Bangkok Post
2 Dec 2017
The recent arrest of two US citizens for their bare-bottomed stunt at a sacred temple in Bangkok should send a message to foreign tourists that they should use their utmost discretion to not offend local customs or violate the law, and to show respect when they travel.
The pair, who are both in their late 30s, now face possible legal measures. The police have prepared computer crime and religious insult charges against them, with potential punishments ranging up to seven years in prison.
The Californian buddies, identified as Joseph and Travis Dasilva, were charged with public indecency after they posted pictures of themselves with their pants down at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) on their Instagram account under the handle name “traveling butts”.
The account, which had about 14,000 followers, was soon deleted after the pair’s arrest at Don Mueang airport late on Tuesday night as they were about to leave the country.
They were fined 5,000 baht each for disrobing in public, a violation of the criminal law. But police said they were preparing more serious charges against the Americans for posting pornographic photos on the internet and taking pictures of their private parts at a sacred place of worship.
Police are also gathering evidence to show the pair undertook a similar stunt at Wat Trai Mit Witthayaram (Golden Buddha Temple), another well-known religious site in the city.
This is not the first time an American has been charged in Thailand for an act society found intolerable.
In July another Californian, Nathan Bartling, was charged for posting a video online showing him placing coins on rail tracks for the amusement of his YouTube followers under the handle “My Mate Nate”.
Mr Bartling was arrested and charged for trespassing and endangering people’s safety, and handed a 5,000-baht fine. He also had to issue a public apology for the stunt.
Thailand continues to serve as a much-loved destination for tourists given the growing number of visitors each year. As a result, there is a need for our tourism and immigration authorities to ensure they keep foreign visitors properly informed of local sensitivities and norms as well as specific rules of the country upon arrival.
Visitors should be aware that Thailand does not, for example, tolerate the use of images of the Buddha as a form of decoration, let alone exposing one’s buttocks at a revered temple.
There are signs at airports and on highways indicating these messages, but the authorities should consider giving visitors more clear and comprehensive information in writing on the “dos” and “don’ts” of local etiquette as part of immigration procedures.
Meanwhile, tourists should be aware of the culture and sensitivities of each country they visit, especially where those cultural norms and traditions are held in high value. Countries like Thailand, Myanmar, India, Japan and China have very strong traditions that date back thousands of years, if not more, and it is important to respect them.
However, some things are just plain obvious. When one enters a temple or place of worship, we all know it is not acceptable to mock the traditions practiced there. Even US presidents have had to remove their shoes when visiting Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, for example.
It’s not just in Asia that these traditions are followed. All over the world tourists are required to follow the rules of the prevailing or local religion and the government. For instance, non-Muslim and tourists who visit Jerusalem are not allowed to enter the Temple Mount.
The two American men may now face serious consequences for their “indecent act”. However, they could easily have avoided this had they not been so ignorant of Thai people’s respectful culture and religious beliefs, or perhaps they wilfully disregarded this.
Either way, tourists should be better informed upon arrival so they are not punished for their ignorance.
(https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1370935/tell-tourists-naked-truth)
