Will we have 600+ posts appaled at the disrespect of this act? 

2 hours ago, Oziex1 said:

Will we have 600+ posts appaled at the disrespect of this act? 

We might have 6 hundred posts appaled at the 600 posters appaled of this act. 

The heavy majority of us here on this forum are non-Thai; and I am guessing that very few of us talk to Thais about this kind of issue. So, I really wonder what Thais in general think about all this. For instance,  do most Thais think it was the right thing that she was arrested ? Do most Thais think it was appropriate that she was forced to go through this humiliating apology procedure ?

 

Any idea ?

Edited December 17, 20178 yr by JemJem

38 minutes ago, JemJem said:

The heavy majority of us here on this forum are non-Thai; and I am guessing that very few of us talk to Thais about this kind of issue. So, I really wonder what Thais in general think about all this. For instance,  do most Thais think it was the right thing that she was arrested ? Do most Thais think it was appropriate that she was forced to go through this humiliating apology procedure ?

 

Any idea ?

I shall conduct a survey amongst my thai friends. 

Though in the current climate, some may be afraid to answer. 

9 hours ago, greenchair said:

Not quite sure what your point was. 

There are many people that have made funny cartoons of Christ and the cross. People use the cross as an adornment of jewellery. There was a Thai artist that showed shocking pictures disrespectful of Christianity. We don't put them in prison for not having the same passion as another religious person that would not do that. 

I'm not Buddhist, but I am sure Buddha or the sanctity of buddhism would have love, compassion, patience and kindness for someone that did not have the an understanding. He certainly would not want another human being imprisoned and humiliated in public by ignorant people claiming it is in his  name. 

When I was a child I jumped all over the tombstones. I didn't know who they were.

A kind person gently told me it might be hurtful to the person whose family had passed away. I didn't do that again. 

I guess you would say I was treated kindly and patiently to instil understanding. 

As would probably be one of Buddha teaching. 

 

"When I was a child I jumped all over the tombstones. I didn't know who they were.

A kind person gently told me it might be hurtful to the person whose family had passed away. I didn't do that again.     I guess you would say I was treated kindly and patiently to instil understanding."

       

    Yes of course, because you were a child and did not know. So, treated with kindly patience in teaching you.  But in the case of this article at the top, these were not little children who did not know better....the guide herself being a 44 year old adult Thai woman who of course was already aware, but did it anyway. 

 

    As for the traveling Chinese... also not a child.... he should also know better.  

 

  Same with those two tourists from the U.S. dropping their pants and underwear for photos at a Wat Arun in Bangkok.

 

  Before my first trip to southeast Asia, and before I studied and became Buddhist, I was quite aware that I did not know Thai and other customs or the purposes of things at temples there.  Not wanting to unintentionally do something embarrassing, and possibly insulting, (even if in ignorance)...I did a study of the country and things the people find insulting, and ways to show respect.  Before coming to Thailand, I learned for example of things like not stepping on baht bills if you drop one and it starts to blow away, (It has the picture of the King.) not stepping on sacred Buddhist things such as Chedis,  not step over a person, not sit in temple with feet pointed at Buddha statue or monk or even other person. Remove shoes/sandals before entering sacred space or a home...and many more things.

            So when I arrived in southeast Asia.... I already knew these things....  It's our responsibility before we travel. It's simple common sense, don't you think?

     It matters not whether we think these customs are stupid or not necessary.

They are not dangerous customs...they are just the way of the people/country.

 

    If we wish to ignore them and not show respect for their beliefs and ways, we should stay in our own countries and not come to Thailand. 

          It is our reponsibility as adults to study these things before we travel to other countries...

      It's simply part of our responsibility as adults, and using our brains.....  We don't have the excuse..."Well..... I'm just a tiny little kid. I didn't know better." 

Little children have an excuse..... but there is no excuse for us as adults to be dancing and/or displaying ignorance on tombs, or other sacred things. Of any religion. 

       These people are very lucky that the Thai authorities go so easily on them and that the "punishment" is so very light. I think they ARE being kindly and patiently treated.

 

     The Thai tourist guide, Chinese tourist, and the American "mooning" tourists are very lucky they did not do the things they did at or on a sacred Muslim shrine in Saudi Arabia or Iran.  I'm pretty sure the consequences would be a little bit more harsh.

 

   The Thai tourist guide and Chinese tourist and those two pants and underwear dropping American tourists should not be surprised that they got in a little bit of trouble. 

Edited December 17, 20178 yr by Catoni
Addition

Catoni you didn't need to rattle off to me your conversation with attrayant. I read it. It's obvious to me that you are a very religious person and anything related to religion effects you in a profound way. Probably half the world's population of Muslims, Christians and Buddhists are similar to you. There are several laws to protect your right to worship that and hold those beliefs. 

However, the other half of the world's population are not to bothered with it all. They don't want to kiss a brick, bow to a piece of wood, be careful not to offend the first half. They have their rights too. You will see that most churches, moscs are not open to tourists and travellers. They are used specifically for worship by people like yourself that worship those things. The sites that are open to tourists are no longer used for worship and it's understood that most people attending are there to take a selfie and do something lude for fb. 

Most of Thailand temples have been opened as tourist attractions. They are in guidebooks around the world and making a fine profit from it to boot. They have to choose. Is it a tourist site, that people will come that have no intention of worship and simply want to take a selfie. Or is it a holy site for worship and prayer. 

Walk the walk. don't talk the talk. 

41 minutes ago, Catoni said:

   

 Why do you and "attrayant" live in, or visit quite often,  a country that is about 94% Buddhist ?  I hope you avoid the temples and monks.

        I'm sure that you would feel very incomfortable seeing so many others praying or making offerings and showing respect . 

 

     

They are praying for money. 

 

 

Oh well... at least she stepped up and took it on the chin!

 

 

and is now the most qualified guide in town, regarding on-the-job experience

Off topic posts regarding grave desecration in western countries have been removed as well as the replies.