CHIANG MAI, Feb. 8 -- An Australian couple has been arrested for defacing a centuries-old Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, after CCTV captured them spray-painting graffiti across its outer wall in the early hours of January 30, according to Thai media reports.

The pair, identified as Joshua, 32, and Gabrielle, 27, were detained on February 6 following a complaint from Phra Kru Palad Preeda Jaiboon, the abbot of Wat Dok Euang in Sri Phum.

The Bangkok Post reported that the abbot said the 400-year-old temple had been repeatedly targeted, forcing it to spend tens of thousands of baht repainting the wall, only for fresh graffiti to reappear soon after.

Footage handed to police showed the man spraying black paint while the woman acted as look...