Phuket: Govt wants Youtube sex spoof removed

BANGKOK: -- The government plans to ask YouTube to remove a video clip mocking the sex industry in Thailand.

The clip is a parody of a commercial for the Rosetta Stone foreign language learning programme. The spoof was produced by popular American late-night television show Saturday Night Live.

In the video, foreigners are interested in learning the Thai language so they know how to say things like, "How much?", "Is that for the whole night?" or "How can I take off your clothes?" in Thai.

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Culture Minister Sonthaya Khunploem said on Monday that the Culture Watch Centre is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an effort to have the video removed from the world's most popular video sharing website.

The government will also inform the United States embassy that the commercial spoof is tarnishing Thailand's image and will ask the embassy to explain the situation to the producer of Saturday Night Live, Mr Sonthaya said.

The parody has drawn many negative responses from both Thai and foreign netizens on YouTube.

Most Thai internet users were not impressed with the video, saying the joke is too harsh and not at all funny.

An internet user posted in Thai, "The Americans behave like this and this is why they're bombing their country."

"Even though it might be true, the producers should not offend Thailand this way," another Thai commented.

As for foreign netizens, some commented that people should not take the spoof too seriously but most were disappointed with it.

Source: The Phuket News/Agencies/BKK Post http://www.thephuket...moved-36805.php

-- 2013-02-04

SNL skit besmirches good name of Thailand sex tourism industry

By Shane Danaher

BANGKOK: -- Though it seemed as if the final death knell had long ago sounded for Saturday Night Live’s cultural relevance, in the past two weeks the US late-night institution has managed to shake some of the cobwebs from its latter-season somnambulance and create a minor-league international incident.

In a sketch that aired a week ago, SNL ribbed on Thailand’s sexual tourism industry in the form of a fake “Rosetta Stone” advertisement that offered to teach American tourists such Thai phrases as “How much?” and “Is that for the whole night?”

You know what, just check it out below: [more...]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=buPJ6Qr-tw8

Full story: http://www.coconutsbangkok.com/news/snl-skit-besmirches-good-name-of-thailand-sex-tourism-industry/

-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2013-02-04

Breaking News: Ministry of Culture will offer free English lessons to sex workers to improve reputation

he he, video was funny.. and ask how mutch, goes for everything in this country,, maybe the thais should teach their people not to ask 3 times the prices instead , like they do on almoust all you want buy something outside from food shop.. Is to late to change the image, Every grown up over 17 years in western Europe knows what going onin sex buisness in Thailand anyway..Anoher issue is Americans, they hardly know they have 52 states..

You could say this is equally offensive to American males. The idea that American males go to countries like Thailand to pay for sex?

I think we can all agree the sex industry is big here and lines the pockets very well for some people.

You can't have your cake 'and' eat it.

Phuket: Govt wants Youtube sex spoof removed

Wrong again.

It should read Thai people want spoof Prime Minster removed.

Personally I thought the spoof was absolutely hilarious and not offensive,.

It's all in the minds of the persons viewing the clip nothing else, small minded and a gross misinterpretation of what is said leading to less educated and language challenged people reading the wrong implications into phrases.

Edited February 4, 201313 yr by siampolee

SNL hasn't been culturally irrelevant at all. Especially during election seasons, which in the USA are very, very LONG, SNL parodies are very popular and very culturally relevant.

The government will also inform the United States embassy that the commercial spoof is tarnishing Thailand's image and will ask the embassy to explain the situation to the producer of Saturday Night Live, Mr Sonthaya said.

If they think SNL is going to broadcast some kind of apology, they've got another think coming. The target audience of SNL is AMERICANS. So clips end up on youtube. Big deal. SNL is a commercial enterprise and the hurt feelings of some thin skinned Thai people is none of their business.

Why do foreign more repressive governments fail to realize that in open media societies the media is not endorsed by the government? This reminds me of the insanity over the anti-Muslim video that sparked riots, with people blaming the American government for that.

Another Thai who is outraged about something that happens in another country? Maybe Saturday Night Life should apologize...NOT!

Thailand has to come to terms with a simple fact: this IS the picture, many people abroad have about Thailand!

It is not about temples and food, elephants or beaches alone....

awwww...diddums on wittle thailand...

The truth hurts.

If you can't be bothered to address the causes, you really have no justification to be jerking your knees at the consequences.

Thai people often tell foreigners that we can't ever possibly understand Thai politics and culture (so don't even try and certainly don't comment or criticize).

Wouldn't it be rich if the U.S. ambassador responded to the complaints by saying, you can't possibly understand American humor!

That's pretty damned funny!

All those TAT campaign funds, wasted really.

They expect the US Embassy to do something about it? They're probably laughing their <deleted> off also. There are so many much worse videos on YouTube regarding the night life. Are they going after all of them too?

I wonder why the upstanding person of pure virtue didn't ban this you tube video?

Most Thai internet users were not impressed with the video, saying the joke is too harsh and not at all funny.

Truth hurts hey. Obviously never saw the ladyboy sketches on Little Britain. Get your head out of the sand Thailand and learn to laugh at yourself or prove to the world that sex tourism doesn't exist in your country. Or fake Rolexs

SNL hasn't been culturally irrelevant at all. Especially during election seasons, which in the USA are very, very LONG, SNL parodies are very popular and very culturally relevant.

