What's With The Shirtless Foreigners In Bkk?

[hughben]

My first trip back to Bangkok in a year was in February and apart from noticing price increases and the influx of Russians, I noticed more foreigners walking around with their tops (t-shirt/shirt) off.

It looked ridiculous. They looked like idiots.

Pattaya, I can understand, but Bangkok?

Would they do it in the main tourist areas of London or Paris?

One doesn't need to imagine what the Thais think about it.

Edited March 25, 2013 by LivinginKata
copyright photo removed

[balo]

Well at least it makes it easier for us to pick out the russians.....

They sit shirtless inside the food court in central festival , Pattaya, and dont care about what other people might think . Now the same in Bangkok.

Edited March 25, 2013 by balo

[Payboy]

Gotta admit, those shades are quite cool.

[luap]

walking brain dead, no respect for Thai culture

[thaicbr]

walking brain dead, no respect for Thai culture

So it would be OK if they had their t-shirts hitched up around their chest... ala Thai?

[ihunnieibee]

Lol I would have laughed at them but honestly I've yet to get the pleasure of seeing anyone walking around without a shirt on in Bangkok except some homeless Thai guy around Klong Toey, but I've also saw his pubes and other things because his shorts don't fit...

[luap]

We know a lot of people want to top up their tan at every possible opportunity but walking in public without a shirt is not the custom in Thailand. Not wearing a shirt at the beach or swimming pool is fine but away from these locations, you should wear a shirt. The Thais are tolerant of westerners ignoring this custom but you will make a better impression if you respect it.

It is not normal for women to sunbathe topless. At some private swimming pools, it may be okay. At most beaches it is not acceptable (it is actually illegal) although some foreign tourists do it. Again, Thais will be tolerant and may well joke about it but they really do not like it.

http://www.knowphuket.com/thaiculture.htm

[bartender100]

Its up to the Thai's, if security guards in shopping places don't tell them, or anyone in authority on the streets, they will continue to do it as they don't know better, most of them being first time travelers

I just have a little smile when i see it in shops, even saw a guy in Friendship supermarket recently, nobody said anything to him

[MaxPag]

I don't know, if Thais all wear t-shirts, how it do not come to the mind of people that it is not acceptable to wander in the city topless. It is true that some people are clueless, so, there should be signs or people telling them, although I think you shouldn't do what you cannot do in your country into an other country.

Edited March 25, 2013 by MaxPag

[eeeya]

Then There is the "bare foot hippies" I've seen a few of them wandering around with no shoes and blacker than black soles of their feet.

Frigging disgusting

Saw one at Askoe last week. White robes and carrying a drum

[Marlow999]

walking brain dead, no respect for Thai culture

So it would be OK if they had their t-shirts hitched up around their chest... ala Thai?

Yes, it would be an improvement.

[transam]

walking brain dead, no respect for Thai culture

So it would be OK if they had their t-shirts hitched up around their chest... ala Thai?

Yes, it would be an improvement.

IF they had a Nike logo on their flip flops too. ...............................

[rubberduck]

What do you mean with 'Thai culture' ? If already there is such as 'Thai culture' the Thais themselves are the least who show any respect for there 'culture'. Supposed you mean their way of life 100 years ago. In my opinion the degenerated 'Thai culture' (fake smiles, fake showing of respect etc.) is not really something that calls for showing respect. And why respect them if they don't respect you ? But, apart from this, this kind of tourists indeed are brainless crap and behave like crap, wherever they go. I hate them.

[transam]

What do you mean with 'Thai culture' ? If already there is such as 'Thai culture' the Thais themselves are the least who show any respect for there 'culture'. Supposed you mean their way of life 100 years ago. In my opinion the degenerated 'Thai culture' (fake smiles, fake showing of respect etc.) is not really something that calls for showing respect. And why respect them if they don't respect you ? But, apart from this, this kind of tourists indeed are brainless crap and behave like crap, wherever they go. I hate them.

Cheap flights, cheap hotels, more money in E.Europeans pockets, Spain has police that do their job, nooooooooo not shirt wise, with other stuff. .

