British Influencer's Buddha Tattoo Sparks Thai Cultural Debate - video

[DonniePeverley]

There are too many of these smug British Benidorm crew in Thailand telling us how the west is rubbish - even though that is where they earn to be able to live in Thailand. Talk about biting the mouth that feeds you. 

 

Ban hostels

[wombat]

10 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Agree !  hard to remove if you regret !

Yes...it doesn't matter how hard you scrub it in the shower it won't wash off.

[jesimps]

11 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Why does anyone get tattooed?  They look awful.

Now I'm getting on in years, even though I have several tattoos, I agree. But that's only my opinion. You missed IMO from your post.

[Sydebolle]

Nice to see that there are no other problems in the Kingdom. You may call it tasteless, even irresponsible but that is possibly where it should end.

I never saw the Catholic Church questioning the fact, that Walking Street, Patpong, Soi Cowboy etc. are filled with naked girls wearing nothing but a cap of Father Christmas. I - for one - consider this "defamation" of the Catholic faith, as mentioned, equally questionable but I would never ever feel affected, insulted or anything worse as the girls have not the slightest clue, what the story of the (imaginary?) Father Christmas is. As I am not gay I do not know, if male gogo bars in other continents have stages full of young men disrobing of saffron-yellow robes which could be related to monkshood. 

So, cool it and be advised, that without this posting on the internet only a tiny fraction of people would have even noticed. 

[FlorC]

It wouldn't be a big deal if she wasn't an influencer or showed it off on social media.

In the first minutes (around 6 minutes in ) of the lauded "White lotus S 3"  in Koh Samui , the black guy says MF to the Buddha statue .

No-one (Thai) took offence here ? 

Gonna be watched by more than this influencer.

[Aussie999]

"The ongoing conversation highlights the cultural sensitivity regarding religious symbols and the varying interpretations of respectfulness," seems more of a Thai education issue.

[Aussie999]

12 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Going off your posting name, who would YOU have a neat tattoo done on you. Keith Harris, with Orville of course, Anita Harris, fit bird from the 60s, Rolf Harris, enough said, or Kamala Harris ?

Or here's an interesting one. In Cockney slang, arse = bottle and glass, shortened to just Bottle = Aristotle = Aris then Harris. 

completely irrelevant 

[Toby1947]

Attention seeker 🤬

[RandolphGB]

Bloomin' idol made o' mud, what they called the great gawd Bud.

[twizzian]

Donate 1m dollars to each & all the moaners, they’d still complain

[NorthernRyland]

You look like such a fraud and a clown getting images from other peoples culture on you. Thailand would deport her in a blink of an eye and think nothing of it if any of her documents aren't in perfect order. Don't care if you "love" Thailand culture and blah blah blah, GTFO, you're not one of us.

[CecilM]

I am more offended by monks: smoking, shopping, snacking, etc. And let's not forget the (most likely) fake monks roaming the streets. 

[Nabbiex]

She says "Is this wrong?"  In my first reaction, I, myself, am not interested in tattoo at all but I somewhat think her tattoo looks very beautiful. It made everyone calm & relaxing. In contrary to that, I don't understand why somebody raised the complaints to its image. I understand some photos at the temples are not permitted but some photos ARE permitted at some temples just like the postcards. So I believe she will be happy if someone at any sensitive Buddha area will kindly ask her to cover her tattoo image. If postcards / tee shirts / etc are permitted so why not tattoo too? 

[NorthernRyland]

10 hours ago, connda said:

Theravada Buddhism isn't Thai people's religion to manage.  So until I see efforts to rein in the hypocrisy that I see day in  day out in the Thai Buddhist community, they should take a lesson from the Bible and "Don't worry about the speck of dust in their brothers and sister's eye while they have a stick poking out of their own."  If we are going down that route then Thai monks should refrain from engaging in "Protection Tattoo" of Buddhist symbology as well.  These people are not the purveyors of Buddhism.  They need to develop some reverse cultural sensitivity and get a clue as to where foreign Buddhist devotions are centered.