The government will also inform the United States embassy that the commercial spoof is tarnishing Thailand's image and will ask the embassy to explain the situation to the producer of Saturday Night Live, Mr Sonthaya said.

If they think SNL is going to broadcast some kind of apology, they've got another thing coming. The target audience of SNL is AMERICANS. So clips end up on youtube. Big deal. SNL is a commercial enterprise and the hurt feelings of some thin skinned Thai people is none of their business.

Why do foreign more repressive governments fail to realize that in open media societies the media is not endorsed by the government? This reminds me of the insanity over the anti-Muslim video that sparked riots, with people blaming the American government for that.

If they think this video is something, just wait until the SNL gang find out about these idiots reaction. Can't wait for the next video.

Breaking News: Ministry of Culture will offer free English lessons to sex workers to improve reputation

Thats funny!

Firstly I've watched it and found it very funny. I've never had any contact with sex workers so I have no experience of it. It seems to also poke fun at foreigners (Americans in this case but it applies to all) who have such shallow views and have to pay for sex so maybe they should complain as well.

Prostitution is illegal in Thailand so the only reason there is anything to make fun of is because Thai authorities fail to enforce their own laws. Why don't they enforce the law? Well I can only guess based on what I've heard as I'm not close enough to know but maybe someone else can correct me if I'm wrong. There are influential people who make money out of the sex workers. That might be the police, politicians and others of high standing. Thailand seems to have this reputation as an easy place to buy sex which presumably is why some come here. If that number is substantial then the lack of enforcement helps bring in those tourists which the kingdom would lose and have to replace. Does Thailand want and can it afford to lose them or not?

Making a fuss about this isn't going to help when Thailand is so hypocritical as it seems to be about many things. This isn't about Thai culture as this was done in the USA. Thais can complain if they wish as that's the idea behind free speech but they can't force their views on people in other countries. Remember I only found out about this because Thai officials decided to complain. If you can't stop it just let it go and don't worry about it. I think that's some sort of Buddhist teaching isn't it? Odd that Thais are Buddhist but forget this when it suits them, as is often the case from what I've seen.

It's usually good politics in Thailand, or any country really, to deflect blame to foreign countries for problems and national weaknesses of their OWN making.

Edited February 4, 201313 yr by Jingthing

Firstly I've watched it and found it very funny. I've never had any contact with sex workers so I have no experience of it. It seems to also poke fun at foreigners (Americans in this case but it applies to all) who have such shallow views and have to pay for sex so maybe they should complain as well.

Prostitution is illegal in Thailand so the only reason there is anything to make fun of is because Thai authorities fail to enforce their own laws. Why don't they enforce the law? Well I can only guess based on what I've heard as I'm not close enough to know but maybe someone else can correct me if I'm wrong. There are influential people who make money out of the sex workers. That might be the police, politicians and others of high standing. Thailand seems to have this reputation as an easy place to buy sex which presumably is why some come here. If that number is substantial then the lack of enforcement helps bring in those tourists which the kingdom would lose and have to replace. Does Thailand want and can it afford to lose them or not?

Making a fuss about this isn't going to help when Thailand is so hypocritical as it seems to be about many things. This isn't about Thai culture as this was done in the USA. Thais can complain if they wish as that's the idea behind free speech but they can't force their views on people in other countries. Remember I only found out about this because Thai officials decided to complain. If you can't stop it just let it go and don't worry about it. I think that's some sort of Buddhist teaching isn't it? Odd that Thais are Buddhist but forget this when it suits them, as is often the case from what I've seen.

Well, well, well I finally found someone else living in thailand other than me that has never had contact with a sex worker . We are few and far between my friend.

The culture minister has no other more urgent worries?

sex spoof? i have seen it twice and there is no direct allusion to sex or the sex trade.

I personally did not find it that funny. It lacked any real subtlety or originality and smacked of a cheap shot.

That said, i now pretend i am German when i am out and about in Bangkok. It is working for me, though it sucks having to get out of bed at six every morning to throw a towel over my sun lounger.

Well, well, well I finally found someone else living in thailand other than me that has never had contact with a sex worker . We are few and far between my friend.

That you know of.

They are out there, sneaking about...incognito...some even dress like men....or is it the other way around.

i thought there was 3 previous threads on this topic?

Google "fake watches" and Bangkok and Patong top the list

Google "bar girls" and Udon Thani, Krabi, Hua Hin and Pattaya top the list

Google "prostitutes" and Pattaya and Chiang Mai top the list.

Google "murder godfather" and the minister's father tops the list.

Mr. Sonthaya Khunploem - when you talk with Eric Schmidt you might like to bring this up with him also.......

Thai people often tell foreigners that we can't ever possibly understand Thai politics and culture (so don't even try and certainly don't comment or criticize).

Wouldn't it be rich if the U.S. ambassador responded to the complaints by saying, you can't possibly understand American humor!

you mean like the Brits do?

Simple solution. Stop the sex trade, and Thailand will cease being the butt of jokes as the prostitute capital of the world.

Ooops that would cost Thailand billions of baht, cannot have that. Guess better to complain to America and press You Tube

to stop showing the clip. Sort of shows the lack of understanding Thailand has about free speech. The clip was not really that

funny, they could have done a lot better if they tried harder.