Phuket Nipple Alert: Staying Abreast Of Nude On Our Beaches

[DumFarang 0]

..... and the lady went back to her stall to sell the porn dvd's i bet.

Some things you just couldnt make up in Thailand, how is it so acceptable to sell SEX and SEX DVD's but showing a bit of flesh on the beach or surrounding area is frowned upon. Is it one rule for Farangs and obne rule for locals here ?

As i see it, its the same rule. There is more than likelihood that the woman is selling porn dvd's or owns a stall selling sex aids, but these products in most cases are there to satisfy the farang needs, same as the showing of naked parts of the body in general public.

As much as i appreciate the female form, I do think that tourists should show more respect for the Thai culture as voiced by the majority of thais.

This is of course agreeable in spirit, but which laws in any society are really held dear when not enforced? In this country (Thailand) a law that's not enforced is held dear b/c locals simply feel it in their hearts, okay fair enough. But, you rarely hear of instances where foreigners are punished for exposure in Arabic countries b/c there they know it's punished swiftly. Maybe it's just my view, but it seems to me that exercising the law discourages crime and ignoring it not so much. If police started punishing public nudity according to the law the word would spread, but since they often don't who can blame people for feeling free to do as they wish? And, perhaps this carefree approach to law enforcement will lead to a change in the culture. Maybe this is how cultures change and we're witnessing the transition. Of course there's always the fact that police officers in Thailand don't get great salaries so they tend to take the ventures that lead to money on the side far more seriously. This is also their culture, like it or not.

[Wallaby 104]

Does anyone honestly think the BIB would arrest a girl for being topless?

Oh come on, the first sighting of a jet ski by the BIB's and they would immediately make a beeline with the collection plate and have forgotten why the hell they were there in the first place.

[Seismic 1,394]

I have to love this topic, mainly because of the farang ladies talking about modesty. 100 years ago it was quite normal for all thai women to walk around with breasts exposed, and I dont just mean the beach. The idea of modesty and breasts is not a thai cultural thing at all but an imposition brought on by western influence.

Before you start complaining about immodesty please please look at the whole history of thailand, and do please leave your western/middle eastern cultural/religious rules at the door as you enter.

Current Thai moral thinking has no place in the history of thailand, but is instead another way of exerting control on a population that wishes to remove itself from the serf history of its past. I personally see nothing wrong with a Thai lady exposing her breasts, after all the only reason they are covered up is due to the cinical western (catholic) thinking that it is somehow a sin. So please dont post about it is not socially acceptable or culturally wrong., that is bullshit, Learn about the history of the country from a few more sources than the gutter press and accept that what is happening is not a revolution but simply an acknowledgement of the countries history.

[pop3 10]

Personally Im more than happy to see more tit, those who are offended should simply look the other way.

[raylo 1]

..... and the lady went back to her stall to sell the porn dvd's i bet.

Some things you just couldnt make up in Thailand, how is it so acceptable to sell SEX and SEX DVD's but showing a bit of flesh on the beach or surrounding area is frowned upon. Is it one rule for Farangs and obne rule for locals here ?

What a broad-sweeping generality. If you broadened your horizons beyond sex you'd realize that only a small percentage of Thais are involved in sex-related commerce and most are indeed offended by public nudity. It is their country and culture you know.

You hit the nail on the head.

Plus this is the usual case of people with too much time on their hands

[DumFarang 0]

..... and the lady went back to her stall to sell the porn dvd's i bet.

Some things you just couldnt make up in Thailand, how is it so acceptable to sell SEX and SEX DVD's but showing a bit of flesh on the beach or surrounding area is frowned upon. Is it one rule for Farangs and obne rule for locals here ?

What a broad-sweeping generality. If you broadened your horizons beyond sex you'd realize that only a small percentage of Thais are involved in sex-related commerce and most are indeed offended by public nudity. It is their country and culture you know.

You hit the nail on the head.

Plus this is the usual case of people with too much time on their hands

Of course a majority of Thais aren't involved in the sex industry, but it sure is a big business, and it's growing. Now, at least where I live, the roaming prostitutes seem to be doubling in number daily, and add to that that a lot of the ones who sit in bars for the evening then go out to late parties/bars/clubs etc. They're now doing quickies on the beach in the middle of the night and then walking back into the bar/club/etc. for more action. A lot of this has been bolstered by the dance club scene where there's plenty to capitalize on with loud music, drugs, and a lot of drunken staggering around. It's easy pickings.

