Behaviour on the beach
I’ve been living here in HH for almost 9 years. I’m still relatively young - 48 yrs old. I’ve travelled a bit and in every country I’ve been to the visitors have generally treated the country they visit with a measure of respect.
So, why, oh why, do I walk the beach this morning and see western ladies going into the sea topless? Don’t these people understand anything about Thai culture? I think not.
It’s a real eye opener when you can understand a little bit of the language and hear the comments that are made about these topless wonders, by the Thais.
It certainly made me cringe. The Thais have no respect for them and the culprits didn’t even notice. Then again, they probably didn’t give a damn. “It’s what I do back home in the summer, so I’ll do it here”, without any consideration for the locals.
As for me - well I’m happily married to a Thai lady and I bet she wouldn’t expose herself to all and sundry anywhere, anytime. Despite Thailand’s reputation for raunchiness, it’s actually nothing like that - except in certain areas that can be found all over the world, even on your own doorstep back home.
So, that’s a bit of a rant to start off with, but it does grate on me when the locals are offended. If you only knew what they were saying about you, topless ladies!!
February 11th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
This is one of my pet peeves, as well. That and people wandering around the town in their beachwear. These thoughtless tourists don’t seem to realise that they are being offensive, or maybe they don’t care. And, yes, the comments made by the locals and expats about these “bare all” bimbos & himbos are never complimentary.
February 13th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
While basically agreeing with your sentiments, some 50 years when I travelled thru Thailand, including Hua Hin, it was not unusual to find uncovered breasts… in fact, the further you went into the country, the more common… And just take a look at some of the old Wat murals.
February 21st, 2007 at 12:38 am
I’m sure it will come as no suprise that it didnt bother me much.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
I agree with the idea of “when in Rome”. In Rio walking around the streets in a scimpy swimming costume is what locals do but a quick glance shows even the stupidest tourist that Thais are not doing that. The same probably applies to toplessness on the beach, although it is not true to say that no Thai women do that. I have seen quite a few topless Thai girls on the beach at Jomtien and some in Phuket. On the other hand it is certainly true that covering breasts is a recent idea imported from abroad. From old photographs you can see that Thai village women went topless. Things change the other way too. I remember being in St Tropez in the early 70s when police were raiding the beaches to arrest naked sunbathers. Nowadays it is considered completely normal there. Perhaps in another generation Bangkok belles will also be flaunting them again on the beach in Hua Hin. Some hope.