Bangkok Shop Owner Defends Right to Sell Controversial Shirts

[oustaristocrats]

2 minutes ago, sambum said:

 

I looked like he was the one being accosted - with a smile on his face too.

 

And not all of these shop owners are "scraping a living"!

 

Yes, Mr C. is probably walking in every shop with a crying face, of how poor these people are to make a living, some of them are indeed, but some of them have no scrupules to sell anything, they are like criminals you read every day in the news 

[parallelman]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

You are missing the point by resorting to baseless accusations instead of attempting to grasp the simple matter of basic decency.

 

The usual lines - “We are guests in this country,” “foreigners have no right,” or “if you don’t like it, go home” - are not legitimate arguments. They are cheap jabs, often made by those more interested in scoring points than engaging in thoughtful discussion.

 

None of these claims justify what is clearly wrong - this couple is selling T-shirts that can reasonably be seen as offensive.

 

This has absolutely nothing to do with nationality and everything to do with fundamental human decency. She is surely aware of what Hitler did - and if, by some miracle, she wasn't, she most certainly is now - yet I suspect the offensive T-shirts remain on sale regardless.

 

Consider this as a simple parallel: Would it be acceptable for her to sell a T-shirt depicting a deceased loved one of yours, accompanied by offensive or mocking words? Of course not.

 

While this may be an extreme comparison, it illustrates an important truth - what one person dismisses as trivial can cause deep offence to others. And this is precisely why freedom of expression must always carry with it a measure of responsibility - the responsibility not to be deliberately offensive simply because you can.

 

When I open up some of the posts made by 'ignored posters' its patently clear that there are those who would take active steps to deliberately be offensive - thus proving why they are on ignore in the first place, their content has no place in decent discussion.

 

I reject the argument that foreigners have no right to voice concerns. In fact, I would say that no private individual, regardless of nationality, has the unilateral right to dictate what can or cannot be sold. That responsibility lies with the relevant authorities - those tasked with upholding decency and common standards within society.

 

If policed correctly, i.e. if the Police here were not so apathetic and lazy, this may be seen as causing public offence, disturbance, or even perceived as inciting hate, authorities could act on that if they so wished - they don't because they are lazy.

 

But, there is precedence of the such actions where ignorant insensitivity has led to the need to react with a decent response and a apology. 

 

In 2011, students in Chiang Mai held a Nazi-themed sports day parade (yes, really). When photos went viral internationally, it caused a scandal and formal apologies were issued by the school and Thai officials.

 

 

Just because we've seen a few random market stalls selling this stuff, do not think it's actually accepted - it's more tolerated due to misunderstanding, not approval.

 

 

 

 

Decency is subjective. I would agree that such T-shirts might offend veterans of war or those affected by atrocities of war but there will be others who don't preceive it that way. As I have commented previosly, as long as the seller is within THAI LAW...

[richard_smith237]

13 minutes ago, parallelman said:

Decency is subjective. I would agree that such T-shirts might offend veterans of war or those affected by atrocities of war but there will be others who don't preceive it that way. As I have commented previosly, as long as the seller is within THAI LAW...

 

Then as I pointed out earlier - in that case 'its ok for the seller to sell T-shirt of a deceased loved one with a profanity'....    its within the Thai Law, but clearly that would be morally reprehensible. 

 

The subjected is far more nuanced that simplifying it to... Its within the law, its just a T-shirt etc... 

 

I think there is a line in the sand that shifts within a grey area, over time, from region to region... clearly there are extremes, and I'm sure someone 'responsible and considerate' would like to remain on the respectable side of this line. 

 

This shop seller is either naively and perhaps even innocently ignorant, or just doesn't care - as others have pointed out, thats entirely their prerogative - but its also understandable that in such situations others may become insulted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cameroni]

15 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Then as I pointed out earlier - in that case 'its ok for the seller to sell T-shirt of a deceased loved one with a profanity'....    its within the Thai Law, but clearly that would be morally reprehensible. 

 

The subjected is far more nuanced that simplifying it to... Its within the law, its just a T-shirt etc... 

 

I think there is a line in the sand that shifts within a grey area, over time, from region to region... clearly there are extremes, and I'm sure someone 'responsible and considerate' would like to remain on the respectable side of this line. 

 

This shop seller is either naively and perhaps even innocently ignorant, or just doesn't care - as others have pointed out, thats entirely their prerogative - but its also understandable that in such situations others may become insulted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course she's ignorant and doesn't care, she's a T-shirt seller. She can't be expected to cater to all sensibilities of all visitors with their varying spleens and prejudices.

 

Like you say, that's her pregorative. I also understand some people can be offended, but surely they need to put their offended emotion in their pocket and get on with life? I mean where would we be if every garment seller, ice cream vendor and newsagent has to consider every single possible offense every item may cause? It would be exhausting and nobody could sell anything! VWs? Can't sell them, some people will be offended? It's crazy.

