after 5 years in phuket, i can say that all foreigners who swim at the beaches here wear swimsuits.

but almost none of the thais do. instead they swim at the beaches wearing a full set of street clothes.

is this a cultural difference? is there any explanation? the whole thing seems odd to me.

(this does not happen in other countries.)

Five years in Thailand, and you asking us?

Are there 'Cultural differances' ... read the line above ...

Saves on laundry

Poor planning.

They knew they were going to the beach but forgot to take their cossie.

Or, scared of getting too much sun on their skin.

Or, natural shyness.

Or, indoctrination.

No complaints from me. I think a wet T-shirt is much sexier than a bikini.

Maybe you have not realised that Thai society is really very conservative- most women do not rush around in micro mini skirts.

It is quite normal for Thai families to splash about ( usually with a giant rubber ring ) fully clothed.

Gosh has taken 5 years?!

Personally I find it quite refreshing - if you think about the antics of types such as Beyonce in the West.

Oh dear- will get shot down on TV as being an old fashioned grandad ( seems to be flavour of the month at the moment)

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Maybe you have not realised that Thai society is really very conservative- most women do not rush around in micro mini skirts.

It is quite normal for Thai families to splash about ( usually with a giant rubber ring ) fully clothed.

Gosh has taken 5 years?!

Personally I find it quite refreshing - if you think about the antics of types such as Beyonce in the West.

Oh dear- will get shot down on TV as being an old fashioned grandad ( seems to be flavour of the month at the moment)

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

While I was out this weekend I saw almost no long pants/skirts and almost all shorts/short skirts. In Thailand 20 years ago pants were the norm.

Any local girl who looks good in a bikini wouldn't wear it to the beach, as her stilettos would get stuck in the sand and she wouldn't have a pole to hold on to.

Maybe you have not realised that Thai society is really very conservative- most women do not rush around in micro mini skirts.

It is quite normal for Thai families to splash about ( usually with a giant rubber ring ) fully clothed.

Gosh has taken 5 years?!

Personally I find it quite refreshing - if you think about the antics of types such as Beyonce in the West.

Oh dear- will get shot down on TV as being an old fashioned grandad ( seems to be flavour of the month at the moment)

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

While I was out this weekend I saw almost no long pants/skirts and almost all shorts/short skirts. In Thailand 20 years ago pants were the norm.

OK

Where were you.

All I say if you go to popular beaches such as Bang Saen ( not sure about spelling ) you won't see many Thais on their picnics rushing around in tiny bikinis in the sea.

Regards

Maybe you have not realised that Thai society is really very conservative- most women do not rush around in micro mini skirts.

It is quite normal for Thai families to splash about ( usually with a giant rubber ring ) fully clothed.

Gosh has taken 5 years?!

Personally I find it quite refreshing - if you think about the antics of types such as Beyonce in the West.

Oh dear- will get shot down on TV as being an old fashioned grandad ( seems to be flavour of the month at the moment)

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

While I was out this weekend I saw almost no long pants/skirts and almost all shorts/short skirts. In Thailand 20 years ago pants were the norm.

OK

Where were you.

All I say if you go to popular beaches such as Bang Saen ( not sure about spelling ) you won't see many Thais on their picnics rushing around in tiny bikinis in the sea.

Regards

Bang Saen is for isaan people. They don't even sell bikinis in isaan

OK

Where were you.

All I say if you go to popular beaches such as Bang Saen ( not sure about spelling ) you won't see many Thais on their picnics rushing around in tiny bikinis in the sea.

Bang Saen is for isaan people. They don't even sell bikinis in isaan

"They don't even sell bikinis in isaan"

Maybe a market opportunity?

Is it normal that European men wear socks with there sandals

My gf and her sisters have never owned a bathing suit, let alone a bikini. Never would show that much skin. And she, at 45, still has the bod for it.

Their norm

• (this does not happen in other countries.)

