Crackdown Ordered On Religious Tattoos In Phuket

[nyujay2010]

“people who showed their bodies for a living” such as “prostitutes” and “go-go dancers” had such tattoos, it would erode respect for religion.

REALLY? What about many go-go dancers I see (and believe me, I've seen plenty! - hahaha!) who quickly pray in front of a Buddha shrine before she goes on stage?

The hypocrisy in this country is giving me diarrhea of the brain :-)

[dumpling]

Ladda Tangsupachai, director of the ministry's Cultural Surveillance Center, warned that if "people who showed their bodies for a living" such as "prostitutes" and "go-go dancers" had such tattoos, it would erode respect for religion.

What about the professions they are in are they not offending to some religions?

People with visible religious tattoos who engaged in "bad behavior" such as "sitting drinking alcohol and arguing" would damage the faiths through association, Mr Niphit said.

And how about almost every other Thai guy having tattoos that are truly religious (made at the temple) being seen drinking or is that okay as long as they don't argue ?

(this guy best stay away then)

Another impossible rule to enforce but which could be used to manipulate people.

Edited June 1, 2011 by dumpling

[mrjohnno]

"the ministry's Subcommittee on Safe and Creative Media"

straight out of Orwell

I was thinking the same. Then one would have to deal with the Thai Circumlocution Office. If you have no idea what this is it comes from the Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit. I quote

Charles Dickens wrote Little Dorrit between 1855 and 1857. The term circumlocution describes roundabout or indirect speech, or the use of many words where a few would do. The Circumlocution Office is a place of endless confusion. Forms need to be filled in to request permission to fill in more forms.

If you have not read the book then I highly reccomend you do.

[Pib]

No law against it, but they want to enforce a law that doesn't exist. No real mention of a future law banning the tattoo shops from applying such images...no, let's pass a law that hammers the customer. Oh, by the way, who determines if a tattoo is a religious image? Maybe the BIB...it would be a new source of income for them. Amazing Thailand.

[KeyserSoze01]

Subcommittee on Safe and Creative Media

National Culture Committee

Cultural Surveillance Center

Don't these people have more to be concerned with other than this witch hunt?

How about improving the educational system for your people and not chasing BS.

The only people to benefit from this will be the BiB as they extract fines from unsuspecting tourists and expats.

Yet another reason why Thailand will always be a backward society.

[EarthAlien]

"People with visible religious tattoos who engaged in “bad behavior” such as “sitting drinking alcohol and arguing” would damage the faiths through association, Mr Niphit said."

Here's the meat of Niphit's issue,..

If Farangs wearing Buddhist tattoos are caught engaging in bad public behavior (as only farangs would do) then that presents Buddhism in a bad light

but seeing as he can't really single them out or take singular issue on that basis then LET'S BAN ALL RELIGIOUS TATTOOS!

To my way of thinking this would prevent thousands of people from visiting Thailand.... or at least if you visit Phuket, Pattaya then you can't go swimming (unless you're suitably clothed and not displaying your "religious" tattoos).

Niphit is a total tool ( as most of them are).

Thailand,- Land of Superficiality and insane double standards!

[Arkady]

Seems rather unenforceable. How do they stop the tatooists from doing it? If they go after the tatooed foreigners, they can just say they had it done somewhere else. Ridiculous.

It would be more effective for the Public Health Ministry to close down all the tatoo shops on health grounds as they are high risk places for catching HIV. How can customers be sure they don't re-use the needles to save a few baht? But I can't see any reason for Thailand's pathetic culture ministry to get involved. Since all parties are offering more costly benefits to the people with no plans to raise more tax, the next government had better start making cuts and closing down this useless ministry would be an excellent place to start.

[tigermonkey]

Thank God I'm an atheist!

How can you thank God if you're an atheist ? God does not exist for you !

[exbelg]

don't you love all those tourists that come for a tattoo meaning a-hole of something else... but as it is in chinese or thai, most just don't get it

[Beetlejuice]

Can we expect a crackdown on Thais having Nazi images tattooed...?

Yes, nice one.

I have thought about this for many years.

Many people find Nazi style regalia and tattoos as offensive and even intimidating in some cases, however much they try to claim that it`s all done in naivety and innocence.

Funny, isn’t it, how these sorts of matters become offensive when the boots on the other foot. Or should I say; when the Jackboots on the other foot.

I think all tattoos are disgusting anyway. I mean, just look at those brazen hussies pictured below. Would any of you stoop so low as to spend a night with one of them?

[dobadoy]

People with visible religious tattoos who engaged in “bad behavior” such as “sitting drinking alcohol and arguing” would damage the faiths through association, Mr Niphit said.

With piss-poor logic like that, this guy could be the Sarah Palin of Thai politics.

Presumably, he's trying to strike a chord with voters in the run up to the coming election. 'True defender of the nation's values', always a vote winner.

[devaram]

Religious tattoos are normal and traditional. They have been doing this for thousands of years. It is simply more proof that the Thai government are a bunch of idiots.

[PaulBax]

Thai market tattoo shops reuse needles without sterilization whereas any good studio opens a new sterile needle in front of you! I have Buddhist tattoos all very carefully thought out and made in the UK. We know this is more rubbish by bureaucrats who have to justify their existence, however, they have no clue as to just how classless tattoos have become in the west or how much they are part of modern popular culture.

[devaram]

Its ok for millions of women and girls many of whom are underage to sell their bodies openly and freely in Thailand but farangs must not have a picture of Buddha on their arm.