Make no mistake, it's a large industry. But, obviously we don't have to waste our time with ridiculous assumptions like, "majority of the population."

[bbradsby 157]

Sadly you had to get a dictionary to find out what you had written? Kind of sums you up?

Secondly, if you know your history you will know that St Paul's is actually a fake dome - they didn't know how to make a real one - which would account for the US's obsession with constructing false tits I suppose.

BTW - I"m guessing you think I"m British? - you are good at jumping to conclusions.

The concept of "dome" comes from Italy/Latin cathedral - again another country with an obsession with tits - NB the current PM.

The dictionary quote was for your edification since you felt it your place to make editorial comments about my post's English usage. And St Paul's dome is as real as it gets, regardless of what's happening inside, since it's the external form that's the subject of your comparison to breast form. And the dome as structural solution actually pre-dates Rome, even as they did evolve it as no one before them.

In any case, back to the point of your off-topic, off-base, tangential Amerika rant. The examples you used (US Capitol building dome, McD's Arches, ...milk for god's sake?!) to attack American culture as being sexually prude are pretty lame. There are so many other, better ways to have fun with America, and your second post re: the increase in breast augmentation via plastic surgery gets closer to the mark IMHO, as it's pretty bizarre - but hardly speaks to prudeness. It actually disproves your point.

So have at it, I'm not the US' biggest fan BTW, but you'll need to replace your sloppy, broad brush with something finer, and leave behind your grinding axe, as you'll find plenty of material for humor there - as for anywhere - but also a lot of great aspects to the culture & people... as for anywhere. But you probably don't get any of this, which I guess sums you up. Take your ignorant, prejudiced, anti-any country rants and start a thread somewhere else for your dim views.

[Lovedog100 3]

I just couldn't agree more! This issue really gets my goat. I see them all the time and what's worse is one regular offender LIVES here and goes topless at the beach in front of her nanny!!!! The audacity of this woman to be soooooo disrespectful is just mind-boggling. At least I tell myself that the tourists are just dumb, after all, we all know by now they leave their brains behind when they come on holiday here.....some are just pain rude and don't care, but I dare-say most are just plain ignorant *sigh*.

Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband...a little distracting as you don't have to live here long for modesty to become your mantra and so whereas a set of boobs a few years ago may not have raised an eyebrow, it certainly raises more than that now! Mostly my blood-pressure!

Just give me a call. I'll be glad to talk to the offenders for you

[bbradsby 157]

Ancient history is irrelevant as to this discussion, else one could make the argument that head-shrinking is perfectly acceptable behavior when visiting Sarawak. Current Thai culture is modest as far as public nudity is concerned. Those who chose to ignore this fact may face some 'inconveniences' with the BIB as a consequence of their insensitivity. Not a problem AFAIC - one needs to be respectful of the local culture when an auslander.

[metisdead 8,879]

We're beginning to drift off topic here, one post removed.

Let's not get into a country bashing fest.

[DumFarang 0]

We're beginning to drift off topic here, one post removed.

Let's not get into a country bashing fest.

I was gonna tie that into breasts you know! You just didn't give me time.

[Darwinite1 0]

I just couldn't agree more! This issue really gets my goat. I see them all the time and what's worse is one regular offender LIVES here and goes topless at the beach in front of her nanny!!!! The audacity of this woman to be soooooo disrespectful is just mind-boggling. At least I tell myself that the tourists are just dumb, after all, we all know by now they leave their brains behind when they come on holiday here.....some are just pain rude and don't care, but I dare-say most are just plain ignorant *sigh*.

Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband...a little distracting as you don't have to live here long for modesty to become your mantra and so whereas a set of boobs a few years ago may not have raised an eyebrow, it certainly raises more than that now! Mostly my blood-pressure!

thai double standards. Dont fully enforce nudity laws, but fully cover up smoking, drinking, and guns on tv. Go figure. We have similar laws in Hawaii, but Europeans disrespect the laws there too. The law enfarcement should book em, fine em 1000, euro, dollars BP, hold for 24 hrs , then transport to airport and send em home. Word would spread fast internationally.

It's a thought hey - one can only try

[Darwinite1 0]

...Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband.

ok, I'm here to help - next time, just post on TV where specifically this unacceptable behavior is occurring, and I'll go have a talk with the girls.

