"A temple is not a catwalk!" - Thais slam British tourist for temple pictures

[metisdead]

An inflammatory post and a reply has been removed. 

 

A misquoted post has been removed as well as the replies. 

 

An off topic post about temple concerts and a reply has been removed.  Those concerts at night time are not on the actual temple grounds, they are usually done in a field next to the temple.  

[Genmai]

18 minutes ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

Are you a Buddhist?  

Typical deflection via character attack when inability to address an argument arises. 

 

Why should it matter if I'm a Buddhist or not? Are you a Thai? No. Does that mean you're not allowed to have an opinion on Thai-related issues? Of course not! Should a female urologist have no say in your diagnosis because she's not a man herself? We're not in the middle ages anymore. Anyone with access to information can and should be allowed to put forth their opinion, regardless of who/what they are. That is supposed to be the bedrock of societies based on reason and diffusion of knowledge, but I can understand how being here for an extended period of time would make such logical thinking difficult for you.

 

24 minutes ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

If you live in Thailand you dont seem to have learned much about the complex spiritual beliefs in Thailand and the way they influence daily life.

 

Oh how wrong you are. I see the influences every day. The murderous driving, neighbors choking each other every night burning plastic trash, people encouraging the proliferation of rabid dogs whilst simultaneously shunning all responsibility for the consequences, total lack of accountability, corruption in every facet of society, tainted school milk, siphoned lunch funds, pesticides on everybody's food - should I go on? So much compassion! And all that from supposedly the most "Buddhist" culture on Earth. Certainly whatever spiritual beliefs you're alluding to must be very complex indeed to allow for such grotesque mental gymnastics. 

 

32 minutes ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

Regarding your comment about vipassana meditation centres. Its as silly as saying you learn about Christianity in a monastery.

 

No, it's about as reasonable as learning Christianity in a monastery. Please elaborate?

 

34 minutes ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

The tone of your message is that as an entitled and superior person you dont like Thais or Thailand.

 

Again another character attack. I've pointed out one of the myriad of instances where Thais act totally hypocritical. What you've done is thrown about labels and say I'm this that or the other without addressing any of my points. My tone, religion and what I may or may not think of Thais and their country has no bearing on the validity of my argument. 

 

[MartinKal]

10 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

They have called for her to apologize for her behavior saying she should know better than to have come to Thailand more like????

She and her many FB friends we will not being seeing them and their holiday exuberance again I guess.

 

If you walk into a temple wearing a hat there is always someone to remind you of the rules.

 

What happened here is a bit sad really.

[Matzzon]

5 minutes ago, metisdead said:

An inflammatory post and a reply has been removed. 

 

A misquoted post has been removed as well as the replies. 

 

An off topic post about temple concerts and a reply has been removed.  Those concerts at night time are not on the actual temple grounds, they are usually done in a field next to the temple.  

Thanks, Now we are coming somewhere. 

[Isaanbiker]

One post critical of her said that she shouldn't treat a temple as a personal catwalk.

 

   Some honest people work (a) year(s) to make their dream holiday, three weeks in Thailand!! 

 

  You can't change stupidity.

[Matzzon]

9 minutes ago, Genmai said:

Typical deflection via character attack when inability to address an argument arises. 

And that is a typical response to a low level attack. I wonder, why would a buddhist even reflect over such an irrelevant thing in life. Look at the big picture and the few important things instead. As we all know consuming loads and looking at much is the wrong way, while valuing the small and important things are divine.

 

9 minutes ago, Genmai said:

 

Why should it matter if I'm a Buddhist or not? Are you a Thai? No. Does that mean you're not allowed to have an opinion on Thai-related issues? Of course not! Should a female urologist have no say in your diagnosis because she's not a man herself? We're not in the middle ages anymore. Anyone with access to information can and should be allowed to put forth their opinion, regardless of who/what they are. That is supposed to be the bedrock of societies based on reason and diffusion of knowledge, but I can understand how being here for an extended period of time would make such logical thinking difficult for you.

You seem to mix up an opinion with people deciding the relevance of a behaviour. Most of the posters here are trying to state that this is not wrong and it is not such a big deal. That is not to be considered as an opinion, but rather a decision made of a guest against the citixens. Ask yourself if any population in any country would accept that? Last but not least, what would Lord Buddha have had to tech about such kind of behavour?

