Mae Hong Son Governor Chucheep Pongchai issued an urgent directive to tighten regulations and enhance supervision of tourism activities in the Pai district, following reports of inappropriate behaviour by some foreign tourists during river tubing on the Pai River.

 

The matter came to the fore when a local resort owner in Pai raised concerns about the current state of tubing activities along the Pai River. The complaints revealed that alcohol and beer were being illicitly sold to tourists, disguised in plastic water bottles to evade detection.

 

Tourists, after finishing their tubing activities, were reportedly seen wandering around town in their swimwear, with some men donning only swim briefs and women clad in two-piece swimsuits or bikinis. This behaviour has been deemed disrespectful to local culture.

 

Additionally, there have been instances of tourists sneaking into resort areas for sexual activities, leading to police reports and widespread online criticism.

 

In response, Chucheep directed relevant agencies and business operators to promptly implement measures to regulate tourism in Pai, particularly focusing on tubing activities involving foreign tourists. The objective is to preserve the town’s reputation as a desirable tourist destination.

 

 

The district chief of Pai initially reported the inappropriate behaviour linked to tubing activities. Consequently, district authorities and police will convene with business operators to establish cooperative measures.

 

These will include a ban on alcoholic beverages during tubing activities, regular inspections, and ensuring tourists dress modestly, wear life jackets, and respect local cultural norms. While most tourists have been cooperative, there have been a few exceptions.

 

The Deputy Governor of Mae Hong Son is scheduled to visit the Pai district to attend a meeting with relevant agencies to further organise and solidify tourism measures.

 

Mae Hong Son has emerged as a popular destination for both Thai and international tourists alike. From the beginning of the year until July, nearly 40,000 tourists have visited. River tubing on the Pai River is seen as a significant attraction for foreign tourists, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

By Ryan Turner

Image courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-07-17

 

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8 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

River tubing on the Pai River is seen as a significant attraction

What is "river tubing" after farangs begin to wonder in their underwear confronting local culture and sneaking for sexual activities? 

 

We have to stop this with regular police checks and fines! Seriously, what a disrespect!

Why not fine the ones who sold the alcohol outside the alcohol sales hours??? Now in Pai you have to wear proper clothes.. Maybe an idea for Pattaya, Phuket in the bars too that the girls and boys do the same??? Back to the Victorian age?

 

Best thing to do is that tourists avoid Pai and this rafting.... Much better and easier  

To me "river tubing" sounds inherently sexual. So what are they complaining about?

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Tourists, after finishing their tubing activities, were reportedly seen wandering around town in their swimwear, with some men donning only swim briefs and women clad in two-piece swimsuits or bikinis. This behaviour has been deemed disrespectful to local culture.

 

I wonder what these guys think of the sexy Mor Lam dancers and booze filled dance shows that there seem to be in supermarket carparks and patches of wasteland every couple of weeks!

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

The objective is to preserve the town’s reputation as a desirable tourist destination.

I guess that the place will be less desirable to tourists now.

In Vang Vieng in Laos there have been many tourist deaths caused by the mixture of tubing and alcohol.  I expect the same is true in Pai but reporting is suppressed.

28 minutes ago, Arkady said:

In Vang Vieng in Laos there have been many tourist deaths caused by the mixture of tubing and alcohol.  I expect the same is true in Pai but reporting is suppressed.

 

tubing there used to be so cool, 25 years ago it would be a relaxing, peaceful appreciation of nature experience, now it's a pretty horrific to me, but probably a wonderfully social media boastable, noisy, drunken experience to the younger generation. sad we don't seem to be able to appreciate the small, beautiful experiences in life anymore.

1 hour ago, BangkokReady said:

 

I wonder what these guys think of the sexy Mor Lam dancers and booze filled dance shows that there seem to be in supermarket carparks and patches of wasteland every couple of weeks!

In Pai?

Have you got a link for that?

If those young Farang want to behave in that fashion, why come here?

Instead, why don't they just go to South Beach, nor far from Miami.

They would be happier there.

And, Pai People would be happier here.

 

Also, those bikinis they are wearing in Pai are pretty ugly.

I doubt they would be welcome at South Beach, overdressed that way....

 

 

Those young female Farang infesting Pai, these days...

They think they are Hot.

But, they are NOT!

 

No respect for local mores.

Seemingly no respect for themselves, either.

 

If I want to see HOT...

I go to South Beach, or...

I head for Brazil.

Never....Pai!

 

Note: I have not linked the video here.  Reason:  This Topic is about Pai...not South Beach.

 

Utterly disgusting, depraved behaviour that offends the sensibilities of the righteous Thais. 

Must go to observe this outrageous behaviour.

Now wher was that again? Where are my skimpy speedos??

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Tourists, after finishing their tubing activities, were reportedly seen wandering around town in their swimwear, with some men donning only swim briefs and women clad in two-piece swimsuits or bikinis. This behaviour has been deemed disrespectful to local culture.

