson at the temple, spoke in a Chiang Mai News video explaining why they charged 50 baht…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG14QEes_Ig
He said tourists were given a small bottle of water and an information leaflet. Also, those who came inappropriately dressed were given a sarong.
He said that every baht from the tourists would go to the upkeep of the temple.
SOURCE: Chiang Mai News