 

It's one thing to be offended, it's another to go start an argument with a seller in a T-Shirt shop. That's way more unacceptable than the T-shirt. 

[Harrisfan]

4 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Of course she's ignorant and doesn't care, she's a T-shirt seller. She can't be expected to cater to all sensibilities of all visitors with their varying spleens and prejudices.

 

Like you say, that's her pregorative. I also understand some people can be offended, but surely they need to put their offended emotion in their pocket and get on with life? I mean where would we be if every garment seller, ice cream vendor and newsagent has to consider every single possible offense every item my cause? It would be exhausting and nobody could sell anything! VWs? Can't sell them, some people will be offended? It's crazy.

 

It's one thing to be offended, it's another to go start an argument with a seller in a T-Shirt shop. That's way more unacceptable than the T-shirt. 

I agree. People take offence, no one gives it. We used to laugh at Nazi jokes, Irish jokes. Now every 2nd person is offended.

 

Look at comedy. Ruined by leftism.

[Cameroni]

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

I agree. People take offence, no one gives it. We used to laugh at Nazi jokes, Irish jokes. Now every 2nd person is offended.

 

Look at comedy. Ruined by leftism.

 

Exactly, we used to have the "Hitler on Tour - Britain cancelled" T-Shirts. People would laugh and get on with life. Now a Hitler T-Shirt is a cause of "national embarassment"? Really?

[richard_smith237]

9 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Of course she's ignorant and doesn't care, she's a T-shirt seller. She can't be expected to cater to all sensibilities of all visitors with their varying spleens and prejudices.

 

Like you say, that's her pregorative. I also understand some people can be offended, but surely they need to put their offended emotion in their pocket and get on with life? I mean where would we be if every garment seller, ice cream vendor and newsagent has to consider every single possible offense every item may cause? It would be exhausting and nobody could sell anything! VWs? Can't sell them, some people will be offended? It's crazy.

 

It's one thing to be offended, it's another to go start an argument with a seller in a T-Shirt shop. That's way more unacceptable than the T-shirt. 

 

No disagreement from me there....      I see stuff like that...  It doesn't really bother me, but I'm not spending my money there that all... 

 

On threads like this I'll voice an opinion for the purpose of discussion as I find the varying inputs *interesting, those that completely disagree or make firmer points than I have.

 

(*once the trolling idiots are on ignore and not being catered to).... 

 

[Harrisfan]

2 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Exactly, we used to have the "Hitler on Tour - Britain cancelled" T-Shirts. People would laugh and get on with life. Now a Hitler T-Shirt is a cause of "national embarassment"? Really?

John Cleese Fawlty Towers Nazi jokes. Fine and funny. Spanish jokes.

 

The 2000 to 2025 culture is so woke. Joke really.

[Kerryd]

11 pages (so far) about an offensive t-shirt.

Every year I see vendors at events selling full on Nazi regalia (pins, flags, shirts). In Germany and some other places, you'd be arrested for that.
My friends have no clue what it means and don't care. 
Couple months ago my buddy bought a couple Japanese Rising Sun flags because he thought they looked cool.
It seems the Thais have short memories as well (or just never learned about WW2 history which is likely).

And people have worn Che Guevera shirts for decades - in North America - without having a clue about who he really was and what he really did.

What is offensive to you may be completely meaningless to people on the other side of the world that know nothing about the significance of the offensive items.

[Leadidge]

On 3/28/2025 at 9:53 PM, Ralf001 said:

Next time Iam down that market will defo drop in and buy some.

Going by the picture on your name, that doesn’t surprise me! 

[pacovl46]

I’d love to hear what song she’d sing, if someone wore a t-shirt that would be offensive to Thais/Thai culture/Buddhism. 
 

Of course she can sell what she wants, as long as it’s not illegal, but don’t be surprised if people call you out on it! 

[parallelman]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Then as I pointed out earlier - in that case 'its ok for the seller to sell T-shirt of a deceased loved one with a profanity'....    its within the Thai Law, but clearly that would be morally reprehensible. 

 

The subjected is far more nuanced that simplifying it to... Its within the law, its just a T-shirt etc... 

 

I think there is a line in the sand that shifts within a grey area, over time, from region to region... clearly there are extremes, and I'm sure someone 'responsible and considerate' would like to remain on the respectable side of this line. 

 

This shop seller is either naively and perhaps even innocently ignorant, or just doesn't care - as others have pointed out, thats entirely their prerogative - but its also understandable that in such situations others may become insulted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are commenting about deceny and morals but discussing them is more about philosophy. Both are subjective.  '...sell T-shirt of a deceased loved one with a profanity' while I would agree it would be disagreeable it would still be subjective. Approaching the seller and arguing with them would not achieve much since it was for sale in the first place. Now, if it was on some TV debate then some discussion might (or might not) have some influence. What a Thai seller might consider, is if the display of such T-shirts would be detrimental to their making a living. However, that would have to be proved. Complaining that such items displays insensitivity is hardly proof.

