Opinion Unpacking Thailand’s Beauty Ideals: A Call for Diversity and Inclusion

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An internal conflict | Photo by Farhan Abas on Unsplash

 

Upon arriving in Bangkok and boarding the Skytrain, I was immediately struck by the advertisements surrounding me. They displayed high beauty standards: porcelain-white, ultra-thin individuals with flawless skin and disproportionately large eyes. It was a surreal experience, more reminiscent of AI-generated images than of real human beings. This homogenous portrayal of beauty seemed at odds with the diverse backgrounds I grew up with in Canada and the United States.

 

These idealised images were not confined to the Skytrain; they extended to billboards, magazines, and almost every media platform across the city. The contrast between the billboards and the real people around me was stark. During my two-month stay, it became impossible to ignore the impact these unattainable standards might have on individuals’ self-image and confidence.

 

This intense focus on a narrow concept of beauty raises significant concerns. What psychological toll do these standards take on Thai residents, particularly young men and women, who may feel pressured to conform? The influence on self-esteem and body image can be profound, leading some to drastic measures like eating disorders, excessive workouts, and even surgery.

 

Thai-American Nicole Ogden’s story highlights the struggles of not fitting into Thai beauty ideals. She mentioned feeling oversized compared to peers, many of whom suffered from eating disorders. While Nicole eventually embraced her uniqueness, many continue to grapple with these pressures, sometimes turning to skin-lightening or other potentially harmful practices.

 

Skin lightening itself is a multi-billion-dollar global industry, driven by marketing that exploits people’s insecurities. During my visit to a Thai 7/11, finding skincare products that didn't include whitening agents was challenging. The contrast to Western beauty ideals, which often celebrate tanned skin, was striking.

 

This is not merely a Thai issue; worldwide, beauty industries perpetuate unattainable ideals, impacting millions. To create a positive change, we must challenge these narrow standards and celebrate diverse representations of beauty. The goal should be to foster a more inclusive culture that honours all unique forms of beauty.

 

By reflecting on how these beauty standards affect self-perception, we can work towards redefining beauty to embrace diversity. It's crucial to ask ourselves: What is your idea of beauty, and how do we collectively move towards a more inclusive standard in Thailand and beyond?

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-14