File photo for reference only

 

A French artist, Myrtille Tibayrenc, has raised concerns after her mural was covered by dark paint at a hotel near Bangkok’s Patpong red-light district. The mural depicted a nude male figure and was part of the Krung Thep Creative Streets project, supported by the French Embassy. The artist expressed her frustration on Facebook, labeling the action as "hypocrisy" given its proximity to Patpong.

 

Tibayrenc's artwork featured a nude, androgynous figure surrounded by vibrant floral and avian motifs. Despite being a creative invitation, the hotel chose to obscure the mural, retaining only its decorative elements. This decision was made without Tibayrenc’s consent, prompting her to criticize both the hotel and broader societal attitudes towards nudity.

 

The Bang Rak District Office quickly distanced itself from the incident, stating that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration had no involvement. They revealed that the hotel itself initiated the covering to "correct" the mural, supposedly after having informed the artist. The office, however, retracted its statement following public backlash, as Tibayrenc maintained she was not given prior notice.

 

File photo for reference only

 

Reactions have highlighted a clash between artistic freedom and prevailing cultural norms in Thailand. The incident underscores ongoing tensions in Patpong, a place known for its contrasting conservative and liberal values. Tibayrenc, noted for her provocative style, found the censorship particularly ironic, given the area's tradition of adult entertainment.

 

Looking forward, the hotel management is expected to communicate with Tibayrenc to explain their actions. However, the situation remains unresolved as no further announcements have been made by local authorities. The artist intends to continue using her platform to question restrictions on artistic expression.

 

Key Takeaways

• A nude mural by French artist Myrtille Tibayrenc was censored at a Bangkok hotel.
• The artist criticized the act as "hypocrisy" due to its location near a red-light district.
• Local authorities deny involvement, stating the hotel made the decision independently.

 

Related Stories:

Foreign Teens Condemned for Graffiti on Phuket Building

Chadchart Slams Mural Vandalism in Bangkok's Art District

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-10-16

 

 

6 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Myrtille

Sorry Myrtille, there are a few very sad/stupid people around

For me the end-state is better than the original (which looks pretty unconvincing/gratuitous).

 

Never occurred to the 'artist' that a different country might have - and sometimes enforce - different cultural values. "Oh golly, I thought they would love my art just as they do in France. I've won so many prizes!"

18 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

For me the end-state is better than the original (which looks pretty unconvincing/gratuitous).

Have to agree....

depends if the hotel payed for the mural. If they did then they can do what they like with it as id does not belong to the artist any more. The manufactured items that you buy are yours to do with as you wish and are not the property of the manufacturer be it a Rembrandt  or a chair.

Painting anything on property that doesn't belong to you and you don't have permission to do it, isn't about censor ship it's about vandalism and trespass.

I think it's no do much the change but that the hotel didn't reach out before they changed it to allow her to make changes.

 

Also why do they not say the hotel.  2 stories today that give an idea of the hotel area bjut don't name the hotel

3 minutes ago, Dionigi said:

depends if the hotel payed for the mural. If they did then they can do what they like with it as id does not belong to the artist any more.

If the hotel didn’t procure the painting then it’s just graffiti.

This is Thailand, a majority-Buddhist country, with different attitudes to nudity than France.  Did she show the hotel her plans before she made the mural?  I suspect not.

17 hours ago, JoePai said:

Sorry Myrtille, there are a few very sad/stupid people around

and some run some very sad hotels

Whatever the rights and wrongs of this case the mural looks better without the nude figure. in my opinion.

now it has the figure of a black cat in a coal mine. Much improved

Too much butt crack for the sensitive folk.

Next include a Thai person in Thailand and it may be more accepted.  Understand the environment and audience then decide on what to paint.  

 

I just wish they were as diligent with covering up graffiti as a mural though.

2 hours ago, Dionigi said:

depends if the hotel payed for the mural. If they did then they can do what they like with it as id does not belong to the artist any more. The manufactured items that you buy are yours to do with as you wish and are not the property of the manufacturer be it a Rembrandt  or a chair.

My knocks not in a twist on this issue. Just pointing out that a manufactured product is not treated the same as "intellectual" property. Had me reflecting on my past as a Prof. of History. We were on the "bleeding edge" of developing course content available to be used by the institution. A bit involved ... one reason I always bought my own computer equipment so the institution would not have the claim they provided the means of production. Fortunately, retired leaving the debate/defense to younglings.

Key Takeaways

 

"French artist .....  painting what is essentially  graphic graffiti to the public

 

she just needed a reminder .......

2 hours ago, bwanajohn said:

Painting anything on property that doesn't belong to you and you don't have permission to do it, isn't about censor ship it's about vandalism and trespass.

Don't talk nonsense, the hotel gave permission! Read and learn!

20 hours ago, JoePai said:

Sorry Myrtille, there are a few very sad/stupid people around

 

Yes indeed, like the narrow minded Thai dinosaur establishment!

4 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

Also why do they not say the hotel.

 

 

Everybody is frightened.

 

 

2 hours ago, ignore it said:

Too much butt crack for the sensitive folk.

Surprised someone hasn't sprayed a penis on it!😁

Beautiful mural.  Why are so many people on this site so nasty an critical?  Whether its some kid getting lost in the forest and saying he survived on insects and bark, or a lovely mural, there is so much nasty talk on this site.  Happy the kid is OK, a mural is generally an improvement on an old cement wall.  Shame Shame on all this negativity. 

The best bit about it, before the covering up, was the tapeworm.

She/He is a gender studies focussed androgynous arty pharty type - and the painting is obviously sexual in nature and meaning.  Sorry, but not in Thailand - take your gender fluid wall art/sheeite back to France. 

7 hours ago, bwanajohn said:

Painting anything on property that doesn't belong to you and you don't have permission to do it, isn't about censor ship it's about vandalism and trespass.

Ehhhh read the post 🤡 She was invited to paint the mural. 💩tho it was. 🤷🏼

7 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

I think it's no do much the change but that the hotel didn't reach out before they changed it to allow her to make changes.

 

Also why do they not say the hotel.  2 stories today that give an idea of the hotel area bjut don't name the hotel

Sorry King but I have no idea what you’re trying to say. 

See worse in some Buddhist temples.

20 hours ago, Wrwest said:

My knocks not in a twist on this issue. Just pointing out that a manufactured product is not treated the same as "intellectual" property. Had me reflecting on my past as a Prof. of History. We were on the "bleeding edge" of developing course content available to be used by the institution. A bit involved ... one reason I always bought my own computer equipment so the institution would not have the claim they provided the means of production. Fortunately, retired leaving the debate/defense to younglings.

Thanks for that, it made me lookup intellectual property rights, which I had not considered.

On 10/17/2025 at 11:35 AM, ujayujay said:

Don't talk nonsense, the hotel gave permission! Read and learn!

"...the hotel gave permission!"

Don't talk nonsense...where in the OP was it stated that the hotel gave permission for the original nude?  Read again and learn.

On 10/17/2025 at 1:38 PM, roo860 said:

Surprised someone hasn't sprayed a penis on it!😁

Eeeeyuk.

21 hours ago, Reddavy said:

Ehhhh read the post 🤡 She was invited to paint the mural. 💩tho it was. 🤷🏼

"Ehhhh" [sic], read the OP.   Nowhere in the OP does it mention that she was invited to paint the nude (or any) mural by the hotel.