[kiwikeith]

On 3/28/2025 at 4:43 PM, chuang said:

Who the fork are these people to order others what to sell...if they don't like they can buy off the products and throw them away..

These people are making a living in their own country if you don't like go back to your country...

She has the right to sell them but I wouldn't wear one, Zelenky looks more like Hitler these days and plenty of neo nazi shirts available in Ukraine 

[Jingthing]

14 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

She has the right to sell them but I wouldn't wear one, Zelenky looks more like Hitler these days and plenty of neo nazi shirts available in Ukraine 

Vladimir Vladimirovich thanks you.

[Ralf001]

11 hours ago, Leadidge said:

Going by the picture on your name, that doesn’t surprise me! 

A tube of vagisil is Bt.520.00, you should buy some to help that irritation.

[MarkBR]

On 3/28/2025 at 6:25 PM, KireB said:

I remember the uproar in Thailand when an American firm used a Budha image on a bikini. So, they do understand.

They only understand if it is in a cultural context they understand, so Buddha means a lot to them, Hitler means nothing, Putin nothing to most Thais.

[KireB]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

A tube of vagisil is Bt.520.00, you should buy some to help that irritation.

You are an experienced user, it seems. 

[Aleksey75]

Of course, she can sell whatever she wants - being ignorant is not a sin. But those who buys those T-shirts depicting world criminals and murderers, like Hitler and Putin - I think it says a lot - you cannot put your brains in their heads... Just feeling pity for them, for their stupidity...

[Arthur Mullard]

On 3/29/2025 at 8:18 AM, Yagoda said:

I had a well endowed gf years ago who wore a tight Olive Oyl Tank top. She smoked a lot of weed and followed the Dead.

 

What became of her... 🤔🤔🤔

[Arthur Mullard]

On 3/29/2025 at 1:21 PM, spidermike007 said:

I hope they see a massive increase in sales due to this publicity, people have the right to express themselves however they want if other people choose to be victims and be offended that's on them. These people are likely overly sensitive Russians, or loyal Trump devotees, who object to the great leader being characterized in an ugly fashion. Well the fact of the matter is he's a very ugly man who continues to perpetrate genocide and who seems to make a sport out of killing women, children and political adversaries. So he deserves whatever kind of shame and humiliation the world can heap upon his ugly mug. 

 

Does she have one with his ugly mug saying "KGB Weasel" - I DO hope. That's so on the mark. 

[Arthur Mullard]

On 3/29/2025 at 11:25 AM, Harrisfan said:

Is the left offended by these?

 

Extreme leftists would get het up about WHO the model wearing them is... so culturally inappropriate! Of all nations the Chinese have to be the easiest to provoke - Russians next. 

[globetrotter303]

On 3/28/2025 at 12:23 PM, KannikaP said:

So many Thais buy and wear T shirts with almost anything written, correct spelling or not,  without them knowing what it says.

 

And most of them will not know who Adolf Hitler was or about the WW2 or Holocaust, maybe a few more Mr Putin.

Ignorance is Bliss in the land of mindless smiles!

[Yagoda]

9 hours ago, Arthur Mullard said:

 

What became of her... 🤔🤔🤔

I keep looking for her on Facebook, but Im sure she looks as bad now as any 60 year old would look to me.

[sambum]

On 3/29/2025 at 4:35 PM, richard_smith237 said:

 

Then as I pointed out earlier - in that case 'its ok for the seller to sell T-shirt of a deceased loved one with a profanity'....    its within the Thai Law, but clearly that would be morally reprehensible. 

 

The subjected is far more nuanced that simplifying it to... Its within the law, its just a T-shirt etc... 

 

I think there is a line in the sand that shifts within a grey area, over time, from region to region... clearly there are extremes, and I'm sure someone 'responsible and considerate' would like to remain on the respectable side of this line. 

 

This shop seller is either naively and perhaps even innocently ignorant, or just doesn't care - as others have pointed out, thats entirely their prerogative - but its also understandable that in such situations others may become insulted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"This shop seller is either naively and perhaps even innocently ignorant, or just doesn't care - as others have pointed out, thats entirely their prerogative - but its also understandable that in such situations others may become insulted."

 

Exactly as the text of the post says - she is within her right to sell whatever shirts she wants, whether they feature Hitler or Osama Bin Laden, so she doesn't care about other people's feelings - just about the money she makes from selling them.

 

As another poster pointed out, I wonder how she would feel if she had lost a loved one in for instance, a car accident, and somebody printed a tee shirt of the disaster scene accompanied by some crass comment, and put it on sale to the public?

[kwak250]

On 3/28/2025 at 11:24 AM, Harrisfan said:

Gengis Khan shirt be good

https://www.amazon.com/Genghis-Khan-TShirt-Shirt-T-Shirt/dp/B07MKQ6M24