Photos of a tourist, reported to be from China, drying her wet underwear on the seats at Chiang Mai International Airport's departure lounge triggered widespread criticism on social media.

The photos, believed to have been taken about two weeks ago, showed a woman using her phone as her pink bra and black panties laid next to her.

A public relations officer with the airport confirmed the incident, revealing that staff approached the woman to inform her not to dry her clothes in public. No further action was taken as it did not infringe safety rules, reported the Bangkok Post on Feb 2.

Chinese tourists' unsavoury behaviour - from pouring hot water on a flight attendant to deploying a plane's emergency slide - have hit the headlines in recent months.

Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association president Pornchai Jitnavasathien told the Bangkok Post it will be asking Thai tour agents and guides to explain to Chinese tourists that such inappropriate behaviour will hurt their overall image.