These tourists should be ashamed of themselves wearing shorts and bikinis to go into the water on a tube. How dare they show so much skin. They do not go there for suntans and water fun. They need to wear modest clothing that covers all their bodies like Thais do. Hmph. Am surprised there is not a comment from the PM or Prayut about their being so underdressed for this water sport

Looks like the locals have done here what they do all over Thailand... entice the tourists to a new venture and forget the sustainability bit.

Pack as many in as possible, sell everything you can and milk it for as long as it lasts.

Firstly ban the tubing..

Land of Crackdowns & Schemes. 

Land of Crackpots & Simpletons more fitting.

Wipe out these vermins 😨

This dress code initiative should be implemented in pattaya. All bargirls and gogo dancers must wear loose clothing, long pants or skirt, long sleeve shirts and cover their hair. Maybe a hijab. 

10 hours ago, Arkady said:

n Vang Vieng in Laos there have been many tourist deaths caused by the mixture of tubing and alcohol.  I expect the same is true in Pai but reporting is suppressed.

I doubt that, doubt that there has been any deaths. No one in CM has heard of any 'rumours' of this.

Vang Vieng was doing tubing for years, no, a decade plus, with no controls whatsoever. This is both recent & infrequent stuff for Pai. Of course organized by Thai companies and locals to make money. Booze them up, drug them up & toss em in a river. Frankly it seems pretty orderly compared to the old VV tube experience. However now it is also a chance to be outraged. Righteous outrage and Thailand. Who knew righteous outrage  was such a critical feature of Thai Culture?!



 

too cheap to get a room.  looks like Pai. has turned into a real classy place.

Forty years ago, Greece was like this, all the grandmas in black going ballistic about topless sunbathing.

 

They learned to adjust once they saw the money rolling in, without the same hypocrisy as Thailand, which tolerates  open prostitution without admitting it exists.

 

Mores will change over time, if they don’t, tourists will go elsewhere to enjoy themselves.

but who sold them those beer?   foreigners?

It is a backpackers/young persons hangout. They are spending money on renting tubes, hotels, food, booze and weed.  Isn't that what these resort spots wanted? 

They are not going to sit in their rooms all day bored to death.

 

8 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

If those young Farang want to behave in that fashion, why come here?

Instead, why don't they just go to South Beach, nor far from Miami.

They would be happier there.

And, Pai People would be happier here.

 

Also, those bikinis they are wearing in Pai are pretty ugly.

I doubt they would be welcome at South Beach, overdressed that way....

 

 

Those young female Farang infesting Pai, these days...

They think they are Hot.

But, they are NOT!

 

No respect for local mores.

Seemingly no respect for themselves, either.

 

If I want to see HOT...

I go to South Beach, or...

I head for Brazil.

Never....Pai!

 

Note: I have not linked the video here.  Reason:  This Topic is about Pai...not South Beach.

 

I'm sure this is satire...but just can't see it! #Gamaglobulin does seem a little unhinged this morning....

10 hours ago, it is what it is said:

 

tubing there used to be so cool, 25 years ago it would be a relaxing, peaceful appreciation of nature experience, now it's a pretty horrific to me, but probably a wonderfully social media boastable, noisy, drunken experience to the younger generation. sad we don't seem to be able to appreciate the small, beautiful experiences in life anymore.

I was thirty two when I first went to Pai 25 years ago.  Don't remember any tubing but sure it existed.  Lots of rafting trips.  Beautiful place and there were tourists but it wasn't anything like it is today.  In the evening now it is like Disneyland.  Lines and squeezing through crowds.  Not my type of place in the least.

12 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

I wonder what these guys think of the sexy Mor Lam dancers and booze filled dance shows that there seem to be in supermarket carparks and patches of wasteland every couple of weeks!

next will be at the beaches, if outside the water then have to cover up I guess!

51 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

This dress code initiative should be implemented in pattaya. All bargirls and gogo dancers must wear loose clothing, long pants or skirt, long sleeve shirts and cover their hair. Maybe a hijab. 

elephant pants and shirts but must be made in Thailand only.

13 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Back to the Victorian age?

Get's my vote.....

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Looks like the locals have done here what they do all over Thailand... entice the tourists to a new venture and forget the sustainability bit.

Pack as many in as possible, sell everything you can and milk it for as long as it lasts.

That is what our dear leader wants to happen – and is contemplating adding more airports to bring in the masses

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This behaviour has been deemed disrespectful to local culture.

"Local culture" is a temporary phenomenon and includes both positive and negative aspects, and "respect" is earned, not donated.

23 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Get's my vote.....

From the mid-19th century onwards, the traditional topless attire of Siamese women began to be viewed as obscene, and attires revealing female breasts were then regarded as 'un-Thai' expressions of depraved Western sexual culture