 

9 minutes ago, Genmai said:

Oh how wrong you are. I see the influences every day. The murderous driving, neighbors choking each other every night burning plastic trash, people encouraging the proliferation of rabid dogs whilst simultaneously shunning all responsibility for the consequences, total lack of accountability, corruption in every facet of society, tainted school milk, siphoned lunch funds, pesticides on everybody's food - should I go on? So much compassion! And all that from supposedly the most "Buddhist" culture on Earth. Certainly whatever spiritual beliefs you're alluding to must be very complex indeed to allow for such grotesque mental gymnastics.

And that has to do with behaving in a not appropiate way, seen in the eyes of the country´s population, on temple grounds in what way? What you indulge in is just a irrelevant out of the context discussion about something that makes you lose focus. Go back to the way of teaching the religion.

 

9 minutes ago, Genmai said:

No, it's about as reasonable as learning Christianity in a monastery. Please elaborate?

Elaboration not needed. You are lucky that Google Translate gives you a good go sometimes.

 

9 minutes ago, Genmai said:

Again another character attack. I've pointed out one of the myriad of instances where Thais act totally hypocritical. What you've done is thrown about labels and say I'm this that or the other without addressing any of my points. My tone, religion and what I may or may not think of Thais and their country has no bearing on the validity of my argument. 

In your open position that you put yourself in, you should be very happy for not having more attacks on your character. The points you´ve been making is not hard to address, and some not even worthy to. Your tone and religion has all to do with both the interpretation of your posts and the meaning of them according to this thread.


However, the sum of all thing once again, is that you like to stand out like a person that can come to a foreign country and decide whats important and what´s not. You seem to can decide what is right and whats not as well as how a right behaviour is defined or not. Surprise, my friend. You can not do that here. Maybe in your home country, but I suspect there are many even there that disagree with you.

[stereolab]

1 hour ago, Mavideol said:

the one I visited had food/drink stalls next to the begging safes

Absolutely spot on, visit , say Kham Chanod, you will be hard pressed to find the temple, as the area has been taken over by stalls, lottery vendors, and idiots who try to tell you there is definitely a car space around the corner.

[metisdead]

Some more inflammatory posts and replies have been removed:

 

7) You will respect fellow members and post in a civil manner. No personal attacks, hateful or insulting towards other members, (flaming) Stalking of members on either the forum or via PM will not be allowed.
 

 

An off topic post and a reply has been removed. 

[Matzzon]

11 hours ago, Lucius verus said:

She's on the outer wall and appropriately dressed. 

No big deal.

She certainly beats all the stray dogs and cats that are dumped at temples.

Rather look at her than piles of urine and poo.

 

And your opinion and what you think is right has what kind relevance when it comes to the way of Thai thinking and the ways of this country?

Step back and accept that you are the guest, and not the one setting the rules for whats right or wrong.

[Matzzon]

4 hours ago, geoffbezoz said:

You obviously have never been to many temples. Round my way they are one a week almost at different temples of course. Some of the dancers are hot good lookers and some are less so depending on how much they paid the entertainment person who supplied the dancers and the sound set up. Of course every body calls it "Thai dancing" and so it is Thais dancing, just happen to be like coyotes. And why do they have them? money of course, a share  into the Abbots pocket of course for allowing the booze and food vendors to be in the temple grounds. One near us last week had a particularly nice girl who was picking up many tips and the next village headman picked her up after the music stopped so no doubt a fine time was had at the local short time "resort".

That was not on the temple grounds. Next time take a photo and please post it so we can all see what you mean.

 

4 hours ago, geoffbezoz said:

Nah its just hypocrital Thais trying to get some attention

Hypocritical in your opinion. You are the guest.

 

3 hours ago, geoffbezoz said:

Absolutely any way of a temple to obtain money is acceptable for Thai Buddhist temples.

No, not though stealing.

 

2 hours ago, geoffbezoz said:

I think the point was being made to illustrate the hypocritical and double standards by Thais with respect to Buddhist temples in Thailand, something your own comment appears to reinforce together with your post 84.

In what way?

