The midweek rant: Red roses not red faces - tourist shaming a massive own goal for Thai authorities.

[webfact]

The midweek rant: Red roses not red faces - tourist shaming a massive own goal for Thai authorities.

 

 

The absolutely pathetic shaming of an Englishman and his Thai Go-Go companion in a Pattaya short time sex room this week beggared belief.

 

District chief Naris Niramaiwong was banging on the door of the room above the Windmill Bar and was then pictured inside the gaudy room with the 62 year old tourist and his legal age companion. The police were there too. The military were there.

 

And of course the photographers were there – this was nothing but a photo opportunity but if Khun Naris thinks he came out with any kudos for this disgraceful escapade into private business between two consenting adults then he can think again.

 

All he succeeded in doing was looking like a complete idiot.

 

Now people can bang on about prostitution, older men sleeping with younger woman, all that goes on in Pattaya blah, blah, as much as they like. That is just a smokescreen.

 

The fact remains that this was nothing short of embarrassing.

 

And frankly, it looks ten times more embarrassing in the end for the municipal chief and law enforcement than even the hapless couple who had to scurry to find their clothes under the glare of the intrusive lights.

 

And all on Valentine’s Day – you couldn’t make it up! Why not show some love and respect and leave the people alone?

 

We are used to seeing Thai civil servants from the top down appearing on the news pages making it look as though they are doing their job. But to go to a short time room in Pattaya – just one mind you – in this manner on the pretext of working was a massive own goal.

 

What does he think goes on in Pattaya? Or in countless other places in Thailand for that matter. It ranked up there with tourism minister Khun Kobkarn Wattanavarangkul’s pronouncements in July last year that she was going to end the sex trade.

 

But while the minister’s campaign died an immediate death and her sanity was questioned, at least she only embarrassed herself. In her favor, maybe she genuinely believed what she was saying. Not for her walking in on tourists in private then plastering the pictures all over the internet. She also probably learnt something about who the people are who really drive the sex trade.

 

Naris thought he would look good and the public would be assured that the officials were doing their job.

 

Absurd.

 

If he had any remote interest in that how about mobilize a task force and get some concrete results in arresting some snatch thieves? Or better still get your military buddies to follow through on the police extortion cases in the resort that have been so conveniently shelved as if we have all forgotten.

 

Anything would have been better than this charade.

 

Even doing what the Bangkok force did in Khao San Road on Tuesday and hand out some red roses to the tourists of Walking Street would have been better for your image and those of your lackeys than this unseemly spectacle.

 

Please don’t hide behind the veneer that the law was being broken at the Windmill. Fine the owner if you must but even that would rank as pathetic in most people’s eyes given the reputation of the resort.

 

Just leave the tourists and their companions out of your little games. They were not charged – ergo they had broken no laws.

 

Both deserve a public apology from you Mr District Chief.

 

In private, away from the cameras, OK?

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-02-15

[bannork]

Why print the story then if it's so shameful?

[tifino]

because the invaders forgot to dress up like a Khalwat Squad 

[rkidlad]

The author has a point but this is what many officials do. They might make a bust on something that people know is going on all the time right in front of their noses. They let it happen because they profit from it. Going after a tourist and a prostitute is counter productive in a place like Pattaya. There are love motels and naughty karaoke places all over Thailand. People know what they're there for. 

 

It seems to be popular news when a tourist does something stupid or inappropriate. People love to go online and judge 'cos the dumb tourist did something 'offensive'. Most of the time it's just a sanctimonious ego boost. Go to any touristy place in the world and tourists are doing dumb stuff. It's not a good idea to make it into a big spectacle. Tourists do dumb stuff from Paris to Cancun. It can be expected. Deal with them appropriately but don't make it a 'us Vs. them' thing. If you don't like tourists, stop catering to them. Or, keep shaming them with sensationalist headlines and see the numbers drop. You can't have the tourists' money without some of the problems that come with tourists. It's catch 22.  

[yellowboat]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

if Khun Naris thinks he came out with any kudos for this disgraceful escapade into private business between two consenting adults then he can think again.

 

Thai officialdom is mostly pathetic, disgraceful and silly.  The bar has been rather low for decades.

 

20 minutes ago, champers said:

It is so shameful that TV started a thread on it in the Pattaya forum yesterday. Click bait to keep advertisers happy.

