Koh Phangan locals call for action against naked foreigner's "Naughty Yoga" sessions

[steve73]

17 hours ago, tifino said:

 maybe it was a wai in the nuddy that finally got buddha angry?

Look - no Hands..!!

 

Perhaps they could only manage a Low wai, when a High wai was expected...?

[Kerryd]

It seems that as far as this story is concerned, there wasn't a problem with the small amount of nude sunbathing going on, until some decided to start doing "naked yoga" in public.
From what I've seen, many yoga poses are very "suggestive" even when the practitioners are clothed. Doing it naked would be about the same as "X" rated porn. You can bet the people doing the yoga are fully aware of that as well.
 

40 minutes ago, Chassa said:

No nudity in Thailand since the American missionaries made Thai ladies cover their breasts in the 1800's.

Actually, it was more likely the Japanese in the 1930/40s that had an influence. American Missionaries never made great progress in converting Thais. Women in urban areas (like Bangkok) had started dressing in more "Western" styles since the early part of the century, while women in the rural areas continues wearing more traditional attire (including being topless a lot).

However, the Thai Prime Minister at the time (Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram or "Luang Phibulsonggram") was friendly with the Japanese and supposedly was an admirer of Hitler.
He issued a series of Cultural Mandates including one (#10) that reads as follows:

Mandate 10

On Thai dress, issued 15 January 1941, consisted of two items:

 

1. "Thai people should not appear at public gatherings, in public places, or in city limits without being appropriately dressed. Inappropriate dress includes wearing only underpants, wearing no shirt, or wearing a wraparound cloth."

This 1900 portrait shows a Thai woman in a traditional costume that was deemed inappropriate after the laws on Thai dress were enacted in the early-1940s.

The Royal Gazette notice (in Thai): http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2484/A/113.PDF

That was around the same time as this poster was released:

 

It shows what the "traditional" dress was (on the left) and what it should be (on the right).

Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram was also the one who changed the country's name from Siam to Thailand in 1939 (although it apparently wasn't made official until after the war).

 
 

[Cereal]

Here's another idea. Charge them a hefty fee to go on the beach, say 500 baht, and charge Thais 5 baht to go on the beach but only if they have a phone or camera to take pics and videos to upload on the internet.

 

Oh yeah, heckling is not only allowed but encouraged. Lots of pointing too.

[Cereal]

Seriously though, one has to ask the motivation of the people: exhibitionism perhaps. If it's truly just an exercise, why is nudity necessary? If you wanna be naked and do yoga do it at home, throw on a suit and then head to the beach.

[Petchou]

18 hours ago, ezzra said:

If it wasn't for the million girly bars pubs, massage places, whore houses and all in between in Thailand, i would have agreed with the locals, but as such where modest beach nudity is the least obscene eye sore for some, eye candy for others, right now in Thailand, but what can you do when it's easy to be a hypocrite and play the pious person when your back yard is full of filth...

do you have enough brain to dusting between private and public place?

[Destiny1990]

Any videos ?

[Jimdandy]

I always wonder why don't people do this in their own country? Lay on the beach naked? Yes, Thailand has social issues just like other countries. Have you ever been to a real biker bar in the USA? It will blown your mind. Live sex, drugs and more so I don't see it as false piety, but rather as arrogant tourists who think because they are in another country that is not worthy of their respect they do not have to follow rules. Try it in Bahrain or Dubai and see what happens to you. Yes there are nude beaches in California and other shoreline states in the US. The difference is the local communities accept them. Here it is clearly that the local community does not want this. Why can't people respect local values. And if you don't understand the ambiguity, don't go or go home.

[Chris Lawrence]

16 hours ago, Cadbury said:

I read some time back the PM was once asked.... "should foreign women wear bikinis?". 

His alleged perplexing reply was......"only if they are not beautiful". 

Since these yoga participants were not wearing bikinis then it must be assumed by his discerning standards they were all stunningly beautiful. I wish I had been there. 

 

 

I think he said it brought up to much hormonal activity in young male Thai's. I think he was very hot and flustered, talking about the subject on the day. He may have had an attack of those young hormones just thinking about it.

[seabass69]

They should just ban yoga

[Dazinoz]

19 hours ago, ezzra said:

If it wasn't for the million girly bars pubs, massage places, whore houses and all in between in Thailand, i would have agreed with the locals, but as such where modest beach nudity is the least obscene eye sore for some, eye candy for others, right now in Thailand, but what can you do when it's easy to be a hypocrite and play the pious person when your back yard is full of filth...