 

2 hours ago, geoffbezoz said:

Then some pompous Thai would have taken a photo, posted it  on their Facebook page complaining about you, just to see how many "likes" they could get to boost their own self-important egos, perhaps.

You must love Thailand and it´s people very much, right?

 

2 hours ago, geoffbezoz said:

wrong temples more like ????

I would say, wrong comment. On the other hand you made so many, so what´s just 1 single more going to make for a difference?

 

2 hours ago, geoffbezoz said:

no different, just a different terminology.

Oh tes! It´s a big difference. Alms are something that you wan tto give in respect to something, which you appearently have no clue about the meaning of. Begging is something people do to have the chance to get something for their needs.

[Redline]

Nothing wrong with this-her clothes are proper-not climbing around...

[Genmai]

1 hour ago, Matzzon said:

All this is starting to be a very stupid thread. We seem to have a big brigade of foreigner in this forum that believe they can come to Thailand and disregard the culture, it´s meaning and the way of doing things in Thailand according to the Thai people. 

Maybe it´s timne for all of you to sit down and realize that you are the ones in a foreign country. It´s not your conutry. You do not decide what is bad or good. You do not set the rules for what is acceptable or not. Actually, You have noting at all to say or do that can change the way of tradition, beliefs and culture.

What you are is guests in this country, that should have the common sense to accept the peoples wishes and ways. You are obligated to show respect to the country, the people and their rules and ways of living in their society. If you continute post your pure garbage regarding this and other stuff in this forum, that once was a good and respectful place to read on, maybe it´s time to think about moving away from here.

 

Just realize that your ways, your way of thinking and what you want is not relevant to the Thai population. You are a guest and should treat the country with a respectful attitude, and not like overgrown children that want to have it your way.

 

You're right, this is starting to be a stupid thread. As such I'm going to switch gears here because of how toxic our community is getting.

 

A foreigner in pretty much every single developed city in the West can find a support network to rely on. Chinese have one, the Thais have one, the Koreans, Indians, etc. It's part of what makes them so successful when they expatriate. But Western expats in Thailand in particular are really in a tough spot. We're constantly at each other's throats and it's to our detriment. 

 

In order to avoid getting sucked into a vicious back-and-forth with you and others here of "You're like this!" vs "But you really should be like this!" I'm just going to ask you two simple questions.

 

1 - If the locals came and burned down your house because there's ghosts inside would you still respect their "ways of living in their society"? In other words - what is your pain point where other people's culture stops being something wonderful and instead becomes a transgression against your dignity as a human being?

 

2 - Given how the prevailing religion in this country is a corrupted shell of what it claims to be what is actually the problem with the Brit tourist's photo, especially when considering that the majority of the locals frequently engage in morally reprehensible behavior that goes strictly against the Buddha's teaching? What is to be gained by siding with what could only be described as blatant hypocrisy?

 

With all due respect mate I think your points thus far have been based on the assumption that every culture in the world is an immalleable, precious, unique thing that should be revered. The truth is there is no shortage of stupid cultures in this world, or stupid aspects of certain cultures. I agree that guests in a foreign land are obligated to show respect to a certain degree. 

 

And the reason I know you agree with that is because had the situation been reversed I very much doubt you would continue holding onto your principles. If a Thai came to a Western nation where they were poorly treated and faced with reprehensible behavior and then snapped an innocent photo only to have Westerners wag their fingers and have the police promptly make contact to delete the indecency - would you be singing the same tune? Respect local culture or else? Recently on this forum I've been reading abhorrent reports of how racist Australia has gotten in the last decade. That guys can't bring their wife over for a BBQ because everyone thinks shes a hooker and Asians are weird. That is absolutely crap behavior that shouldn't have place in our society, and I think any visiting or expatriating Thai should have every right to call Australians out on it! Nobody in their right mind would tell them to shut it and be mindful of where they are.

 

 

1 hour ago, Matzzon said:

Actually, You have noting at all to say or do that can change the way of tradition, beliefs and culture.

 

Well, the TM30 petition exists, so there's that... 

Seriously tho - would that have gotten any traction if everybody had buried their heads in the sand and agreed to respect "local culture"? 