 

good point but I don't think this is as strictly about religion as it's made out to be. I can't quite capture it either but there's something offense about some lost soul muppet from far away lands wearing your culture like a skin suit. It's not just this particular tattoo, there's others too.

 

Just being Buddhist is one thing but once you start wearing images  and saying "look at me!" to the world people will take notice and question your motives.

[Yagoda]

3 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

More pretty than any farang male

Yes, thats true, but I still not very attractive in any aesthetic sense. I am just less ugly

[MikeandDow]

2 hours ago, Nabbiex said:

She says "Is this wrong?"  In my first reaction, I, myself, am not interested in tattoo at all but I somewhat think her tattoo looks very beautiful. It made everyone calm & relaxing. In contrary to that, I don't understand why somebody raised the complaints to its image. I understand some photos at the temples are not permitted but some photos ARE permitted at some temples just like the postcards. So I believe she will be happy if someone at any sensitive Buddha area will kindly ask her to cover her tattoo image. If postcards / tee shirts / etc are permitted so why not tattoo too? 

Exporting images of Buddha out of Thailand is generally not allowed because it is considered disrespectful to the country's deeply rooted Buddhist culture and aims to protect the sanctity of religious artifacts, especially older or antique statues, from being looted and removed from the country; this includes regulations to prevent the commercialization of Buddha imagery and ensure that any exports are done with proper documentation and permission from the Fine Arts Department

[renaissanc]

"In the wake of the debate, lawyer Kerdphol Kaewkerd confirmed that Srichala's tattoo is legally permissible in Thailand, clarifying that she broke no laws despite the backlash." So, leave her be. It's her choice.

[Kinok Farang]

2 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Was it a picture of you?

Yes,i always wanted to be famous.

[Kinok Farang]

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

There are too many of these smug British Benidorm crew in Thailand telling us how the west is rubbish - even though that is where they earn to be able to live in Thailand. Talk about biting the mouth that feeds you. 

 

Ban hostels

Donnie Peevishly.

[FruitPudding]

Let me get this straight: these people, who wouldn't even stop for a child on a crosswalk, have a problem with a tattoo??!

[Nabbiex]

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

Exporting images of Buddha out of Thailand is generally not allowed because it is considered disrespectful to the country's deeply rooted Buddhist culture and aims to protect the sanctity of religious artifacts, especially older or antique statues, from being looted and removed from the country; this includes regulations to prevent the commercialization of Buddha imagery and ensure that any exports are done with proper documentation and permission from the Fine Arts Department

I do greatly value Buddha & always respect them and I am struggling to understand your comment. Does that mean the postcards/the tee shirts showing the images are considered disrespectful? 

[MikeandDow]

2 hours ago, Nabbiex said:

I do greatly value Buddha & always respect them and I am struggling to understand your comment. Does that mean the postcards/the tee shirts showing the images are considered disrespectful? 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/357587/exporting-buddha#google_vignette

[richard_smith237]

5 minutes ago, Nabbiex said:

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

Exporting images of Buddha out of Thailand is generally not allowed because it is considered disrespectful to the country's deeply rooted Buddhist culture and aims to protect the sanctity of religious artifacts, especially older or antique statues, from being looted and removed from the country; this includes regulations to prevent the commercialization of Buddha imagery and ensure that any exports are done with proper documentation and permission from the Fine Arts Department

I do greatly value Buddha & always respect them and I am struggling to understand your comment. Does that mean the postcards/the tee shirts showing the images are considered disrespectful? 

 

I think that potentially goes down the rabbit hole of silly and antiquated rules... 

Usually applied to large Buddha statues... 

 

How many times do we see 'Buddha bars' etc even around Thailand, without issue... 

 

This is just a tattoo, a painting is a painting....   and outrage is outrage, often in media such as this something which is 'sought or even fabricated' for attention. 

