Controversial Bikini Sunbathing by Foreign Tourists Sparks Cultural Debate in Bangkok and Chiang Mai; Authorities Respond

[webfact]

On January 15th, 2024, the Phra Nakhon District Office stated to the public regarding viral images of two foreign tourists in a bikini sunbathing at Sanam Luang, Bangkok, causing controversy on Thai social media.

The Phra Nakhon District Office publicly revealed that the case happened on December 29th, 2023, and Phra Nakhon municipal police were immediately dispatched to the scene after receiving a report. The two foreign tourists were warned and agreed to follow the instructions.

 

 

The Phra Nakhon District Office promised to put information signs in the area to prevent future incidents.

 

Recently, on January 15th, Thai national media interviewed Phra Phayom Kalayano, the abbot of Wat Suan Kaew, regarding the incident in Chiang Mai. Phra Phayom stated that it was a cultural difference and a lack of understanding of Thai cultural traditions.

 

By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2024-01-16

 

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[ikke1959]

Big dildos on the markets , in the middle of the road for good luck or harvest, for good sales are no problem.. Sunbathing in a bikini however is the worst there is in Thailand.. except in the bars...and that for a lot of nothing in the land known for its sex

[NoDisplayName]

Are they sunbathing on the temple grounds, or a nearby athletic field?

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

two foreign tourists in a bikini

Two girls, one bikini........555

[Bday Prang]

on amarin TV last night the reporter spoke to an offended woman who had not actually witnessed the incident, but who was more than willing to point to where she thought it happened 

[richard_smith237]

OK.. this one is a bikini.. so I can see how it is considered insensitve... 

 

But dispatching three policemen to deal with it ???...     The over-reaction here to such issues is hilarious.

 

Just dispatch one officer and he can remind them...'sitting on the grass an picnicking is fine, but please be dressed properly'... 

 

I'm guessing there are no issues with a Tank-Top and Shorts if laying on the grass at Sanam Luang.

 

 

48 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Are they sunbathing on the temple grounds, or a nearby athletic field?

 

Not in temple grounds, its the large grassed area between Khoa Sarn Road and the Grand Palace and one of the women was in a G-String Bikini - ok for the beach or a poolside, but I can understand why it may be overstepping the mark of 'cultural sensitivity' in the city...

 

Meanwhile - guys play football and sepak-takraw on the same field, some of them shirtless.... (but they're male and not foreigners so its ok).

 

 

 

[jaywalker2]

Odd, you'd think they would have been a little self conscious as the only ones sunbathing on that vast sea of green like maybe that isn't the kind of thing you should do there. Possibly?

[riclag]

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

Are they sunbathing on the temple grounds, or a nearby athletic field?

According to my number one source on Buda temple ethics!

This is forbidden territory and is subject to the rules of temple ! This picture

is From Bangkok according to my source in view of the royals per-view

 

Source ,a devoted Thai Buddhist. 

[NoDisplayName]

18 minutes ago, riclag said:

According to my number one source on Buda temple ethics!

This is forbidden territory and is subject to the rules of temple ! This picture

is From Bangkok according to my source in view of the royals per-view

 

Source ,a devoted Thai Buddhist. 

 

Okay, just another confusing article.  The two ladies in Chiang Mai were sunbathing on temple grounds.  The two in Bangkok were not.

 

The only common denominators are sunbathing and intertubes outrage.

 

 

[riclag]

23 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Okay, just another confusing article.  The two ladies in Chiang Mai were sunbathing on temple grounds.  The two in Bangkok were not.

 

The only common denominators are sunbathing and intertubes outrage.

 

 

Thats a bingo

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, jaywalker2 said:

Odd, you'd think they would have been a little self conscious as the only ones sunbathing on that vast sea of green like maybe that isn't the kind of thing you should do there. Possibly?

 

Particularly in a G-String...  But, I wonder if the treatment would have been the same if they were having a picnic in shorts and a tank top, or just sun bathing in shorts and a tank top as the girls were in Chiang Mai... 

