Thailand to clamp down on unruly tourists’ behaviour following public sex incidents

Thailand issued a statement on May 6 that it will tighten oversight of tourists’ behaviour, following a series of incidents involving foreigners caught having sex in public, which damaged the country’s image.

The statement came from the Thai prime minister's office.

Strict enforcement laws were ordered against tourists engaging in inappropriate behaviour, various Thai and international news reported.

Inappropriate behaviour violated “Thailand’s fine cultural values”, the statement added.

“Tourists exhibiting inappropriate behaviour or causing disturbance to the public and other tourists must be prosecuted strictly according to the law,” the statement said.

Sex act on moving vehicle

On May 4, a 41-year-old Spanish man, identified as Reuben, and a 43-year-old Peruvian woman, identified as Cynthia, were arrested after a video depicting them engaging in oral sex in a moving tuk-tuk in Phuket on May 3 went viral.

The pair were deported and black listed in Thailand.

Public nudity and sexual acts in public are punishable by a fine up to 5,000 baht (S$197).

In April 2026, a French couple was arrested and deported after footage of them having sex on a Phuket beach spread widely online.

Thailand is a mostly socially conservative society where public displays of affection are frowned upon.

Locals assaulted after being told not to smoke cannabis

In another separate incident, a foreign tourist attacked locals on the morning of May 4 after he was warned not to smoke cannabis in a public beach area of Pattaya.

The tourist taunted the victims and authorities and raised his middle finger at them.

He was eventually ordered to return to his accommodation, and authorities separated both parties to prevent further violence.

Tourism

The Thai government is expecting 33.5 million foreign tourists in 2026, up from 33 million in 2025, Bangkok Post reported.

Due to the conflict in the Middle East, the forecast was revised downward.