[jbrain]

Would they do it in the main tourist areas of London or Paris?

I would doubt that at this time of the year.

[I Like Thai]

Well at least it makes it easier for us to pick out the russians.....

They sit shirtless inside the food court in central festival , Pattaya, and dont care about what other people might think . Now the same in Bangkok.

The shirtless wonders were roaming around Thai streets long before the influx of Russians occured

[hughben]

Would they do it in the main tourist areas of London or Paris?

I would doubt that at this time of the year.

Have you ever experienced Leeds Utd fans?

[Ijustwannateach]

Not 100% sure, but I think that technically it may even be illegal to be shirtless in public in BKK- of course, often honoured more in the breach (street & market labourers don't seem bothered to care)- but still....

I think it's all part of the perception of Thailand as 'Holidayland' by these tourists.

[montrii]

I hate to say this, and this may be my first really bad post, but: who gives a <Snip!>?

Leave them alone. If they can't figure it out, someone else will, and they'll get comeuppance somehow. There's nothing horribly wrong with shirts off. It's freedom, mon, you don't get that?

Edited March 25, 2013 by metisdead
: Profanity

[thrilled]

Theres A bunch of low farangs coming to Thailand.I imagine the authorities could do something about it in Bangkok if they wanted to.I believe it is A little discusting to see.But to me I think wearing

Sandels is also disgusting.I know i'm stepping on peoples toes with that remark. Won't be the first time.

[xen]

If you have a body full of tatts that have cost a pretty penny , plus the cost of the roids, then you have to get return on your investment and show them off. Otherwise it may be less chav / bogan to keep the shirt on.

[longstebe]

There's more things to worry about. Just let them be.

[Pool Villarer]

Theres A bunch of low farangs coming to Thailand.I imagine the authorities could do something about it in Bangkok if they wanted to.I believe it is A little discusting to see.But to me I think wearing

Sandels is also disgusting.I know i'm stepping on peoples toes with that remark. Won't be the first time.

So the population of South-East Asia then?

[Pool Villarer]

It's disgusting,especially when the Thais have gone to all that trouble of printing up a myriad of designs for the 2013 Spring/Summer collection of wife-beaters,wear your favourite Thai beer with pride I say!

Bruce Bogano and Carlos Cheapetti are my favourite designers!

[MAJIC]

Personally I don't like to see it,it's pretty degrading,but having said that,plenty of Thais walk around the villages with no shirt on!

[Dancealot]

I hate to say this, and this may be my first really bad post, but: who gives a <Snip!>?

Leave them alone. If they can't figure it out, someone else will, and they'll get comeuppance somehow. There's nothing horribly wrong with shirts off. It's freedom, mon, you don't get that?

Aaah. You are 1 of THEM...

[Payboy]

I'm afraid I can't go shirtless cos my singlet tan lines would show.

[longstebe]

Personally I don't like to see it,it's pretty degrading,but having said that,plenty of Thais walk around the villages with no shirt on!

Bit different to the streets of bkk in all fairness.

[pitrevie]

One walked into my coffee shop with his T shirt rolled up to revealing either an advanced pregnancy or a revolting paunch. Why on earth he should want to expose this I am at a loss to understand. However it is similar behaviour to those who stroll along the beach in Pattaya wearing the briefest costume possible. It used to be said that if you've got it flaunt it, now sadly the opposite is true.

[impulse]

Not 100% sure, but I think that technically it may even be illegal to be shirtless in public in BKK- of course, often honoured more in the breach (street & market labourers don't seem bothered to care)- but still....

I think it's all part of the perception of Thailand as 'Holidayland' by these tourists.

Nah.

Otherwise we would have seen some rants on here about getting scammed by the police on Sukhumvit for not wearing a shirt.

I can't imagine they'd scam fine so many good people for tossing cigarette butts, but not take the opportunity to fine them for another "crime", if going shirtless were illegal.

Then again, maybe the BIB can clean up the situation and pocket a little more money. Win-Win.

Edited March 26, 2013 by impulse