KRABI — National Park officials in Krabi province have fined a Chinese tourist who washed her feet in a restroom sink, an act deemed highly offensive in Thai culture.

Chaiyathat Boonphoopantanti, director of the Pi Pi Islands National Park, said the tourist was fined 1,000 baht in accordance with National Park regulations.

The incident followed a spike in complaints after photos of Chinese tourists washing their feet in the park's restroom sinks circulated on social media. The photos were widely condemned by Thais, who consider it offensive to put 'dirty' feet near a space where people wash their faces.  

Chaiyathat told Khaosod today that officials held a meeting with tour guides and asked them to discuss Thai cultural norms surrounding feet with their Chinese clients. The tour guides then suggested officials post visible signs in restrooms instructing tourists not to wash their feet in the basins, Chaiyathat said. 

The signs were posted on the wall directly above the sinks. 

"But less than an hour after officials put up the sign, a female Chinese tourist entered the restroom, lifted up her foot, and washed it in the basin, without any regard for the sign at all," the park director said. "So the officials photographed the incident and contacted the tour guide of the tour group." 

Chaiyathat added that officials will remain vigilant to prevent any further incidents of feet washing. 

Thailand has seen a sharp rise in the number of Chinese tourists in recent years. In 2014, over 4.5 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand. Approximately 600,000 Chinese tourists arrived during the "Golden Week" of Chinese New Year in February alone, generating more than 6 billion baht in tourism revenues, according to data compiled by Tourism Authority of Thailand. 

However, some Thais have complained that Chinese visitors are insensitive to local customs. 

Last month, a video of a suspected Chinese tourist kicking a sacred bell at a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai province drew criticism on social media. Another temple in Chiang Rai province also announced that it would construct a separate restroom solely for Chinese tourists because some Chinese visitors made the existing toilet unusable. 

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BANGKOK – An anti-coup march that was supposed to last three days ended an hour after it began this morning when police intervened and detained one of the organizers.

The walk, organized by the anti-coup group Resistant Citizens, was scheduled to start on 14 March in Bangbuathong district and end on 16 March at Pathumwan Police Station. 

The group invited the public to join the 50-km walk and show solidarity with four activists who are due to report to the police station on 16 March for violating the the junta’s ban on protests by staging a pro-democracy rally last month.

At 8:30 this morning, police arrested one of those activists, Pansak Srithep, who had started walking in Bangbuathong district at around 7 am. He said he planned to stop at the pedestrian bridge in front of Thai Rath newspaper headquarters, where pro-democracy taxi driver Nuamthong Praiwan hanged himself in October 2006 to protest the 2006 military coup.

Pansak was taken by five police officers to Pathumwan Police Station and interrogated by Pol.Lt.Gen. Amnuay Nimmano, commander of First Region Police. 

Pol.Lt.Gen. Amnuay said Pansak's walk was a political activity that violated the junta's ban on protests.

"It has dishonest intention and a political implication, because he was arranging the walk beforehand, and there was a plan to hold activities near the spot where Nuamthong Praiwan died," Amnuay said. "Therefore it's a political activity that has not been approved by the NCPO. It could cause chaos in the country."

Police say they have not pressed any charges against Pansak, who was released later in the evening. 

Speaking to reporters afterward, Pansak said he did not understand why police had to detain him because he did not break any laws. 

"The officers at Pathumwan police station recognized me. They asked me why I came here today, because they didn't have any appointment with me today," said Pansak, who is the father of a 17-year-old student shot dead during the military crackdown on Redshirt protesters in May 2010.

Around 10 student activists later arrived at the police station to show support for Pansak. 

After a negotiation with the police, Pansak's group agreed to cancel the activity at Thai Rath headquarters, and only read a statement to reporters at Pathumwan Police Station in the evening instead.

Pansak went to the Crime Suppression Division at around 5 pm today to file charges of illegal detention against the police officers who detained him today.

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BANGKOK — His Majesty the King's departure from Siriraj Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for the past five months, was abruptly cancelled today.

Officials at the Royal Household Bureau notified reporters at news agencies in Bangkok this morning that King Bhumibol would be leaving the hospital and returning to Suan Chitralada Palace, his official royal residence in Bangkok, at 6 pm today. 

The 87-year-old monarch has been residing at Siriraj Hospital since October 2014, when he was admitted with a fever. He later underwent surgery to remove his gallbladder, palace officials said.

After news about his appearance was reported on a number of media sites, crowds of well-wishers lined the roads between Siriraj Hospital and Suan Chitralada Palace in hope of catching a glimpse of the royal motorcade.

Shortly before 6pm however, palace officials informed reporters that the King would not be leaving. They did not provide any explanation for the change of plan. 

In a similar incident, His Majesty was scheduled to appear at the Grand Palace on his 87th birthday on 5 December 2014, but the appearance was canceled due to health concerns. 

The king's frail health is a cause of anxiety for many Thais. The monarch is widely credited with bringing stability to the Kingdom during his more than 60 years on the throne.

BANGKOK — Security officers will closely monitor a weekend march organized by activists in Bangkok who are protesting the junta's suppression of civil rights, a spokesperson for the junta warned today.

"We will monitor [the march] closely," said Col. Winthai Suwaree. "If we find anything that violates the law, we will be required to take action."

Col. Winthai was referring to a three-day walk organized by the anti-coup group 'Resistant Citizens' that will begin in Bangbuathong district on Saturday. The group has invited the public to join them on the 50-km march to Pathumwan Police Station in Bangkok, where four of the group’s members must report for violating the junta’s ban on public protests last month.

A video promoting the march, called "I Walk Therefore I Am."

"We want to do an activity that reflects the concept that, if justice is not coming to us, we will walk to find it," said Pansak Srithep, one of the activists arrested on 14 February for organizing a pro-democracy demonstration. "I believe the activity will not violate martial law, because it's just walking to report to the police. If someone obstructs me, that will amount to an obstruction of justice." 

However, Col. Winthai warned today that the march may violate the junta’s ban on political protests.

"Based on the information I have received, tomorrow's activity may be considered a political act," said the spokesperson. "When country is under abnormal conditions, the state has to implement appropriate measures with the aim of restoring peace and order in society." 

One of the group’s main grievances is the trial of civilians in military courts, where military officers serve as judges and appeals are not permitted. After seizing power last May, the junta granted martial courts authority to try defendants charged with violating the junta's orders, lese majeste (insulting the monarchy), and other offenses that "threaten national security."

At least 60 civilians are currently facing trials in martial court for violating the junta’s ban on public protests.

Yesterday, ten activists from Resistant Citizens submitted a letter to the Criminal Court in Bangkok urging officials defend civil rights and cease trying civilians in military court. The group was led by Arnon Nampha, a human rights lawyer who founded Resistant Citizens and has represented activists charged with violating the junta’s ban on protests.

"In recent days, Mr. Arnon has displayed his lack of understanding and tried to create conditions [for chaos]," Col. Winthai said today.

He also dismissed the group’s complaint about martial court trials.

"If the accused is guilty based on complete evidence and witnesses' testimonies, the verdict will not be different regardless of what court delivers it," Col. Winthai said, adding that he believes majority of Thais understand the role of military courts under the current circumstances.