Chaiyathat Boonphoopantanti, director of the Pi Pi Islands National Park, said the tourist was fined B1,000 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 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.