[Ctkong]

12 hours ago, gunderhill said:

Meanwhile where netizens and their great big  honking  noses arent, at the ruins in Ayuthaya the  Thais are  walking all over their "precious" temple ruins even though signs are written in Thai and English saying "dont".

Thais, worlds  biggest busybodies, got nothing better to do all day except gawk at their phones.

Thai thinking: this is our country and we can treat it however we like. You tourists, on the other hand, are the guests of our country and like any guest in a Thai house, do you act disrespectfully in your host’s presence? 

[Genmai]

2 minutes ago, Ctkong said:

Thai thinking: this is our country and we can treat it however we like. You tourists, on the other hand, are the guests of our country and like any guest in a Thai house, do you act disrespectfully in your host’s presence? 

 

So when Thais visit your country and find they are treated poorly/unfairly do you likewise tell them to respect their hosts or get stuffed? 

 

Or do you accept that we're not 5 years old anymore and humans can actually have constructive conflict by at the very least saying "There's something wrong here and we need to fix it"?

[Scouse123]

12 hours ago, Genmai said:

I wonder what Buddha would have said about the people with their panties in a twist over a beautiful photo?

 

Oh, I forgot - the prevalent religion here is a total perversion of the principal teachings of Buddha and is such a far cry from the original guidance that it shouldn't even bear his name. He even specifically told people not to build temples and to just walk the path instead. Now """monks""" deal dope, rape kids, get in fights on public transport, get drunk at parties and storm schools to molest underage students and punch teachers during exams, and basically sit around getting fat all day playing on their phone. Every time I go to Central I can spot at least one waddling about looking for a new phone. Meanwhile they get subsidized by overcharged dopey farangs on some enlightenment trip and Thais who think throwing a bit of money about will absolve them of any repercussions from stupid behavior. How is anyone with a brain supposed to respect any of this?

 

Ask any Thai what their "training" consists of and you realize there is 0 incentive or enforcement in their "practice". If you want to see real Buddhism in this supposedly Buddhist country you have to go to a Vipassana meditation center.

 

One of the few good things about the wats is free parking. I pay my taxes so feel freely entitled to use their parking and toilets. The other good thing is photoshoot locations. I sincerely hope the Brit doesn't cave in to this hypocritical hoity toity holier-than-thou BS we see so much from Thai people. 

 

Best post I have read on Thais and Buddhism!

 

Absolutely spot on!

[Ctkong]

2 hours ago, sfokevin said:

A Buddhist temple is not a gambling den but Thais don’t seem mind them being ringed by lottery vendors...  

Thais regard casino gambling as gambling but cannot see the connection between gambling and lottery .... to them striking lottery is god’s Gift to them. Lottery is just a formal ticket to redeem their payout. 

[Ctkong]

3 hours ago, geoffbezoz said:

no different, just a different terminology.

Alms not begging. both actions are the same but the intentions are different. 

Alms are given to support the monks by the Buddhist communities. The layperson gives alms to make merit . It is not begging. There is no dignity in begging. When you give alms, you are not actually giving to that monk per se but to Buddha. That is why the monk do not thank you personally for the alm because thanking you would demerit the deed. 

Edited July 31, 2019 by Ctkong

[PaulJ]

So many anti Thai comments I will never understand if you don’t like Thailand why people choose to live in that country.No country is perfect. 

[inThailand]

The problem is she didnt do as the locals do, give money to the wat before committing a host of sins?

[Thechook]

Temples shouldn't be used as a business either.

[hmficc]

On 7/29/2019 at 5:37 AM, partington said:

This is transparently faulty logic.

 

If reducing cholesterol reduces heart disease, then cholesterol is the cause.

 

If you have too much cholesterol because, for example, your LDL receptors don't work, then physically removing the cholesterol does not make your LDL receptors work again, but it does prevent the accelerated heart disease that occurs if you don't remove the cholesterol.  

 

Therefore it is not the factor that precipitates the high cholesterol, but the cholesterol itself. This is not "association" as you claimed, but causation. Contrary to  your earlier incorrect analogy, cholesterol is an arsonist, not a fireman.

 

I think you are riding so enthusiastically on a hobby horse that it is preventing you thinking straight.

 

19 hours ago, Genmai said:

I wonder what Buddha would have said about the people with their panties in a twist over a beautiful photo?

