richard_smith237

Agreed.... and the Monks clearly didn't see it necessary to bother with at all...

The monk agreed ???... You know that how ?... nothing indicates the monk agreed with the Thai tourist at all. The Thai tourist told to Channel 3 that the monk mentioned he'd 'relay the message to the tour guide'... thats it. Translation: 'this person [Thai Tourist] is bat$#it crazy... just agree and he/she'll go away'....

What did the Monk do about it ??? What did anyone at the Wat do about it ??? Don't you think if this was something those in the vicinity found inappropriate someone would have spoken up ???? That's are generally very non-confrontational, yet when it comes to offending their culture or Thailand they are extremely vocal and don't shy from confrontation at all. I recall first being here, dropping money and trying to stop it rolling down the drain with my foot - I thought I was going to be lynched !!!.. No Thai nearby was shy to intervene then... yet, these women were permitted their peace for the whole time they were there - why ????? Because no one but this Thai Tourist was bothered at all... Then... Slow news day Chanel 3 thought they could make something of it... It is the 'thinking they can make something of it' which I consider objectionable and even potentially attempting to trigger an element of xenophobia in its audience to tigger interest... The Thaiger obviously taking the opposite approach and triggering the 'not a big deal' defence as you mentioned.

Again, the same exaggeration, returning to grossly. Get over this little straw man. Nobody said it was SO offensive. Nor should the request for the girls to stop sunbathing out there be SO offensive to you and the rest of our peanut gallery. The guide's being paid and maybe not much of a Buddhist anyway. But some serious Thai Buddhists do attend the Wats. We may also assume the monk was serious enough. You don't think its offensive but agree with the 'one' Thai who did and complained... I see... You have it completely backwards. The purpose here is to trigger our Western Karens, such as yourself, with outrage at the idea that Thais might be offended at Western behavior in their own country and Wat and dare find such behavior inappropriate. It worked beautifully. As I noted, the site will probably get ten pages out of this. Hee hee. Valid point - it has triggered discussion...odd that on a forum designed for discussion. Whats your purpose of being here if not to discuss various topics ???\ I'm triggered by the ridiculous over egging and appropriation of cultural sensitivity by some on behalf of the Thai's. You are triggered by those who are trivialising something you see the Thai's as considering culturally insensitive. Interesting...

100% agree.... That said... I do understand how some consider many foreigners here to behave in a culturally inappropriate manner... I just find that using this issue to highlight that stance is flawed... there are better examples to draw upon to highlight this and find the 'faux offence' some are taking on behalf of the Thai's is really over egging it... I don't know many Thai's who'd raise an eyebrow at this specific example.

It depends, are you still going to cry offence on behalf of all Thai's because one found it in appropriate that two women were sat on the grass in the temple grounds in shorts and a tank top ?

One person found it offensive and sent a photo to Channel 3 and then complained to a Monk about it. The monk was clearly so upset by the 'cultural offence' that he dealt with the issue immediately, right ???... he did deal with the issue didn't he ????? Well nope... the monk did nothing except tell the 'Thai tourist' that the message would be relayed to the tour guide. The tourists were behaving in such a culturally offensive manner that other Thai's complained right ??... no, ok, just one then. The tourists were behaving in such a culturally offensive manner that those working at the temple approached them and asked them not to lay on the grass, right ???... no, ok then... they left them alone in peace to carry on..... What did Channel 3 do ?... they went with a ridiculous story anyway, which was then picked up by The Thaiger...

Completely agree.... they also had a Thai guide with then (I assume the guide was Thai)... So, if this was 'so offensive to Thai's' as some are suggesting... surely the guide would have said something... How did the media get hold of this I wonder ?.... A non-story which has triggered a few western karen's into outrage at 'farangs culturally offending Thailands virtuous culture' for showing a bit of shoulder...

Well, if we're deviating from the subject and discussion comments it could be argued that you appear to be a far greater Karen than the person who found two girls in shorts and tank-top laying the grass inappropriate.

Are you suggesting only Thai's are permitted to levy criticism on anything Thai ????

All of them??? there you go 'foisting' your own opinion on to all Thai's !!!!! It seems you are deciding what they decide is appropriate or not... Have you asked a lot of Thai's about this ? - this article is about one person who took objection. I'm sure some Thai's would find this inappropriate, while others will find it no big deal at all... I'm sure most Thai's wouldn't give this a second thought... Its just clothed girls sitting on the grass after all... What is the issue you have with it ?... Are you outraged on behalf of any Thai's who may find this culturally insensitive ? Are you looking to be outraged at the behavior of foreigners here because you live here and feel the need to prove how 'Thai you've become' ??? Out of touch with reality much ???? Have you ever seen Thai's sitting in the sun in a park or on a beach at 3pm ????.... Does that mean foreigners shouldn't ???

