"Chillin'! Tourist sitting down at a shrine: Thai press investigate "inappropriate behavior"

[webfact]

Daily News Thai Caption: Just chillin'

 

Daily News went to a Phuket night market to investigate after a social media post of a  female tourist's gaffe at a shrine.

 

The lady thought it was ok to chill and relax at a shrine, sitting at a table as though it were a coffee shop.

 

It was at the Chillva Market in Muang district of the southern Thai province - a market frequented by Thai and foreign tourists. 

 

It's a place where people stop for a bite to eat or a drink or get some clothes or knick-knacks.

 

But it is also the home of the Phra Phrom shrine - where Thais respectfully light joss-sticks and pray.

 

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Pussadee, a female clothes trader, said the tourist clearly had no idea that her actions might offend. Doubtless she didn't know Thai culture and customs.

 

Wiroj, a male trader, said that two women had arrived and it appeared one's phone had lost battery power and she was charging.

 

She sat there some time as people came to pay their respects.

 

Then one customer advised her this was not a place to sit and was inappropriate.

 

The tourist immediately got up and was shocked that what they were doing was wrong, said Wiroj, who said he would have advised her himself before the other person came. 

 

He didn't know where the ladies were from.

 

 

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[SAFETY FIRST]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

sitting at a table as though it were a coffee shop

Foreigners arriving, no common sense and very disrespectful. 

 

If they did that at my house the wife would hit them with a stick. 

 

 

[chalawaan]

In other news, I went to the Sewen, and to my shock, they were out of Chang. I immediately jumped on my Honda Tweak and went to the next one few clicks away, luckily, no Thai "netizens" were offended the whole time I was out and about as a farang in their country.

 

 

 

"I wouldn't say F## in a Church, but I'd have one there!"

Ben Elton

Edited May 6, 2022 by chalawaan

[Gottfrid]

Yeah, it´s horrible! I mean, they have so much tourism right now, so they can really afford to be picky. As another part, inappropriate behavior??? I really think it´s high time to clean up the rotten fish behind their own doors, as a first stage to be able to speak. There is a lot of hidden Pla Ra, in the behavior department.

Edited May 6, 2022 by Gottfrid

[KannikaP]

I did read, and laugh,  that the Red Fanta which they put at these shrines is supposed to represent the blood of a sacrificed animal.

I seem to remember that there is a cult (yes I did spell it correctly) to whom red wine and a bit of biscuit represent the blood and flesh of some Jewish geezer who lived in Israel 2000 years ago.

[Whale]

18 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Foreigners arriving, no common sense and very disrespectful.

How can it be disrespectful if they are not aware of the culture? You've been here too long.

[OneMoreFarang]

42 minutes ago, webfact said:

Then one customer advised her this was not a place to sit and was inappropriate.

 

The tourist immediately got up and was shocked that what they were doing was wrong,

I think that is the important part. 

If there was a sign in English then the tourist could have and maybe should have read it. But sometime it is just something "everybody" knows. Except of course the tourists who don't know.

[kokesaat]

I was stationed in Nakon Phanom in 1973 when this happened.  As I recall the story,  the missionaries took photos then dropped the film off for processing (remember those days??!).  Someone at the shop spotted the photo and reported it to authorities.  

https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/10/archives/thais-expel-2-americans-or-desecrating-a-buddha.html#:~:text=The two men%2C Joseph K,a Buddha statue while Mr.

For years, when I would tell the story, I'd try to  imagine some NY tourists going into St Patrick's Cathedral and sitting on the altar for photos.  That'd only be half as bad.

[happy me]

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Foreigners arriving, no common sense and very disrespectful. 

 

If they did that at my house the wife would hit them with a stick. 

 

 

Does your shrine have a table and chairs? Most I've seen don't!

[Jingthing]

Not very much ado about almost nothing.

They moved immediately without protest when informed.

Never had any intention to offend anyone.

You invite tourists and you accept tourists are not experts in your culture.

Nothing to see here folks!

Perhaps "netizens" can find something actually important to focus on.

 

Next ... 

Edited May 6, 2022 by Jingthing

[Jotnar]

28 minutes ago, happy me said:

Does your shrine have a table and chairs? Most I've seen don't!

Along with outlet nearby for convenient charging of devices.

 

 

[Captain Monday]

I once called a friend our for Facebook posting a picture of him sitting his ass on the stoop of a Temple shrine. He was pretty upset , I had to apologize.

 

Later I noticed Thai guys doing it all the time. Some even drinking beer on one next to a 7/11.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Foreigners arriving, no common sense and very disrespectful. 