Yes it does, in many (MANY) countries which have a Muslim or Buddhist faith.

There is also the concern amongst both men and women to avoid the skin getting tanned by the sun.

Simon

PS- I also don't own a swimsuit (or bikini!). If I want to go swimming, then I swim in my shorts or jeans. I have a lovely white skin

Edited May 26, 201412 yr by simon43

OK

Where were you.

All I say if you go to popular beaches such as Bang Saen ( not sure about spelling ) you won't see many Thais on their picnics rushing around in tiny bikinis in the sea.

Bang Saen is for isaan people. They don't even sell bikinis in isaan

"They don't even sell bikinis in isaan"

Maybe a market opportunity?

I think some of the confused isaan boys wear them

Why should anyone worry about what others wear? In fact, I'm sitting naked as I post this and none of the BTS passengers have said anything so far.

perhaps i did not make it clear that my original question had a serious intent...?

why do thais almost never wear swimsuits when bathing in the sea?

why do thais almost never wear swimsuits when bathing in the sea?

I already answered your question. Their culture expects modesty in clothing when swimming and by covering up it helps to protect the skin from tanning.

Why should anyone worry about what others wear? In fact, I'm sitting naked as I post this and none of the BTS passengers have said anything so far.

Nothing to see?

Most Cambodians do, too.

okay, thank you for the few serious and infomative answers.

in the future i doubt i shall rely on this website, where the norm seems to be

irrelevant remarks and snappy rejoinders by clowns and <deleted>.

a lotta chaff but a few grains of wheat...

perhaps i did not make it clear that my original question had a serious intent...?

why do thais almost never wear swimsuits when bathing in the sea?

I can sum it up for you:

1. They don't want to be dark

2. They shy

3. They don't think they have the body for it (less self confident)

5. It is a culture thing (still inappropriate for a woman to show off her skin in public)

perhaps i did not make it clear that my original question had a serious intent...?

why do thais almost never wear swimsuits when bathing in the sea?

I can sum it up for you:

1. They don't want to be dark

2. They shy

3. They don't think they have the body for it (less self confident)

4. It is a culture thing (still inappropriate for a woman to show off her skin in public)

okay, thank you for the few serious and infomative answers.

in the future i doubt i shall rely on this website, where the norm seems to be

irrelevant remarks and snappy rejoinders by clowns and <deleted>.

a lotta chaff but a few grains of wheat...

I think you should maybe try chilling out sometime. I read through the posts and found your question answered several times and very informative the posts were too. After five years here I would have thought the answer would be staring you in the face. Remember also, a little humour along the way is good medicine.

Maybe you have not realised that Thai society is really very conservative- most women do not rush around in micro mini skirts.

It is quite normal for Thai families to splash about ( usually with a giant rubber ring ) fully clothed.

Gosh has taken 5 years?!

Personally I find it quite refreshing - if you think about the antics of types such as Beyonce in the West.

Oh dear- will get shot down on TV as being an old fashioned grandad ( seems to be flavour of the month at the moment)

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

While I was out this weekend I saw almost no long pants/skirts and almost all shorts/short skirts. In Thailand 20 years ago pants were the norm.

OK

Where were you.

All I say if you go to popular beaches such as Bang Saen ( not sure about spelling ) you won't see many Thais on their picnics rushing around in tiny bikinis in the sea.

Regards

Bang Saen is for isaan people. They don't even sell bikinis in isaan

Yes they do, I bought one last weekend at Khon Kaen zoo

why did you need a bikini?

India,the same,the ladies hit the water in Sari,s,the men in shirts,trousers,and shoes in some cases,the first time i saw it,i thought a ferry or something had sunk out at sea and these were the survivors struggling ashore.

Same in America.

why did you need a bikini?

Manboobs?

OH ... be thankful ... I was going to go with this ... http://anabolicminds.com/forum/attachments/%2049424d1323909344-aromatase-inhibitors-lower-photo-man-boobs.jpg%20.att