I don't know that Thais find it ironic, do you? That idea, as well as "puritanical," appears part of your own unrelenting attempt to foist your own inapplicable ethnocentric viewpoint onto Thais. Not that you're alone, of course, if there's comfort in numbers. It seems that your point is because I'm not Thai I am 'foisting my view point onto Thai's'.... Which implies Thai's would not have the same opinion... Do YOU know, they don't ??? all of them ? ... I know a very many Thai's and it may surprise you that on the vast majority of subjects the viewpoints of both educated Thai's and educated Westerners (foreigners) is incredibly similar. It may also surprise you that on forums such as Panthip similar subjects have come up before and just as this forum there is a wide ranging and varying degree of opinions on such subjects. You have read Panthip and also integrated into society to understand the degree of similar in opinions between Thai's and Westerners haven't you ?????... have you ??? While I haven't asked my Thai friends about this thread, we've discussed enough similar subjects for me to guess that their reaction would be... 'Yes, mildly inappropriate, but big deal' (much as mine is) so yes, they'd find it as ironic as not being able to buy a beer from a 7-11 after midnight while the nation continues to drink drive. So.. are you 'foisting your viewpoint' on to Thai's that each and every one of them would find this issue culturally inappropriate and they'd fail to see the irony of some in society getting upset at such behavior in the shadows of hedonism ?

Mixed reactions indeed... with people thinking a mix of 'wey hey' .. and... 'eiw'...

A grotesque, not a gargoyle. Gargoyles have waterspouts Erm... so does this one... You've just been doing it wrong !!!!

Nor did anyone say it is. Exaggerating to trivialize won't help. It was sufficiently offensive. Valid point - although I'd argue 'offensive' is over egging it... sufficiently culturally insensitive to trigger someones sensitivities is perhaps more apt.... Looks like a thong in the latest pic. Different females, different city... The 'thong photo' you mention is taken at the massive field between Khao Sarn road and the Grand Palace... ppl play football there too... It does beg the question though, is this attire appropriate in the city ?.... would it be appropriate in Hyde Park or Central Park ? Certainly there is no issues with a Tank-Top and shorts in Hyde Park or Central Park, but a Thong ??? Thus... it is the 'showing leg and shoulders' within temple grounds that has the Thai Karens getting somewhat upset - culturally insensitive yes.... But then we are in a country of far greater extremes than this - in a country with 'ping pong shows' there is a strong degree of irony at the puritanical response to showing a little shoulder and leg...

Did she have lisp ???

Is that a euphemism ????

Yes. Loving to argue about a load of rubbish to start with, and already 3 pages after 6 hours. Wait till your suggested 10 pages in about the usual 3 days and will all be forgotten and nothing achieved. How many of those 10 pages will be filled up with people having arguments and discussions about something they feel doesn't need arguing about and discussing.. ??... Yet you considered the thread interesting enough to feel the compulsion to express your opinion.... Excellent stuff !!!!...

Change it to 'Bobby Smith'.... its bound to make you popular right off the bat....

No, it was a reasonable judgement with which the monk agreed. Residents in the vicinity hold the site in high regard, making sunbathing there culturally inappropriate. The concerned witness brought the matter to the attention of a monk, who assured that the message would be relayed to the tour guide responsible for bringing the foreign women to the temple. The reverse, then: the girls lacked common sense about what conduct might be culturally inappropriate. Not uncommon among tourists. I agree - the girls lacked some cultural sensitivity... But you, clipped my comment to suit your rhetoric... The complaint such that this has reached the media is out of balance with the innocent and naievely ignorant faux-pas. The girls were in shorts and a top... (tank top), had kicked off their shoes and were relaxing on a grassed area outside of the Wat (temple) but within the grounds.... its hardly a grossly inappropriate offence to Thailand's cultural sensitivities - I wonder if the same complaint would be drawn if it were Thai's behaving the same way (not that we'd see Thai's sitting in the sun). ------------ When I first came here I recall a Thai colleague going berserk at me for pointing at something with my foot - his response was far more offensive and impolite than my naively ignorant faux-pas - Some people (of all nationalities) are constantly on the search to be outraged and offended by something... ------------ This is hardly the newsworthy offence to Thailands pristine culture.... what, women with bare shoulders at a temple ????? Say it isn't true...

That should give you plenty of time.... As others have written, Thai passports can be issues very quickly (on the same day). There is an online booking system that will get you ahead of the physical queues, but I'm not sure if that will give you the dates / times you need - you can turn up at any of the Passport Offices (i.e. Khlong Toey BTS probably the most convenient if visiting central BKK) They also have passport offices in various provinces around Thailand - so check the below link, there may be one near you. The link also has numbers, so it may be possible for your Wife to call up, book an appointment etc and confirm that said office can do what you need in the time frame you need it. https://miceoss.tceb.or.th/en/e-passport-application-where-in-thailand/

I could be an operam quaesitor taediosus histrionic disorder.... ... best to get it checked...

+1 Completely agree.... I recall getting my Driving licence and wearing shorts - the lady told me I couldn't do the 'in room' tests because I was wearing shorts. No problem, I have trousers in my car that I'll go and put on... but what about those three Thai guys in Shorts ???? ok ok, no need to change. I went and changed anyway and came back with a big smile on my face, she really didn't like me after that !!!... While I agree that there is a degree of cultural insensitivity and all tourists (Western, Thai or otherwise) should be considerate and respectful of their surroundings wherever they are there is also the over-reaction and outrage that some seem to perpetually seek. In this case, the photo shows them in the grounds of the temple relaxing (and yes, sunbathing), its not exactly showing them stripping off in their undies or bikini and entering the temple itself.... There is common sense balance and this lady clearly lacks that judgement.

Look down... is your leg still there ??... Monocytes can be elevated after amputation... If your leg is still there, check yer nether regions - given posting history, you could have lost your manhood...

I have 32 pages of orders going back to Jan 2019.... (that easily accounts for 100's of items).... easily done.