 

I am happy

[elgordo38]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

And all on Valentine’s Day – you couldn’t make it up! Why not show some love and respect and leave the people alone?

My guess is the criminals took Valentines day off as well. Lean pickins. 

[elgordo38]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Naris thought he would look good and the public would be assured that the officials were doing their job.

Kind of an opposite reaction move. Cops, military cameraman. Almost has the makins of a bad movie you know the adult kind. Lights camera action. 

[elgordo38]

42 minutes ago, bannork said:

Why print the story then if it's so shameful?

Slow news day a filler. Criminals spent their day with their valentines as well. They have feelings to you know. 

Edited February 15, 2017 by elgordo38

[ELVIS123456]

Yet even more validation of the anti-farang anti-expat mentality that is making more and more of us leave, and less and less of us come (so to speak). To say it is stupid to make a media story out of a silly old sexpat and will scare off others is irrelevent, because the Thai authorities will continue to go about srewing up their best 'industries'.  What sexpat will not think after seeing this, and all the growing stories about thefts and crimes, that maybe the 'gig is up' in Thailand, and it is time to look for somewhere else next time. Cambodia, Phillipines, Indonesia/Bali, Vietnam are all working at 'allowing' their industry to grow. Thai Govt just cant seem to know when to leave things alone (nor when or how to deal with something now). 

[Nielsk]

1 hour ago, bannork said:

Why print the story then if it's so shameful?

The story is all ready out  !  Good to shaming that District chief Naris Niramaiwong for his rude behavior   !!!

That's why  !!

[bannork]

3 minutes ago, Nielsk said:

The story is all ready out  !  Good to shaming that District chief Naris Niramaiwong for his rude behavior   !!!

That's why  !!

Out on Thai Visa well before this article.

[brain150]

8 minutes ago, ELVIS123456 said:

To say it is stupid to make a media story out of a silly old sexpat ...

So, what makes him silly or old or what is a sexpat ?

Do you even know him, have ever talked to him or know anything about his education ?

 

You are just a silly fool who is falling for this propaganda !!! And you have no respect for other people.

What he does is completely up to him and you have no right to judge him.

He has a right to his privacy and as such you might want to make fun of the article but not of the victim of this propaganda stunt !

[Ralf61]

17 minutes ago, ELVIS123456 said:

Yet even more validation of the anti-farang anti-expat mentality that is making more and more of us leave, and less and less of us come (so to speak).

Yea, most of my farang buddies take Cambodia/Vietnam into account as a place for retirement, meanwhile....

[Prbkk]

If the Minister wants to reflect on the tourist experience, perhaps she might pay a visit to BKK . Arriving a couple of days ago: complete chaos, immigration queues ( if chaos can be called that) snaking out back onto the concourse and for most people probably a 30 + minute wait.

A bit less moralising and a bit more investment in the tourist experience is in order.

[Dave67]

I wonder what he expected to find in a short time room. Looks like he Anticlimaxed

[jgold]

They seem so proud when they catch a foreigner doing anything wrong.

[Gandtee]

One wonders which one of these uniformed idiots has not used the services of a willing lady and how many of them have a mia noi? They should hang their heads in shame. A loss of face? What face. 

[Thingamabob]

Pathetic performance by the Thai police. Useless bunch of jerks.

[Brer Fox]

This sort of thing gives Pattaya a bad name.

[Jonmarleesco]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

All he succeeded in doing was looking like a complete idiot.

 

What does he think goes on in Pattaya? Or in countless other places in Thailand for that matter. It ranked up there with tourism minister Khun Kobkarn Wattanavarangkul’s pronouncements in July last year that she was going to end the sex trade.

Upholding Thai tradition, then. The ability to present oneself as a complete idiot, with aplomb, is a precursor for any job in Thai government.

 

I seem to recall several years ago one female politician's Pattaya quote: there is no sex trade. Directly behind her was framed the sign for the All Cock and Pussy Bar.

[Jonmarleesco]

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

Pathetic performance by the Thai police. Useless bunch of jerks.

Jerks being the operative word.

[zaZa9]

Well written.

Of course Khun Naris and his ilk dont give a flying , or are even aware of what western media has to say about them.