Ah yes, but that is Thais doing their daily things not like us disgusting farang corrupting the innocent minds of Thais doing absolutely disgusting things like naked yoga on a beach.

[HHTel]

This scenario has nothing to do with sex.  Thai culture shows that it was quite normal for ladies to be topless.  Many of the Thai goddesses are naked from the waist up.  It wasn't many years ago that if you wandered out of the city it was quite normal to see topless women going about their daily chores.

It wasn't until Rama V in a desire to become more 'western' that it was encouraged for women to 'cover up'.  That started at the top (royalty, dignitaries etc) and it was a long time before the trait was taken up by the lower classes.

There is some hypocrisy being shown by the authorities and the locals.

 

Quote

I always wonder why don't people do this in their own country?

There are nudist/naturist beaches and areas all over Europe.  Even complete resorts.  (Even in the UK!) And it's completely acceptable.

[likerdup1]

In all fairness, ask yourself. When was the last time you saw a beach full of Thai women with Bikini's on? It is very rare even in Pattaya to see a Thai woman with a bikini on at the beach. They most usually have a full T shirt and shorts on. For whatever reason Thai's have been very modest for quite awhile and do not show their bodies much. Even Thai girl friends are reluctant to walk around nude in a private condo. For whatever reason the Thai culture is modest and most find it somewhat offensive to be nude in public. (also most western nations frown on nudity at beaches except when designated as such). Public shows of affections such as kissing are rarely done. Even hand holding is not something you see Thai couples do let alone kissing. Try to look for it. It is the FARANGS who are kissing in public. Yesterday I was at the Tesco and saw some Russian dude walked in with his Skido and a t-shirt on. The Tesco employees looked a little shocked. In my condo Thai's put up signs in the common areas to NOT wear swim suits and to cover up when in common areas away from the pool. We as farangs should respect the Thai culture and be sensitive to it.

[HHTel]

6 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

When was the last time you saw a beach full of Thai women with Bikini's on? It is very rare even in Pattaya to see a Thai woman with a bikini on at the beach. They most usually have a full T shirt and shorts on.

Ask them.  You'll find their answer has nothing to do with modesty, it's about not wanting to turn 'black' from the sun.  That's why you'll find most Thais visit the beach after the sun goes down.

[pizzachang]

Several aspects to this discussion come to mind. First, there is no real comparison to girly bars, since those are very isolated from the bulk of Thailand and "locals" have to go out of their way, usually at night to observe these. The beach is a public place, no matter what foreign visitors imagine.  So "naked yoga" seems exibitionist at the very least. Personally, "goat yoga" is much more disgusting but naked sunbathers that look like beached beluga whales are the most shocking. You can't "unsee" that kind of thing. Conclusion: If Thai locals ignored nude foreigners who weren't "doing yoga", then the nudists weren't attracting attention, even though technically breaking Thai laws. The exhibition aspect is what turned off Thais, who go about their business in the daytime on a public beach. 

[likerdup1]

5 minutes ago, HHTel said:

Ask them.  You'll find their answer has nothing to do with modesty, it's about not wanting to turn 'black' from the sun.  That's why you'll find most Thais visit the beach after the sun goes down.

So, you mean to tell me with all the cosmetic advertising and sun block lotions available they still opt to put on shorts and a T-shirt. I call BS sir. Have you actually gone out and done full interviews? Do a little research and you will find the Thai culture is modest. Have you been to the Philippines? Those girls want white skin AND are in bikini's all day long on the beach.

[HHTel]

2 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

So, you mean to tell me with all the cosmetic advertising and sun block lotions available they still opt to put on shorts and a T-shirt

Yes

2 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

Have you actually gone out and done full interviews?

Yes.  Been here for almost 20 years,

[Dazinoz]

2 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

So, you mean to tell me with all the cosmetic advertising and sun block lotions available they still opt to put on shorts and a T-shirt. I call BS sir. Have you actually gone out and done full interviews?

I have not done interviews myself but I know many ladies that wear long clothing on very hot days so they don't get the sun and go darker. They have personally told me when I asked why they wear.  They want WHITE. So I would say not total BS.