 

Oh, I forgot - the prevalent religion here is a total perversion of the principal teachings of Buddha and is such a far cry from the original guidance that it shouldn't even bear his name. He even specifically told people not to build temples and to just walk the path instead. Now """monks""" deal dope, rape kids, get in fights on public transport, get drunk at parties and storm schools to molest underage students and punch teachers during exams, and basically sit around getting fat all day playing on their phone. Every time I go to Central I can spot at least one waddling about looking for a new phone. Meanwhile they get subsidized by overcharged dopey farangs on some enlightenment trip and Thais who think throwing a bit of money about will absolve them of any repercussions from stupid behavior. How is anyone with a brain supposed to respect any of this?

 

Ask any Thai what their "training" consists of and you realize there is 0 incentive or enforcement in their "practice". If you want to see real Buddhism in this supposedly Buddhist country you have to go to a Vipassana meditation center.

 

One of the few good things about the wats is free parking. I pay my taxes so feel freely entitled to use their parking and toilets. The other good thing is photoshoot locations. I sincerely hope the Brit doesn't cave in to this hypocritical hoity toity holier-than-thou BS we see so much from Thai people. 

Another farang to tell us all about the real Buddhism. 555555555

[hmficc]

16 hours ago, legend49 said:

I cant see a Union Jack tattooed on her, how can they say she is UK. Bit like the Chinese guy urinating in Pattya turned out to be a Thai with a mental issue.

The Brits are urinating mental for sure.

[Benmart]

Such "temples" have evolved into revenue generating emporiums. Small wonder that Disneyland like antics are not uncommon.

[Will27]

16 hours ago, Matzzon said:

Just senseless stupid tourists again. They probably know and see everybody take off their shoes when entering a temple, and then can´t see the connection to that it´s not ok to put your feet on other things than the ground or floor in a temple area. Just get rid of them. Fine them and deport them. They are a disgrace to human intelligence.

Oh dear

 

Another one who just loves to get outraged.

Someone one who thinks he's more Thai than the Thai's.

 

If you think someone should be deported over something so trivial,

you're the one who is a disgrace to human intelligence.

 

Not surprising though reading some of your other posts TBH.

 

I'm guessing you'd be great fun at parties.

If you ever get invited to any that is.

 

How much was your charisma bypass?

 

 

Edited July 31, 2019 by Will27

[ianezy0]

22 hours ago, Mickc said:

So let me get this right, two tiered pricing and decorating temples with action figures and cartoon characters and you want tourists to treat temples with respect? Now I agree there can be some crude and offensive behavioreven to western standards and that is completely unacceptable. However, given that tourists are treated like cash cows some leniency should be given. 

Very ignorant post. It’s about respect

Edited August 1, 2019 by ianezy0

[Caldera]

Completely harmless and rather tasteful photos. We've seen far worse.

[Mitkof Island]

7 hours ago, PaulJ said:

So many anti Thai comments I will never understand if you don’t like Thailand why people choose to live in that country.No country is perfect. 

Well i think you and i understand why they are here. But we can,t mention the truth because it might hurt their feelings and then they report us. They tend to always be the Thai bashers yet they won,t leave gang. Ever notice not a single one of them can speak a word of Thai ? 1 +1 = ??????

Edited August 1, 2019 by Mitkof Island

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

This story would be much more interesting if there was an upskirt ????.

[Hooliganzone]

On 7/31/2019 at 9:44 AM, Mickc said:

So let me get this right, two tiered pricing and decorating temples with action figures and cartoon characters and you want tourists to treat temples with respect? Now I agree there can be some crude and offensive behavioreven to western standards and that is completely unacceptable. However, given that tourists are treated like cash cows some leniency should be given. 

I totally disagree with you, all sacred religious places anywhere in the world whether its your religion or not should be treated with the greatest of respect the surrounding walls are part of the temple and should be treated in the same way, look at them take photos no problem, being a fool and climbing on them be prepared to accept the consequences, better still if you are not respectful why visit them in the first place.

 

  

[Galactus]

she can go back home and walk on the walls of her local church.

but she dont do that of course.

and she thinks she has right to do such a thing in Thailand in a temple i think.

ignorance? she doesnt care? not sure.

either case, there is something called common sense.