 

Although its different people who may find 'a tattoo of Buddha on a girls shoulder' offensive, I doubt they truly would... It may be more akin to a raised eyebrow.. much the way we raise our eyebrown when we see a monk travelling in business class or getting out of a merc etc... 

 

Remember - we are in a society without rules until there's a rule... 

The best question has been asked so far...   Is the same culture who doesn't stop for people on a cross walk getting upset at someone with a tattoo ???  - I dont think so...  its just media noise.

 

1 hour ago, FruitPudding said:

these people, who wouldn't even stop for a child on a crosswalk, have a problem with a tattoo??!

 

 

 

 

[sambum]

18 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Very neat tattoo. Looks good.

Personally I think all tattoos are horrendous - defacing the body.

 

There, that should put t'cat amongst t'pigeons

[praguecr]

Another fame seeker that will do anything to get new subscribers and attention. As with most any tattoo, she in all likelihood one day regret it. This one is on the arm, next the back and can only go lower from there.

[MikeandDow]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I think that potentially goes down the rabbit hole of silly and antiquated rules... 

Usually applied to large Buddha statues... 

 

How many times do we see 'Buddha bars' etc even around Thailand, without issue... 

 

This is just a tattoo, a painting is a painting....   and outrage is outrage, often in media such as this something which is 'sought or even fabricated' for attention. 

 

Although its different people who may find 'a tattoo of Buddha on a girls shoulder' offensive, I doubt they truly would... It may be more akin to a raised eyebrow.. much the way we raise our eyebrown when we see a monk travelling in business class or getting out of a merc etc... 

 

Remember - we are in a society without rules until there's a rule... 

The best question has been asked so far...   Is the same culture who doesn't stop for people on a cross walk getting upset at someone with a tattoo ???  - I dont think so...  its just media noise.

 

 

 

 

 

Not talking about Paintings, A Image  !!!!  and there are plenty of RULES in regard to this ref the Fine Arts Department ,Ministry of Foreign Affairs,  it is a criminal offence 

https://www.phuket-travel-secrets.com/buddha-images.html

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/357587/exporting-buddha

https://aseannow.com/topic/920832-taking-a-buddhist-statue-out-of-the-country/

 

[sambum]

12 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Says a guy in Pattaya bars.

 

Maybe prefers girls with no tattoos - either Pattaya or Soho!

[Toolong]

12 hours ago, connda said:

It seems as though Thais consider themselves to be the guardian of Buddhism so they fain extreme displeasure at a farang getting a tattoo of Buddha while missing the point entirely as why the woman has the tattoo.  Pretty much for the same reason as a Christian would give a tattoo of Jesus.  It's not a sign of disrespect but of respect and devotion. 

Buddhism in not a "Thais" to make the rules.  Buddhism belongs to all Buddhists.  I get tired of the self-righteous indignation while the same people turn to blind eye to monks literally gaffing off the Vinayas or the moral precepts of monks and not following the rules monks must follow.  Thai Buddhists are a conflicted self-righteous lot.  

"How dare you criticize Thai Buddhism farang!" I've ordained twice and have been a Buddhist for the last 4 decades.

Theravada Buddhism isn't Thai people's religion to manage.  So until I see efforts to rein in the hypocrisy that I see day in  day out in the Thai Buddhist community, they should take a lesson from the Bible and "Don't worry about the speck of dust in their brothers and sister's eye while they have a stick poking out of their own."  If we are going down that route then Thai monks should refrain from engaging in "Protection Tattoo" of Buddhist symbology as well.  These people are not the purveyors of Buddhism.  They need to develop some reverse cultural sensitivity and get a clue as to where foreign Buddhist devotions are centered.

Well said. 👍

[quake]

Tattoos are normal in Thai culture and religious beliefs.

There is nothing crazy or make believe about any of it.

Enjoy.

 

 

[digger70]

16 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Why does anyone get tattooed?  They look awful.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder .

You don't have to like it.