[likerdup1]

5 minutes ago, HHTel said:

Yes

Yes.  Been here for almost 20 years,

I'm not going to argue here. I have just Googled Thai modesty and have read articles supporting what I said about bikini's at the beach. Modesty is part of the Thai culture. Sorry, but living in Thailand a long time doesn't necessarily equate to being an expert in the culture. Especially if one lives in Pattaya or Sukumvit area of Bangkok.

[HHTel]

Just now, likerdup1 said:

I'm not going to argue here. I have just Googled Thai modesty and have read articles supporting what I said about bikini's at the beach. Modesty is part of the Thai culture. Sorry, but living in Thailand a long time doesn't necessarily equate to being an expert in the culture. Especially if one lives in Pattaya or Sukumvit area of Bangkok.

No I don't live in Pattaya or BKK thank god.

Your google trolling, I guess, would be mostly if not all western websites.  Try asking the girls themselves.

 

Also from google:

Quote

But much more important is to avoid getting a suntan. The ideal and preferred skin color is pinkish white. Skin whiteners are sold everywhere and is a big industry. Having a sun tan means you are low class, and that is something Thai woman want to avoid at all costs. 

 

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

why don't they just close the airports and all border crossings?

Border crossings are known to have more holes than a Phetchaburi dam !!

wouldn't stop anything haha

[Sydebolle]

As a foreigner I suggest to throw out all foreigners, i.e. non-Thais, alien, martians and the rest of the lot.

Then Thailand will be paradise, only for Thais, by Thais and through Thais. 

Pathetic, when I see the goings on lower Sukhumvit in Bangkok, Soi Buakao or Walking Street in Pattaya, Loy Kroh in Chiang Mai or any of these sleazy areas. Even worse are where Khon Thai is roaming in the soapies of Petchburi Road in Bangkok or Suttisarn Karaoke (as the girls there are apparently blessed with ivory-coloured skin). 

So yes, get rid of us and our way of doing things and then you can concentrate in preserving your culture and traditions - welcome to Thailand! 

[Humpy]

They wouldn't do it on Pattaya's beach........ because there isn't one LOL !!!

[maximillian]

2 hours ago, Chassa said:

No nudity in Thailand since the American missionaries made Thai ladies cover their breasts in the 1800's.

 

Those Americans again !  Have to interfere everywhere.

 

And when I see a parson,

I'm gonna put my arse on

a waggon and follow the trail.

Lee Marvin

 

[DieterWiehe]

20 hours ago, ezzra said:

If it wasn't for the million girly bars pubs, massage places, whore houses and all in between in Thailand, i would have agreed with the locals, but as such where modest beach nudity is the least obscene eye sore for some, eye candy for others, right now in Thailand, but what can you do when it's easy to be a hypocrite and play the pious person when your back yard is full of filth...

don't confuse Village People with Bangkok or Pattaya citizens Those People are not used to see a Naked butt unless its from a Child

[shackleton]

3 hours ago, mike1967 said:

I don't know what nationality these people are but Thailand will have very few British once the baht drops below 40 then even less when it drops below 30 in the next 5 years. Who will the police fine then? 

I remember when it was 29 Baht to the pound 

i am still here  did not stop the Brit Tourists coming either 

so 35 to 40 Baht. Is not a big deal hopefully wont happen

but the Brits voted for Brexit  so come what May 

[Seeall]

2 hours ago, crazykopite said:

No mention about the girlie bars where the Thai prositutes wear very little so that they can bare all their assets , think there is more important things to do than the police to roam a secluded beach where a few tourists have stripped off to get a sun tan . I for one would rather see the police spend time on rounding up all the drug dealers on the island and put a stop to all night parties which go on until 6 in the morning .

Wheres the cash in that?   really....

[Kerryd]

3 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

So, you mean to tell me with all the cosmetic advertising and sun block lotions available they still opt to put on shorts and a T-shirt. I call BS sir. Have you actually gone out and done full interviews? Do a little research and you will find the Thai culture is modest. Have you been to the Philippines? Those girls want white skin AND are in bikini's all day long on the beach.

Actually I have done "a little research" and it has been pretty much universal that the reason most of the girls cover up is because they don't want their skin to darken. It seems to be true with most of the males as well.
That's why so many people you see working outside are covered from head to toe (including full face coverings). Absolutely nothing to do with modesty.

