British tourist faces 10-year jail term for graffiti on Thai landmark
A British tourist accused of spraying graffiti on one of Thailand’s most historic attractions could be handed a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of more than £23,000.
Local police said 23-year-old Lee Furlong from Liverpool has admitted defacing Tha Phae Gate in the northern city of Chiang Mai and he faces charges of vandalizing an archaeological site.
Video footage appears to show a man spraying ‘Scouser Lee’ on the gate, which dates back to the 13th Century.
A Canadian woman, Brittney Schneider, has also been charged with vandalism for allegedly adding her first initial to graffiti on the gate.
The offences carry a maximum 10 years jail term and/or a fine of up to £23,555.
"They admitted to the crime, saying they did it because of the thrill and they were also a little bit drunk," a police spokesman said.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025