Thai Govt Wants Youtube Sex Spoof Removed

[keemapoot]

This got extensive coverage this morning on the early news on Channel 3 TV by media mogul Sorayut and his female sidekick, Nong Bike. We were chuckling as Nong Bike was grinning ear-to-ear when presenting this story. She must know more about Thailand than most of the complaining authorities - and she is a prude by all appearances!

[tragickingdom]

Good to see that the Thai government still hasn't learned it's lessons. First we had Harry Nicolaides who had sold three books and became a celebrity after he was arrested, than we got a song about a rape that had to be removed and half the world took notice and I bet that this clip will go viral too. It is clear that you need deep pockets as a Thai policy maker but only half a brain.

[overdog]

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

A slight amendment is more appropriate: You can't have your cake and then pretend it doesn't exist.

[Mur]

I'll never forget a friend in BK telling me years ago that you only need to know 3 phrases. Mai ow, mai kaojai and mai mee tang

[bigbamboo]

Sadly for the Minister for Culture although Thailand is famous for it's temples, food, beaches and massages it is equally infamous for its prostititution, corrupt politicians, bent policemen and it's mafia........ as he knows only too well.

Edited February 4, 2013 by bigbamboo

[Pimay1]

Maybe the Thais can come up with a "Rosetta Stone video" with Thais learning English so they can find farang husbands ... finishing off the video with a katoey!

Better than that they can kill two birds with one stone.

Sunai Julphongsathorn, a Pheu Thai Party MP from Chum Saeng in Nakhon Sawan Province and the chairman of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs.

Sunai tells the audience of around 1,000 red shirts to find a farang husband for an easy life “because European governments give you everything for free.”

Sunai went on: “Get a German husband. Get a Swedish husband. Get a Norwegian husband. People used to love [Thailand] unreservedly. But the more they loved the country, the poorer they got. The more they loved the country, the stupider they got.”

“All you need is a farang husband and their government will pay you to study,” he said.

Even more controversially, he then implied that the best way to study a foreign language was by sleeping with a foreigner.

“Sitting studying is too slow. Lie down to study, then go to the hospital. They will pay you to have the baby… It’s all free, right up to the shitty diapers.”

[ecline]

Its not funny enough to be banned.....

[Thai at Heart]

Don't you just hate it when reality rears its ugly head from time-to-time?

BANGKOK (Reuters, AP) - Thailand yesterday banned a dictionary published by the British company Longman after it provoked government and public protests by describing Bangkok as a city known for its prostitutes.

A police special branch officer told reporters that Longman's Dictionary of English Language and Culture was banned as its Bangkok entry eroded the good moral standards of Thais. He said copies of the dictionary would be removed from bookstores.

It described Bangkok as a city known for its Buddhist temples and as 'a place where there are a lot of prostitutes'.

The Thai Foreign Ministry has demanded that Longman delete the offending reference, and said yesterday the company had apologised for offending the country and its people.

Della Summers from Longman said that her company 'understands the concern expressed by the Thai government in connection with the (Bangkok) entry'. She said the edition aimed 'to set words in their cultural context, and the connotations attached to the word Bangkok and commonly understood by native-speakers of English are drawn from books and magazines in our wordbank'.

Although the statement fell short of promising that Longman would delete the offending reference, it said the company would revise the dictionary at least once a year.

Abhisit Vejajjiva, a government spokesman, said defining Bangkok by its prostitution problem was like defining London by soccer hooliganism and Irish Republican Army attacks.

'We do not deny the existence of the problem. But we do not believe it should be used as the definition of this city,' Mr Abhisit said.

But others want Thailand to attack the problem, not the dictionary. 'The government should take action instead of just being ashamed of the international image of the country,' said Chantawipa Apisuk, head of a prostitutes' rights group.

Officials say there are some 80,000 prostitutes in the country, but unofficial counts are far higher. Twenty per cent of the prostitutes are thought to be under 18.

Ms Chantawipa said some unemployed young women are lured from villages with offers of secretarial jobs in Bangkok. Others are sold to brothels by impoverished parents. Many end up in bars, entertaining the tens of thousands of foreign tourists who visit every year.

Source: http://www.independe...ur-1483226.html

"Abhisit Vejajjiva, a government spokesman, said defining Bangkok by its prostitution problem was like defining London by soccer hooliganism and Irish Republican Army attacks."

What a moron. Is he on something or just plain ignorant ? So the scale of prostitution in BKK - which was very large even before the Second World War and very little to do with foreigners then - is mirrored by the scale of soccer hooliganism and/or IRA attacks in London ? Words fail me - absolutely unadulterated, weak-brained crap. What a tit.

Very large? How much of bangkok have you actually seen? There is not too much more than dozens of cities around the world. The difference is here its dressed up and sold to westerners very publicly.

Considering that 75% of it is aimed at locals, that's a bit of a stretch. I think the funniest thing about it, is that it is so absolutely slap bang downtown.

Some people go to the champs elysee, others regent street, but what exactly are the most famous things about downtown bangkok?

traffic jams, fake cds and lots of red lights by night. I mean honestly, silom, sukhimvit, and rachada, three of the best known roads in bangkok, all with their red light areas front and centre, with 5 star hotels all within a kilometre.

[Jingthing]

Everyone knows this is just stupid American humour. It damages peoples perceptions of the US not Thailand.

I wouldn't call it stupid humour but it is American humour and the target audience was Americans and indeed it was much more about making fun of American sex tourists than Thai people or Thailand. No it wasn't the funniest thing you're going to see but it was funny enough. Edited February 4, 2013 by Jingthing

[Melyn]

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.......

Seems you use another Google than the one I use. All wrong (of the above). Solution: Screenshots or 'shut-ups' please.