Thai "modest" has more to do with Public Displays of Affection (PDAs) and public nudity than it does with wearing bikinis on the beach. It used to be that you would never see a Thai couple holding hands or, heaven forbid, kissing in public. I remember seeing foreigners trying to kiss "their girl" in public and the girls frantically trying to avoid it. I've was shocked the first time a girl tried to hold my hand in public as I thought that was still a major no-no.
(Some girls would skirt the issued by holding onto your upper arm as that didn't look as "intimate" as holding hands.)
Even hard-core go-go girls are reluctant to "flash" anything in "public". They may be buck naked inside that club but most would never even consider exposing themselves in public (sun or no sun). 

Go look at some Thai nightclubs however (where the majority of the customers are Thai and the music is almost exclusively Thai) and see how "modest" the girls tend to dress. Or, as many TV viewers know, look at the way some Uni girls dress and I guarantee you they aren't doing it to impress any foreigners.

One girl I used to know back in the 90s was right upset with me after we came back from a 2 week jaunt around the country. After bamboo rafting on the Ping, Elephant riding, visiting a long-neck Karen village and numerous temples, we came back to Pattaya.
All her friends were laughing at her because of her "black" skin. I never even noticed until we took a pic and compared it to one taken before the trip. She had "darkened" a lot. (Lord knows how much "whitening product" had been totally wasted by that trip as she was back to full "rice farmer in the field" mode and she had worn hats and long sleeves (and long pants) for most of the trip.

Other girls have whined when they've been on the beach for an hour and the next day they could see a faint tan line where their bikini straps were. You'd have thought they were branded the way they were going on about it.
Everyday you see people trying to avoid the sun. I see people riding scooters with a jacket or sweater on backwards, so that their arms are covered (but isn't as hot as it would be wearing the clothing normally). They aren't doing it because they think bare arms are immodest.

Just like when you see people zig-zagging on the sidewalks so they can stay in the shadow of the buildings. Nothing to do with modesty.
Or that picture of an intersection where all the scooters are lined up at an angle because they are trying to stay in the shade cast by an overpass.

Years ago there was a short uproar over the number of topless women that were on various Phuket beaches. The uproar died down shortly afterwards. We probably would have never even heard about this bit of nudity if it wasn't for the "extra" activity going on as it seems people have been getting naked on that beach for quite some time now. A couple weeks from now everything will go back to the way it has been for the last (however many years).

 

[Kerryd]

24 minutes ago, maximillian said:

 

Those Americans again !  Have to interfere everywhere.

 

And when I see a parson,

I'm gonna put my arse on

a waggon and follow the trail.

Lee Marvin

 

Paint Your Wagon. A 1969 musical set in the days of the California gold rush starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Marvin and Jean Seeberg.

Love that movie and like to rewatch it every couple of years or so.

I have changed the lyrics of "The Gospel of No Name City" to "Pattaya City" but haven't tried to record it.

The Gospel of Pattaya City
 

You wanna see sin of the wickedest kind?

Here it is!

You wanna see virtue left behind?

Here it is!

Sodom was vice

And visa-versa

You wanna say where the vice is worser?

Here it is!

I mean, here it is!

 

You wanna live life in the rottenest way?

Here it is!

Women and whiskey, night and day?

Here it is!

You wanna embrace the golden calf?

Ankle, and thigh, and upper half?

Here it is!

I mean, here it is!

 

Pattaya city

Pattaya city

The Lord don't like it here
 

Pattaya city

Pattaya city

Your reckoning day is near

 

Pattaya city

Pattaya city

Here's what he's gonna do

 

Gobble up this town

And swallow it down

And goodbye to you !

[Green Acres]

1 hour ago, Cereal said:

Seriously though, one has to ask the motivation of the people: exhibitionism perhaps. If it's truly just an exercise, why is nudity necessary? If you wanna be naked and do yoga do it at home, throw on a suit and then head to the beach.

It's really nothing more than a relatively small, ever changing, group of people in a relatively small community that sees local custom as...flexible, and should be made to suit their tastes. This same community has recently found itself in the middle of a shit storm over numerous allegations of sexual abuse at one of its main yoga centers. Google it. It's all out there. They have brought increased scrutiny upon themselves. Long overdue, according to many, many residents.

[sitti]

I have a solution. Install webcams and live stream it. If these people don't mind showing their nudity in public, there shouldn't be any problem with getting shown on internet for millions to see.