Ayutthaya temple vandalised, sparks online outrage

Ayutthaya’s Wat Mae Nang Pleum recently faced a shameful incident where a local teenager spray-painted a sign at the temple, which has become a popular tourist spot since the visit of celebrity Lisa from BLACKPINK. The act sparked widespread criticism online.

The incident took place at Wat Mae Nang Pleum in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, where the sign and letters of the temple were sprayed with red paint. Upon hearing of the vandalism, Thawiporn Pleumsati, the community president of Wat Mae Nang Pleum, took immediate action. The 67 year old brought thinner and a ladder to remove the spray paint from the stainless steel sign, which fortunately made the clean-up possible.

Thawiporn expressed his shock upon learning about the incident early in the morning and urged the youth to refrain from such behaviour.

“I don’t know when the young man in the picture came to spray paint the temple sign. I was shocked to hear the news this morning and want to remind everyone not to involve temples or religion in such acts.”

The community president added that the temple has not filed any charges against the teenager but hopes this incident serves as a lesson, highlighting the need for greater awareness about what actions are appropriate and what are not.

Wat Mae Nang Pleum gained significant attention when Thai K-pop sensation Lisa, visited the temple in June last year. The BLACKPINK star visit turned the temple into a hotspot, attracting numerous tourists who came to take photos and make merit. This surge in popularity has made the temple a significant cultural and religious site in Ayutthaya.

Despite the swift clean-up, the incident has sparked broader discussions about respect for religious sites and the impact of social media on the behaviour of youths, reported KhaoSod.

In related news, residents in Pattaya are calling for decisive action against vandals who have marred the city’s landscape with graffiti.