Prayuth apologizes for 'bikini comment'
Prime Minister Prayuth has apologized for his casual remark that only ugly women in bikinis are safe. He says he had no intention of offending anyone. He just wanted to warn tourists to be careful in some places and times. “The level of safety in our country and the homeland of tourists is not identical. That worries me.'
Prayuth's comment, made to reporters on Wednesday (home page photo), sparked screaming headlines in England. The Prime Minister had tarnished the memory and reputation of the two Britons killed on Koh Tao. Internet users accused him of sexism and misogyny. Despite Prayuth's apology, the discussion about his statement continues.
According to foreign news agencies, Prayuth literally said the following: 'There are always problems with tourist safety. They think our country is beautiful and is safe so they can do whatever they want, they can wear bikinis and walk everywhere. But can they be safe in bikinis … unless they are not beautiful?'
In a statement, the British embassy says it has informed the Foreign Office of its "concerns" and asked for a "clarification".
A government spokesperson says the government has already discussed the matter with the embassy. Prayuth has stressed that his comments were not intended to blame or offend anyone, the spokesman said. The population should take into account the context of what he has said.
(Source: website Bangkok Post, Sept. 18, 2014)
A chess grandmaster was once asked what the most important rule in chess was, and he replied, "Sit on your hands."
You cannot take back moves that have been made.
And that also applies to Mr. Prayuth, because in such a high-profile case, if you don't weigh your words on a gold scale, it will be irrevocably backfired on yourself.
A bit stupid, another high-ranking person would say.
@SevenEleven Prayuth revolves around it. You should never do that in such a situation. A communication consultant would advise: frankly admit the mistake, say that you made an ill-considered remark. In other words: remove the fuse. The faster the better. No reason for further discussion. But yes, that annoying fear of losing face is playing tricks on him.
I don't think General Prayuth beat around the bush. Nor do I believe that the annoying fear of losing face was bothering him. I believe his comment fits perfectly with a common mentality of men towards women in Thailand. I don't think Prayuth's comment is a "casual" one at all. It is his spontaneous, honest, straightforward opinion, and for that reason it has been carelessly released to the public. It's good and completely right that he has now apologized for it.
This 'relativising' of violence and rape is by no means new. Do you remember this one? https://www.thailandblog.nl/achtergrond/cultuur-evil-man-krabi/
“The alleged assault and assault of a Dutch tourist in Krabi cannot be called rape, said the Thai Minister of Tourism, because she knew the man. Unfortunately, this distorted view is not the opinion of just one individual, but stems from old-fashioned cultural ideas in Thailand.”
Below this blog story is a frantic, partly linguistic discussion about how rape is dealt with in Thailand, whether or not it is culturally determined. For me, then and now, the main point was that sexual violence must be rejected outright. Without any addition whatsoever that could give the impression that women, because of their appearance or clothing, give rise to sexual violence directed against them.
The comments of Tourism Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa from the Yingluck cabinet and the current 'bikini joke' chief of state stem, I think, from the same attitude towards women. That doesn't brush off any PR trick or nifty damage control after the fact. The excitement about the statement is, as far as I'm concerned, absolutely correct.
You hit the nail on the head. The mentality of the average Thai man summed up in a casually placed comment. Unfortunately.
It is the 'casual', not the 'thoughtful' comments that reflect a person's deepest beliefs, fears and expectations. I also don't think Prayuth wanted to hurt anyone and it is good that he apologized, but it does give a good insight into his thoughts.
When beautiful girls in bikinis turn out to be a danger to themselves, …. then there is a lot of danger to life in the many gogo establishments in BKK & Pattaya ……or could it be different….?
Turns out that the raw soldier still has the upper hand inside , but as a politician still has a lot to learn .
To the mind of a farang, there is little difference between a lady presenting herself in a bikini in a go go bar and a young lady presenting almost the same thing on a beach.
For the understanding of many Thai people this is no comparison, that's why you often see those women who danced in bikini the previous evening in the go go bar, sitting on the beach with high-closed clothing, where they also bathe with the same clothing .
The latter is not only to protect against the sun, and because no one likes to get a tan, but also because presenting a bikini in the go go bar has only a commercial reason, and for them has nothing to do with the voluntary behavior of a bikini-wearing beachgoer,
who presents this, without financial necessity.
Since many Farangs usually do not know this way of thinking, this is still the stumbling block for many Thais.
Prayuth was concerned about tourism to Thailand after the murder. He then makes this remark that has been widely reported in the British press. Not really a comment that can restore the confidence of tourists in Thailand.
Tourists who dress in a way that deviates from what is customary in the country they visit shock conservative residents and are also more likely than average to experience sexual harassment or worse, because the local (male) population sees it as a challenge (in their way of thinking: “they ask for it”.)
Often tourists on holiday, away from the yoke of social control of their daily lives, behave more easily and freely than they are used to at home, which adds to the excessiveness of their behavior compared to local customs.
It can of course be argued that local behavior does not meet their own standards and that everyone should behave differently, but when it comes to your own safety it is better to take into account “how it is”, not how you think it is “ should be".
One can unfortunately expect such a despicable statement from someone who previously claimed that a Western costume evokes black magic… At first you could dismiss the fact that his statement was chosen a bit ill-considered were it not for the fact that it was in response to horrible murders on 2 young people!
Afraid it may not have been his last reprehensible statement. 🙁
Agree with Tony.
Thailand is not safer than England or the Netherlands… it is the other way around.
And if you are still up so late at night as a tourist, problems can arise.
I often came to Pattaya but always got to my hotel before midnight. With two exceptions then… But then you shouldn't be surprised that Thais sometimes walk by with knives hidden from view or not. And if those guests also use prohibited substances, it can become a "party".
I have witnessed.
As a tourist you should never ask for trouble (is my advice).