 

If they did that at my house the wife would hit them with a stick. 

 

 

Seems like you have a jolly wife. Mine would ask if they want a coffee, something to drink or eat.

[BangkokReady]

So are there actual table and chairs next to the shrine?  If so, what are they for?

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, BangkokReady said:

So are there actual table and chairs next to the shrine?  If so, what are they for?

I'm guessin' spirits. 

[OneMoreFarang]

32 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

So are there actual table and chairs next to the shrine?  If so, what are they for?

The ghosts - obviously. 

[metisdead]

A post using English slang language has been removed. 

 

A post with a trolling image about grammar usage has been removed. 

 

An off topic post about Ukraine has been removed.

Edited May 6, 2022 by metisdead

[mtls2005]

Free Red Fanta, unlimited refills.

 

Free cigars.

 

Ugh, no pig head for me.

 

 

[Thailand]

Incredibly newsworthy and a credit to journalism today.

[billd766]

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Seems like you have a jolly wife. Mine would ask if they want a coffee, something to drink or eat.

As would my wife.

 

It seems as though only the ultras are offended but the ultras of any group will always be offended by something.

 

Instead of being offended perhaps one or 2 people could have explained to the tourist quietly and politely what the problem was.

 

It has nothing to do with the press, the MSM or the social media other than as a witch hunt.

[Jotnar]

14 minutes ago, billd766 said:

As would my wife.

 

It seems as though only the ultras are offended but the ultras of any group will always be offended by something.

 

Instead of being offended perhaps one or 2 people could have explained to the tourist quietly and politely what the problem was.

 

It has nothing to do with the press, the MSM or the social media other than as a witch hunt.

Wonder what's the Thai translation for 'karen' or 'snowflake' is

 

Personally I think the spirits might enjoy the company.  I always make sure they can read my device over my shoulder when sitting on or near shrines, as surely they are interested in current events.  They seem to enjoy it, as I always have a breeze.  Thanks for that.

Edited May 6, 2022 by Jotnar

[peter zwart]

Just tell (educate) them and problem solved. Not smart of this lady but she immediatly act when someone told her. So no bad intentions.

[KarenBravo]

I have two shrines at home. One for Buddha and one for the local spirit and guess what? They both have tables (but, no chairs).

They're used for offerings.

[NeoDinosaw]

5 hours ago, kokesaat said:

I was stationed in Nakon Phanom in 1973 when this happened.  As I recall the story,  the missionaries took photos then dropped the film off for processing (remember those days??!).  Someone at the shop spotted the photo and reported it to authorities.  

https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/10/archives/thais-expel-2-americans-or-desecrating-a-buddha.html#:~:text=The two men%2C Joseph K,a Buddha statue while Mr.

For years, when I would tell the story, I'd try to  imagine some NY tourists going into St Patrick's Cathedral and sitting on the altar for photos.  That'd only be half as bad.

I remember that incident. I was at a party at the US consulate when there was an urgent call for the Consul to get those clowns out of jail. He decided that there was no rush .........

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The tourist immediately got up and was shocked that what they were doing was wrong, said Wiroj, who said he would have advised her himself before the other person came.

So no harm done then?

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Seems like you have a jolly wife. Mine would ask if they want a coffee, something to drink or eat.

If you can make that Gai torte and a Chang I'll be over tomorrow????

[natway09]

Time Thailand got over some of this medieval rubbish, it's a shrine, not even a temple

& she was fully clothed

[Dogmatix]

6 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Foreigners arriving, no common sense and very disrespectful. 

 

If they did that at my house the wife would hit them with a stick. 

 

 

Your missus sounds really fun!

[Bangkok Barry]

This could have been written in one sentence: A tourist, unaware of the sensitivity of sitting where she did, immediately moved when advised of her error.

[RocketDog]

7 hours ago, chalawaan said:

In other news, I went to the Sewen, and to my shock, they were out of Chang. I immediately jumped on my Honda Tweak and went to the next one few clicks away, luckily, no Thai "netizens" were offended the whole time I was out and about as a farang in their country.

 

 

 

"I wouldn't say F## in a Church, but I'd have one there!"

Ben Elton

I haven't found anything else to be offended by today.

So I'll use your post:

 

"How dare you ride a Honda motorcycle in Thailand! They are Japanese motorbikes you know! It's disgusting to be drinking so early in the day with so much air pollution and the price of gas going up. I guess you care nothing for your children".

 

There. I feel better now. Righteous indignation every day is healthy.