Is there something seriously wrong with this country?

[ralewis]

..this article makes me LOL.

[annabel]

Exactly... in a month or so it will be allowed! As long as 50% of the revenue goes equally to the government and one of the Wats... But the question will be Which Wat ...??? Mama Mia!! what a waste of time and energy but as long as there is $$$$$$$$ to be made somewhere a new law will emerge !! Wonderful inspiring Thailand!

Just a new income stream for somebody, extorting money from tattoo studios now.

[mrjohnno]

Thank God I'm an atheist!

How can you thank God if you're an atheist ? God does not exist for you !

It is a phrase used by both atheists and anti-theists and is mockery

[robsamui]

Just about every Thai guy in our village has some 'lucky' religious tattoo somewhere on his body. Alot of them done at the local wat. I wonder if the proposed law banning religious images on the body is intended for both farang and Thais?

You obviously didn't bother reading the story.

R

[richieudon]

whatalotofoldbollocks!!!

[Misterwhisper]

This ministry is slowly transforming the country into a "Hub of Clownery".

Well, at least it's finally a hub that really, really works to perfection and in all its aspects, unlike all the other hubs that have been declared.

[boattime]

I recall a great Guru in India saying: "If they are talking Bad about me, then this is good, at least they are talking"

[robsamui]

Thai market tattoo shops reuse needles without sterilization whereas any good studio opens a new sterile needle in front of you! I have Buddhist tattoos all very carefully thought out and made in the UK. We know this is more rubbish by bureaucrats who have to justify their existence, however, they have no clue as to just how classless tattoos have become in the west or how much they are part of modern popular culture.

Your observations show little awareness of this country ...

This is the impermeable Kingdom of Thailand. Why should anyone in this country

a) even begin to grasp the concept of "classless", and

b)have any interest in or awareness whatsoever of "modern Western popular culture"?

R

[sirchai]

Thank God I'm an atheist!

“At the meeting, we noted that these tattoos were all over the country, in particular in tourist destinations such as Khao San Road, Tawanna and Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket,” he said.

What a bunch of nonsense. I've got a Tattoo on my upper arm showing Lakshmi, sitting on Lotus leaves, the HINDU god for love and good luck, made in India 30 years ago. Ganesh the god of the Indian elephants would freak out to read this if it would be written in old Sanskrit.

A problem might be that most citizens of this country don't even know where their religion came from. Not even Thai teachers.

Thought it was 1st April again, being in a Coma for so long?

Thought Khao San Road was only for people to buy fake documents? Sorry, but you can openly buy a fake document, degree, or anything else, but you can't have a Buddha tattooed on your body?

Of course there aren't other problems in the so nice tourist destinations...............:jap:

[brianb1944]

Culture Minister Niphit Intharasombat ought to get a life and start worrying about something that actually matters...

I thought it was April 1st, unbelievable is not the word, I have 3 of these tattoos, and am certainly not disrespectful of any religion.

[SteeleJoe]

Can we expect a crackdown on Thais having Nazi images tattooed...?

[quote name=Beetlejuice' timestamp='1306938295'

Yes, nice one.

I have thought about this for many years.

Many people find Nazi style regalia and tattoos as offensive and even intimidating in some cases, however much they try to claim that it`s all done in naivety and innocence.

Do you mean explicitly Nazi images or do you mean a Swastika? I've not seen any of the former tattooed on Thais -- have you?

The swastika comes from this part of the world, thousands of years before the National Socialists, and only has any association with them because they appropriated it.

It does however have an ancient association with Buddhism (and Jainism and Hindusim).

Edited June 1, 2011 by SteeleJoe

[GeorgeKi]

Best of all - clean up Thai tourism & make it a better place - stop tourists with any tattoos

Edited June 1, 2011 by GeorgeKi

[brianb1944]

Thai market tattoo shops reuse needles without sterilization whereas any good studio opens a new sterile needle in front of you! I have Buddhist tattoos all very carefully thought out and made in the UK. We know this is more rubbish by bureaucrats who have to justify their existence, however, they have no clue as to just how classless tattoos have become in the west or how much they are part of modern popular culture.

I have many tattoos, all done in Thailand and Indonesia, and never struck a tattooist who does not use a new needle. As all your tattoos were done in UK, then your evidence of malpractise here must be anecdotal rather than factual.You were probably warned by your Uk tattooist of the dangers of saving 1000s of $$ by having them done in Asia.

[Farang0tang]

I think this Niphit In-the-bud guy got his inspiration after a viewing of Hangover 2.

Somebody, draw a peni$ on his forehead pleeeeez!

[brianb1944]

Thailand is a police state. In a police state there is always a Buffoon knowing what's best for you, the country or the religion. Don't worry it is just another reason to vote for a party that does not use laws to their own advantage.

Does such a party really exist???, and there would not be many TV posters eligible to vote

[rmacdon61]

People with visible religious tattoos who engaged in "bad behavior" such as "sitting drinking alcohol and arguing" would damage the faiths through association, Mr Niphit said.

Ummm... don't we always see TONS of Thais everywhere with religious tattoos engaged in various forms of "bad behavior"? Granted, the religious tattoos that Thais get are usually different from the ones that farangs get, such as religious symbols or text scriptures... but still... Double standard here?

Really? Double standard in Thailand between farang and ThaI?? Thai and hill tribe??? Tell me it ain't sooooooo????????????