[wakeupplease]

Question is the money that short in supply that anything goes to being in Foreign currency

 

na just the way I think I expect

[The manic]

The action of the non elected authorities was a disgrace. Bullies with boots and bayonets.  Shameful and shaming.  The purpose of an army is to defend the country.,especially the borders from. external enemies not bully street traders.  baht bus drivers and their passengers and not try to humiliate tourists and local sex workers.  The incident sums up the dark incompetence that underpins unelected military governments in Africa, South America and Asia.  Nonsense backed by a gun. 

[The manic]

13 hours ago, Prbkk said:

If the Minister wants to reflect on the tourist experience, perhaps she might pay a visit to BKK . Arriving a couple of days ago: complete chaos, immigration queues ( if chaos can be called that) snaking out back onto the concourse and for most people probably a 30 + minute wait.

A bit less moralising and a bit more investment in the tourist experience is in order.

One and a half hour waiting with 50% of passport booths empty.  Arab style customs clearance.  I dread arriving here as much as Riyadh or Dharan. I enjoy my life here but I have recommended my friends and family not to visit here.  Just too much hassle, bars closing too early, restaurants in Bangkok closing at 10pm, street markets and vendors including food stall destroyed - over 15000 stalls driven off the streets, pop up bars closed down,-the heart and soul of the cites torn out and cities like CM basically under occupation by hostile forces with bars and nightclubs shutting at 11   or 12. Its just so sad. The authorities do not want Thailand to be Thailand.  They want a Chinese style Singapore model or a robotic North Korean systen and the, 25,million dark-skinned  Thais to be utterly oppressed and disenpowered. 

[JB300]

Yet even more validation of the anti-farang anti-expat mentality that is making more and more of us leave, and less and less of us come (so to speak). To say it is stupid to make a media story out of a silly old sexpat and will scare off others is irrelevent, because the Thai authorities will continue to go about srewing up their best 'industries'.  What sexpat will not think after seeing this, and all the growing stories about thefts and crimes, that maybe the 'gig is up' in Thailand, and it is time to look for somewhere else next time. Cambodia, Phillipines, Indonesia/Bali, Vietnam are all working at 'allowing' their industry to grow. Thai Govt just cant seem to know when to leave things alone (nor when or how to deal with something now). 

True about other SEA countries growing their Tourist industries but at the same time places like the Philippines have clamped down massively on Prostitution (largely driven by a threat from the US of removing aid if it didn't do something about Human Trafficking) & it's far more low key (local) in other countries so you can see why Thailand would like to make it less "in your face".

Having said that, shaming some poor old dude isn't the way to go about it.

[JB300]

One and a half hour waiting with 50% of passport booths empty.  Arab style customs clearance.  I dread arriving here as much as Riyadh or Dharan. I enjoy my life here but I have recommended my friends and family not to visit here.  Just too much hassle, bars closing too early, restaurants in Bangkok closing at 10pm, street markets and vendors including food stall destroyed - over 15000 stalls driven off the streets, pop up bars closed down,-the heart and soul of the cites torn out and cities like CM basically under occupation by hostile forces with bars and nightclubs shutting at 11   or 12. Its just so sad. The authorities do not want Thailand to be Thailand.  They want a Chinese style Singapore model or a robotic North Korean systen and the, 25,million dark-skinned  Thais to be utterly oppressed and disenpowered. 

Lol, from your description, you'd like Thailand to be more like Singapore...

World's #1 Airport (for umpteen years), Immigration a breeze, clubs open till 5-6am, can get food 24x7 the only downside is that comes with an expensive price tag.

[the guest]

Foreigners are not on same level as Thais, and as such it is acceptable to treat them as second-class (as they often do). Remember, you are only useful to Thais when you have money. Other than that you have no status. Foreigners are shamed both in Schools, Tv, and public places ... to demonstrate to Thais that We are the 'bad farang'. This kind of behaviour has been going on for decades.

[daveAustin]

A bunch of aholes. Specifically targeting foreigners for photo op while avoiding Thai on Thai 'activities' - 90%+ of Thai sex trade! How many of these twerps in uniform get up to this kind of thing then? Any Thai bashing is thoroughly deserved with this carry-on.

[mok199]

this only drives the ''wedge''between thais and foreingers deeper...

Edited February 16, 2017 by mok199