Embracing the ‘Thainess’ may win free entry to tourist attractions
By Coconuts Bangkok


ABOVE: Internet personality Mezs Mussamont, famous for scooting around town in traditional costume, shops at Central Chidlom in this April 8 photo. Photo: Mezs Mussamont

BANGKOK: -- A fad for dressing in nostalgic, traditional costume may get more encouragement in the form of free stuff.

Beside shopping mall discounts, those sporting traditional Thai garb could also get free access to tourist attractions under a plan proposed by the Ministry of Culture.

To fuel the idea that dressing old-school Thai is cool, the ministry is identifying more ways to motivate people to keep it alive, and one of those is giving free access to some museums and archaeological sites.

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/04/29/embracing-thainess-may-win-free-entry-tourist-attractions


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2015-04-29

I think that changing the wording from "Thainess" to "Thai Culture" would portray a better image!! "Thainess" seems to conjure up a not-so-wholesome, negative aspect.

Is cheating and over pricing every farang that you can is the other side of Thainess. Ask the taxi at the airport.

Looks like she started something of a trend among hi-sos.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/131921/traditional-thai-dress-makes-a-dramatic-comeback/

The Lao do this as well but in a different way - if you are foreign female and need to deal with Lao civil servants, you have to respect Lao culture and dress properly - if you are a woman, that means wearing a "sin" or Lao long skirt/dress. If you don't, the civil servants won't deal with you.

Will they also give a bonus for throwing garbage everywhere you sit in a national park? That is truely Thai... Then I will stop cleaning up behind them as I usually do.

Is cheating and over pricing every farang that you can is the other side of Thainess. Ask the taxi at the airport.

Next time dress up in a thai national costume, it shows you are supporting the Thai culture and you might get free entrance to a Thai attraction....

I will honor this idea, when they go back to walking around the villages top-less!

I will honor this idea, when they go back to walking around the villages top-less!

That's what I was thinking, I guess they only want to celebrate Thai culture post 1930. It is of course part of Thainess to pick and choose the bits of history they like.

I will honor this idea, when they go back to walking around the villages top-less!

I will honor this idea when the brain-less disappear from TVF.

Bribe the doorman?

Oh, &lt;deleted&gt; ... < slaps forehead emoticon >

I thought this was Thai National Dress !!

I will honor this idea, when they go back to walking around the villages top-less!

I will honor this idea when the brain-less disappear from TVF.

Then why are you still here?

I will honor this idea, when they go back to walking around the villages top-less!

I will honor this idea when the brain-less disappear from TVF.

Excellent idea, you first...

How demeaning. In places that respect Liberty a person can wear clothing consistent with their own culture.

Just an excuse for Thai-so's with nothing better to do with their time to be twee and patriotic. Blatant nationalism always does them proud. You don't like the status quo which supports my houses and cars? You're a traitor!

Looks like she started something of a trend among hi-sos.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/131921/traditional-thai-dress-makes-a-dramatic-comeback/

If they are going commando under those outfits then I am all for it

"To fuel the idea that dressing old-school Thai is cool, the ministry is identifying more ways to motivate people to keep it alive, and one of those is giving free access to some museums and archaeological sites."

Yep, 'cause what all the cool kids want is free entry to Museums and archaeological sites..

So if I get a lobotomy, free entrance to national parks?

. . . free access to some museums and archaeological sites.

Don't have a Thai costume, but maybe they would waive the entry fee for a living fossil. . .

So if I get a lobotomy, free entrance to national parks?

Ooh that's naughty.

is this OK or will I get arrested?

is this OK or will I get arrested?

18320430-men-traditional-royal-thai-costumes-phanom-rung-festival-thailand.jpg

The Shiva Nataraja is a nice touch.

So let me get this straight ... I can walk up to any tourist attraction and whisper in the ear of the ticket vendor to hand over 1,000 baht under the table and then he / she will hand over said graft and let me in for free. Then I'll also be able to ramble through any national park and treat it like a garbage dump and the Thais will then be delighted to have me as a foreigner in their country. Remarkable ... or remarkably Thai should I say.

Seriously can't these clowns come up with anything better?

I think that changing the wording from "Thainess" to "Thai Culture" would portray a better image!! "Thainess" seems to conjure up a not-so-wholesome, negative aspect.

They didn't use the word "Thainess", only Coconuts Bangkok did, because they know using that phrase in the headline will get tons of click and get the expats running to share their witty comments.

The Thai article Coconuts used as a source does not use "Thainess" in any form. It only talks about wearing Thai clothing. Coconuts Bangkok changed it to "Thainess" to get traffic for their site.

My Thai wife doesn't know what Thainess is.

We both understand Thai culture and respect and admire it.

I would like to see more of the traditional garb.

is this OK or will I get arrested?

18320430-men-traditional-royal-thai-costumes-phanom-rung-festival-thailand.jpg

The Shiva Nataraja is a nice touch.

Quite appropriate I think. Hindu god.

whenever I go to Russia I wear an Adidas track suit with gold chains and a tokarev pistol iny waistband...why not dress like a Thai transvestite? Sign me up.