All 100% true

[johnlandy]

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..

The realm is paranoid about maintaining face. As you note the world knows what the country is famed for (and it is not temples) I am not going to compile an exhaustive list but commercial sex is way up there.

On the subject of the USA 'number of states' etc, are you really for real or just taking the pyss?

[Scott]

Posts violating Fair Use policy and replies have been deleted.

[12DrinkMore]

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.

[Bluespunk]

Oh, get over yourself Thailand. Sex is big business here, the whole world knows this. Yes it's true there is so much more here than that and most tourists don't venture into the flesh pits. However don't deny it exists and don't pretend everyone doesn't know about it.

[fxe1200]

The culture minister has no other more urgent worries?

...he is taking action!

Breaking news: The Culture Minister is setting up a panel to search for contemporary culture in Thailand. Thailand will become the East Asian Culture Hub. Therefore he freed six million Baht from the spoof government. The panel will first travel to Pattaya, then to Phuket. Also local artist i.e. from Bangkok Patong or Nana may contribute with their performances to make Thailand the perfect holiday destination for families.

[spidermike007]

Thailand does not address the causes. Simply not a part of their culture, which despite its many appealing qualities, may be one of the least introspective on earth. Looking within for solutions is simply not done here. Period. End of story. Always deflect. Never take responsibility.

[Tatsujin]

Good to see that the Thai government still hasn't learned it's lessons. First we had Harry Nicolaides who had sold three books and became a celebrity after he was arrested, than we got a song about a rape that had to be removed and half the world took notice and I bet that this clip will go viral too. It is clear that you need deep pockets as a Thai policy maker but only half a brain.

Nope, no brain needed whatsoever. In fact I think that is one of the main criteria for electing politicians here, along with the desire to screw over anyone and everyone as long as you get rich of course.

[Suffinator]

Tarnish it image of Thailand - is this joker for real? You could spend decades scrubbing this country and still the decades of grime will stick.

[unanimosity]

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....

Acting outraged will just fuel additional ribbing from media comedians. Anyway, the real problem may be that TAT will worry about some farangs being able to promote LOFS better than they can for far less budget. Case in point: Have you seen the latest Thai tourism commercial showing a foreigner, a single male in his late 30s or early 40s sitting alone and very close with a young Thai boy on an isolated dock? Could this be a case of misplaced judgment or could it be viewed as promoting underage sex tourism?

[skippybangkok]

Maybe time to make a spoof about US racism................

[rattler]

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!

Except outside of Thailand people are actually free to call a spade a spade, tough titties Thailand, youve muzzled Thai society and brainwashed the "loving public" but not the rest of the world.

[Tatsujin]

Have you seen the latest Thai tourism commercial showing a foreigner, a single male in his late 30s or early 40s sitting alone and very close with a young Thai boy on an isolated dock? Could this be a case of misplaced judgment or could it be viewed as promoting underage sex tourism?

could it be viewed as promoting underage sex tourism

. . . only in your head . . .

(sorry, couldn't resist)

[chooka]

Oh, get over yourself Thailand. Sex is big business here, the whole world knows this. Yes it's true there is so much more here than that and most tourists don't venture into the flesh pits. However don't deny it exists and don't pretend everyone doesn't know about it.

I didn't know about it

[Tatsujin]

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....

First they have to come to terms with the fact that they are NOT #1 in the World or even in Asia, despite what they might think and want to believe.

[Smee]

Funny clip, typically hypocritical, hysterical response from Thai politicians who can't see the wood for the trees and will use any excude to attack foreigners to create a smokescroon to cover their own incompetence and misdeeds..

The ads interspersed with the comments pretty much give the game away though....

Meet Pretty Thai Girl

www.idateasia.com

Hi I am Alisa from Thai & I want to Seek a Date.Reach Me Now!

I wonder is Alisa uses Rosetta stone too...

[shunima]

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.......

Seems you use another Google than the one I use. All wrong (of the above). Solution: Screenshots or 'shut-ups' please.

All 100% true

On google.co.th because this is what the rest of the world uses? You still owe me a shut up or maybe even two after your reply. Screenshots please to verify such nonsense.

[BuddhaMind]

I for one, living in Chiang Mai, heard nothing about this video until the government uproar. So then I watched it and I laughed. Very funny.

Thai hypocrisy does get a little annoying. I've experienced it countless times. Just annoying. And the funny thing about this minor uproar is, that the number of western men paying prostitutes in this country for sex doesn't even come close to the number of Thai men doing it. It's insane.

[pacovl46]

As much as I love Thailand, they need to seriously get over themselves and start to show some humor!!! I can't believe they involved the American embassy over this!!!

[Melyn]

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.......

Seems you use another Google than the one I use. All wrong (of the above). Solution: Screenshots or 'shut-ups' please.

All 100% true

On google.co.th because this is what the rest of the world uses? You still owe me a shut up or maybe even two after your reply. Screenshots please to verify such nonsense.

Its purely contextual.

If you spend your life searching for ladyboys then Google will remember that and tailor your personal searches accordingly.

I live in Thailand. This us a Thai expat site. If you live elsewhere then what are you masquerading as?

[unanimosity]

Thailand does not address the causes. Simply not a part of their culture, which despite its many appealing qualities, may be one of the least introspective on earth. Looking within for solutions is simply not done here. Period. End of story. Always deflect. Never take responsibility.

Now all somebody needs to do is pop in to the "perfectly normal massage venues" and snap a few pics of girls sitting around in the big glass showcase wearing big numbers and waiting to be chosen from the shelf of procurement.

If Thailand were truly outraged and not just posturing, would they not sue for defamation of culture? Have they blocked the youtube video in Thailand?

Edited February 4, 2013 by unanimosity