@sighyam You'd never need to explain that you can't wear a bikini to visit a cathedral in Spain, kwim? Like it would just be understood and there would be no pushback
Ok I’m going to explain why this situation happened for education purposes. Please ignore the foreigners in the replies spreading misinformation and only listen to Thai people.
Phuket is not just a beach playground for tourists, real people live there and the community deserves respect.
These ladies are at a temple fair in Phuket, specifically Wat Chalong. The nearest proper swimming beach is a 10-20 minute drive away, in Kata, Karon or Rawai.
Anyone familiar with basic research on Thailand knows that temple grounds demand modest clothing for both men and women. This is a very common rule throughout Thailand and applies to every temple and religious site regardless of whether the visitors are Buddhists.
If you notice, the ladies are not being slut-shamed by Thai people for their clothes. Most people in Phuket wear shorts, bikinis and other beach appropriate clothing. But. At. The. Beach. Again, the closest proper beach is like 6km away.
Dress code signs are everywhere for tourists and they were at this specific temple too. It’s also impossible for them not to realise they weren’t at a temple. The large complex is easily visible.
Now, fairs are actually a little bit more relaxed, you can even see people wearing shorts that are above the knees, this is usually prohibited even on temple grounds, and it is always prohibited inside the sacred temples themselves, but Buddhist attendees are not going to confront every person they see, however, these ladies showed up dressed for beach clubs…
I sympathise that it must be awkward to find yourself in the middle of this situation. But temple grounds are places for worship, education and communal gatherings for merit making. These fairs are usually organised to raise money for new projects and funds for the community.
Locals consistently find themselves having to correct tourists and defend their way of life, even with signs and rule ads everywhere, so it gets to a point.
Please do your research and have a bit of self awareness when travelling.
I will never understand conservative American views on immigration because unless you’re native…..you’re all immigrants? 😭 like the call is coming from inside the house??? You’re literally a nation of immigrants? Built by immigrants? For immigrants? What😭
Propaganda I'm not falling for:
- Marrying young
- Believing marriage is necessary for a woman's happiness or fulfillment
- Thinking a husband will complete me
- Sacrificing my career, dreams, or independence for a man's comfort
- Staying in a marriage that drains my energy, joy, or freedom
- Marriage itself when it benefits men far more than women
Root of Thailand’s stagnation and why we can’t have equity and self-determination. The top 1% just won’t allow it and the country’s future is held hostage. They will keep hold of power and obscene wealth, by hook or by crook.