 

 

[still kicking]

So, when will they ban bikinis on beaches?

[brianthainess]

Hogs n kisses  a little bit of lipstick would help, after all it is good looking. And all those teats wow. 

2 hours ago, roo860 said:

That incident with a pig, I caught on channel 32 some pointing 👉 at the pigs ars@hole

, what's that all about?😅😅

 

[Bday Prang]

3 hours ago, roo860 said:

Definitely need more stories like this, pissed myself laughing (again)!!!!

I'll agree with that,  far too much serious stuff on here

[quake]

6 hours ago, roo860 said:

Won't be a Muslim then!!! 😅😅😅😅😅

 

Could be,  as there are many part time ones in Thailand .

 

[jaywalker2]

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Particularly in a G-String...  But, I wonder if the treatment would have been the same if they were having a picnic in shorts and a tank top, or just sun bathing in shorts and a tank top as the girls were in Chiang Mai... 

 

 

I don't know about Chiang Mai but Sanam Luang isn't used for recreational activities, I believe.

[Chris Daley]

Thats one hell of a suntan.  Damn 40 degrees heat.

[ikke1959]

Coyote dancing in the temple compounds are never a problem. and also copulating movements by dancers..But that are not foreigners

[Nsp64]

Culture, culture, culture .  A very over-used word in Thailand.  Often used because they are too scared or unable to express a personal view so generalise by saying "thai culture"

[Gknrd]

Yeah, agree across the road in a huge open field. Just bypass Thailand as a Tourist destination in the future.

[StayinThailand2much]

Unbelievable! Only 100 years ago Thai women often didn't even wear tops! - Is Thailand copying "traditions" from the  Ayatollahs, or Islamic State now? No wonder that Westerners more and more decide not to visit Thailand (again)...

[Rampant Rabbit]

36 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Unbelievable! Only 100 years ago Thai women often didn't even wear tops! - Is Thailand copying "traditions" from the  Ayatollahs, or Islamic State now? No wonder that Westerners more and more decide not to visit Thailand (again)...

probably read the old tourist site an deemed it  ok https://globalvoices.org/2011/04/24/thailand-outrage-over-topless-teen-dancing/

[StayinThailand2much]

8 hours ago, riclag said:

According to my number one source on Buda temple ethics!

This is forbidden territory and is subject to the rules of temple ! This picture

is From Bangkok according to my source in view of the royals per-view

 

Source ,a devoted Thai Buddhist. 

 

It's understandable on temple grounds where everyone is asked to wear long sleeves and pants. But on Sanam Luang? C'mon!

[spidermike007]

Thailand has embraced the fact that it's a tourist destination, and it has invited people from all over the world to come and visit. So what on earth do they expect? Is every foreigner expected to behave like a Thai the entire time they're in Thailand?

 

And what on earth is the issue with two women in bikinis in a park? How is that considered controversial on any level? What is wrong with sunbathing, it's not like two people are found having sex out in the public. It is two women in bikinis. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill, talk about fabricating something for the sake of victimhood, talk about a nothing burger. This is so ridiculous it borders on puerile and insanity. Is Thailand the new Saudi Arabia? 

[KCPhuket]

15 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Two girls, one bikini........555

2 bottoms no tops apparently 🤣

[Darksidedude]

ridiculous

[dogfish180]

Was the issue with the bikinis or that sunbathing will make them turn brown and look like a poor person? 🤔 That's what Thai culture is concerned about 😂😂

[spermwhale]

Meanwhile the Thai girls walk around dressed like tramps and coifed for sex. Foreign tourists are quite conservatively dressed compared to the many Thai ladies. 

[jonclark]

Suggest those outraged by these tourists behavior at Sanam Luang get down there at night. Full of homelessness, drug use and prostitution.  

 

[tonypattaya]

Common decency should be adhered to. It is not, what they were wearing, but where. On the beach, OK; in a Gogo bar, anything goes, but not in a public area/park in the centre of town.

It is just as bad as when a low class male farang goes into a bar or restaurant without wearing a shirt.