[DumFarang 0]

...Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband.

ok, I'm here to help - next time, just post on TV where specifically this unacceptable behavior is occurring, and I'll go have a talk with the girls.

No, don't let him do it. That'll only scare them right out Thailand. I better go and have a word with them and handle it in a calm, professional manner so as to make sure they're properly educated on this paramount issue.

[Darwinite1 0]

I just couldn't agree more! This issue really gets my goat. I see them all the time and what's worse is one regular offender LIVES here and goes topless at the beach in front of her nanny!!!! The audacity of this woman to be soooooo disrespectful is just mind-boggling. At least I tell myself that the tourists are just dumb, after all, we all know by now they leave their brains behind when they come on holiday here.....some are just pain rude and don't care, but I dare-say most are just plain ignorant *sigh*.

Does anyone have any more creative ideas about how to deal with this? I was recently faced with 5 topless women whilst trying to have lunch with my husband...a little distracting as you don't have to live here long for modesty to become your mantra and so whereas a set of boobs a few years ago may not have raised an eyebrow, it certainly raises more than that now! Mostly my blood-pressure!

Why do you find the human body so offensive? Boobs are natural. It's your attitude that's unnatural. Why should you be the judge of what other people do?

my thoughts exactly. I also love the posts from the newbies, people just having moved here that are ultraprotective of all things Thai (yet to discover the great hypocrisy)....reminds me of my first year here ahhhh the memories :jap:

You need to read my previous response to this....AND you're clearly saying that respecting someone else's culture means that you've not been here long and aren't aware of the hypocrisies? Says it all here - and will now make an assumption you're one of those lovely Farang men who haven't see their 'equipment' for the last 20 yrs due to the gorgeous beer gut they've been tending to so lovingly, who is in his 50s, been living here for the last 20 yrs on and off, and rides around on his scooter with his very petite and pre-pubescent looking girlfriend on the back..... hypocrisy exists in many forms and you display it by living in a country where you show disdain towards other's basic cultural norms. If I get as jaded as you clearly are, then it will indeed be time for me to depart

haha Well Im sitting in my office with my colleague (Thai man 38 years old) and we are both laughing at your post and at the fact that SOME farang are making a big deal about what my friend here would call "normal". Normal and not a big deal for tourists ladies to tan without their tops. It's funny how TOURIST, English teachers etc. like you feel the need to protect the locals 'culture'

Im 41 by the way, 70 kg., married to a southern girl, I have a Toyota not a scooter, I've worked here for the past 5 years, I speak Thai AND I would laugh in the face of anyone Thai or farang that says this is a threat or assualt on Thai culture As I said in other posts - at every resort I have worked at here there have been ladies laying out topless around the pool and NEVER had ANY of the Thai staff I worked with be the LEAST bit put off by it but clearly YOU know what's best for them right?

Well, just because everyone here thinks it's ok to drink and drive (I would sadly classify it as 'normal' here) doesn't mean that it's acceptable, no matter what you or your friend think.

I am neither a tourist nor a teacher and have lived here for some time now so you're also wrong there also. I choose to live here and so no matter what the hypocrisy of whatever laws exist or don't, or the hypocrisy of cultural norms and practices (as you and so many keep pointing out) - given I am a guest here, I will do my utmost to abide by them none-the-less and respect the culture of the people who's country I reside in.

And my apologies, I should have clarified myself by pointing out that a Toyota is interchangeable with a scooter for this exercise.....I also note you don't put the age of your Thai wife?? And none of us will ever know the reason/s you married this women - genuine or not, nor will I go there, but there are certain generalisations that can be alluded to and that we are all aware of....nothing you have said has removed you from being under the microscope as being possibly 'one of those men'.

All that aside, topless bathing is culturally insensitive as the original article points out, and that is that.

I'm going to assume that you 'manage' the Thai staff you refer to? This puts you in a position of superiority and would ergo mean that they would not feel comfortable complaining to you about this issue. Even if you are working at the same level as your Thai colleagues, I will make an assumption that you are being paid more as is common practise. Whatever way you cut the cake, they would be highly unlikely to complain to you about topless customers who have paid to be there and spend more on one pool-side drink that your Thai colleague earns in a day!

So, would you like to put your arrogance aside, show some consideration for your Thai colleagues/neighbours/friends/staff etc etc, and respect the dominant culture!