Residents of Rawai, Phuket, have expressed concerns about foreign tourists sunbathing and swimming naked on a public beach, urging authorities to investigate the issue. Images posted on the “Phuket Info Center” Facebook page on March 2, 2026, sparked widespread online debate. The post questioned the impact of such activities on morality and Phuket's tourism image, asking if a “nude beach” is appropriate for the area.

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The beach in question is a secluded spot known as “Shadow Beach,” located before Laem Phromthep and accessible via a narrow trail. This area has become popular among Russian and European tourists and expatriates. For nearly a year, individuals have frequented the beach to sunbathe nude or in bikinis, most often from afternoon to evening.

No ownership claims or entry fees exist for the beach, indicating it is public land. However, local community representatives argue that public nudity contradicts Thai cultural norms and laws. They have approached various agencies, including the Rawai Municipality, Chalong Police Station, and the Phuket Provincial Culture Office, to address the issue and safeguard Phuket’s tourism reputation.

Local residents emphasized they are not against personal freedoms in private spaces but insist public behavior must align with Thai law and social norms. Under Section 388 of the Criminal Code, public nudity could be considered an indecent act, subject to a fine of up to 5,000 baht.

Online reaction to the situation has been mixed. While some commenters noted the longstanding nature of such behavior, others called for improved communication of Thai cultural expectations to tourists. Authorities and tourism operators are urged to establish clear measures to maintain Phuket's standing as a world-class resort destination, reported Khaosod.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 03 Mar 202

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If no action on the beach, then what are they complaining about?

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

The beach in question is a secluded spot known as “Shadow Beach,”

some shadowy deeds are going down there.

Fine them all 5,000 each

What? No photos?

Foreigners should respect Thai cultural norms when they're in Thailand. Is that really a controversial statement? It shouldn't be.

27 minutes ago, gargamon said:

What? No photos?

You ask for it

8 minutes ago, still kicking said:

She needs a cardio workout on the beach every night.

1 hour ago, Bill97 said:

Fine them all 5,000 each

Come on. In the interest of double pricing, 5,000 for Thais and 10,000 for farangs. 😀

55 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Is your wife comfortable with you posting pics of her online?

3 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Is your wife comfortable with you posting pics of her online?

That is Camaronis g/f

5 minutes ago, still kicking said:

That is Camaronis g/f

Cant be possible. The lips are too small.....oh wait.

Nude is not lewd!!! This is a great beach, very secluded and hard to get to.

If some self-appointed morals cop struggles the trail to take photos and be offended, they're the pervert voyeur.

2 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Nude is not lewd!!! This is a great beach, very secluded and hard to get to.

If some self-appointed morals cop struggles the trail to take photos and be offended, they're the pervert voyeur.

It’s perfectly reasonable for Thais to express their cultural sensibilities, and to make rules enforcing them, in their own country.

5 hours ago, tai4de2 said:

It’s perfectly reasonable for Thais to express their cultural sensibilities, and to make rules enforcing them, in their own country.

Absolutely. It's like censorship: Don't like it, don't look.

Unless Thais wanted to get nude, there's no reason for them to struggle down that steep trail for the sole purpose of being offended.

If Thais feel the need for made-up moral scruples, they can see nude women in any bar, any night.

Shadow Beach has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with freedom.

5 hours ago, tai4de2 said:

It’s perfectly reasonable for Thais to express their cultural sensibilities, and to make rules enforcing them, in their own country.

It is.

But then, Thailand and especially Phuket makes an incredible amount of money with tourists, and complaining later that they behave like... tourists, sounds a bit stupid.

And finally: going topless was culturally the norm in Thailand, until the far-right Phibunsongkhram government banned it to make Thais look more Western with their introduction of strict cultural norms (Ratthaniyom).

So, what exactly is then the "correct" Thai cultural sensibility?

10 hours ago, still kicking said:

But she's not naked!

10 hours ago, tai4de2 said:

Foreigners should respect Thai cultural norms when they're in Thailand. Is that really a controversial statement? It shouldn't be.

I see Thai cultural norms every night on the GoGo bar stages in Pattaya and Bangkok...

How about having a few nude beaches in thailand and keeping all the rest of the beaches non nude.....Its not hard...

20 minutes ago, gargamon said:

But she's not naked!

And thats a really good thing.

10 hours ago, still kicking said:

It looks like she's about to do a zipline ride. They must have gotten that strapping from the local zoo where they use it for moving the elephants. I wonder if the line has tested for that high a weight. Maybe she's connected to a helicopter.

1 hour ago, gargamon said:

But she's not naked!

11 hours ago, still kicking said:

This woman is a strong supporter of nude beaches..

2 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Absolutely. It's like censorship: Don't like it, don't look.

Unless Thais wanted to get nude, there's no reason for them to struggle down that steep trail for the sole purpose of being offended.

If Thais feel the need for made-up moral scruples, they can see nude women in any bar, any night.

Shadow Beach has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with freedom.

Where exactly is it? I walk there at least twice a week, early morning when it's still dark, but have no idea where exactly the trail is.

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

How about having a few nude beaches in thailand and keeping all the rest of the beaches non nude.....Its not hard...

Heading towards a semi though. :)

Looking at the photos on X, it looks to be a gay cruising location, as most photos are of men ... ENJOY

15 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

If no action on the beach, then what are they complaining about?

Exposed genitalia in public probably.

12 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Nude is not lewd!

Not legal either.

4 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Shadow Beach has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with freedom

...and with freedom comes the right to complain about public criminality or obscenity, doesn't it?

4 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Unless Thais wanted to get nude, there's no reason for them to struggle down that steep trail

What if those Thais wanted to use that public beach non-nude as they are entitled to do?

4 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Absolutely. It's like censorship: Don't like it, don't look.

B0llocks. If they want to get naked, don't do it in public. Don't like the laws, don't come here.