A group of middle-aged Chinese women play cards on a box at Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport.
(ECNS) - Photos showing a group of middle-aged Chinese tourists playing cards on a box at Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport have reignited debate about China's international reputation.
A Twitter user posted photos of the group playing cards while waiting for a flight and asked, "What's the problem?"
Responding to the viral photos, Suvarnabhumi police said the Chinese tourists weren't playing for money. But the police also said it was an inappropriate activity for such a venue.
A user of the Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo said that travel agencies need to introduce Thai customs ahead of time in order to avoid such embarrassments.
Another user said that when tourists are abroad they are representing China, and it's a shame that their actions reflect badly on the country.
Yet another person commented that playing cards is part of Chinese culture, which Thailand should respect.
Chinese officials have warned that ill-behaved tourists are damaging the country's image. A national database has been set up to rein in some of the most unruly sightseers and monitor the behavior of habitual offenders.
