Rights in democracy, the naked truth

COMMENTARY

Rights in democracy, the naked truth

Published: 24 Jun 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

What the 23-year-old female contestant on Thailand's Got Talent painted with her breasts was a mess. It wasn't art. The performance was crude and tasteless, cheap and tawdry, appealing to the lowest common denominator. Be that as it may, she had every right to perform, with the appropriate blurring of images, of course.

Last Sunday's performance on the popular reality TV show definitely made an impact. The audience cheered. The two male judges loved it. The lone female judge walked off the panel.

''This is degrading to Thai culture!'' That's the most frequently invoked cry against any speech or expression deemed ''un-Thai''. But according to this logic, wouldn't Thai culture then be narrow-minded and intolerant, incapable of embracing the differences and diversities that come with freedom and democracy? I hope not. I find narrow-minded intolerance degrades Thai culture.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

bkk-farang
Post : 2,310
Send message

Discussion 7 : 24 Jun 2012 at 07.347
Post this to my Facebook
I think it’s amazing that a pair of naked breast seems to be the most important issue about the Thai TV program. And one of the arguments is always: How should I explain this to my children? I think naked breasts are completely harmless and no child or adult will be in any danger looking at them. Thai TV is full of violence and screaming idiots. I think this should be a bigger concern than a few naked breasts.
Like dislike 9 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
bleb
Post : 3
Send message

Discussion 6 : 24 Jun 2012 at 07.196
Post this to my Facebook
I must confess: I do enjoy your publications and for that I decided to respond to this one because I find it a bit offensive. Of all the fine pieces of art around the world, why did you choose 'The Last Supper' for such comparison?
Like dislike 1 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
ronniec
Post : 127
Send message

Discussion 5 : 24 Jun 2012 at 06.585
Post this to my Facebook
Yes, but "So if it proves true that Work Point Entertainment purposely engineered that inartistic breast painting display, then that's public fraud, worth a civil lawsuit, because it is good old corruption." is a typical Thai reaction.

TV is entertainment, mostly mindless, and should never be taken as unbiased/wholly truthful because it plainly isn't.
Is there a clause in the broadcasting contract that says reality TV shows must be untampered with?
All TV production companies operate like any other company - maximize profit by whatever means they see fit.

Maybe there should be an automated message that pops up every time you switch on your TV "All that you are about to view has been created for entertainment purposes only and in no way should be taken as fact".
Like dislike 1 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
falangsur
Post : 190
Send message

Discussion 4 : 24 Jun 2012 at 06.084
Post this to my Facebook
The topless dancer for Songkran last year is similar in some sense. The Songkran lady had no idae it would go viral - as nto to upset Thai sensibilities or worldwide reputation. This case - it was a taped show - given that it was broadcast - the lady need not accept any blame in my opinion. In both cases - Thai people ignore the existence of YouTube and the internet and what the world now sees of Nana, Pat Pong, Soi Cowboy, Phuket, etc. What we could once keep quiet and in its place has now become the face of thailand - and a major change is needed........
Like dislike 11 people liked / 4 people disliked this comment
amazed
Post : 578
Send message

Discussion 3 : 24 Jun 2012 at 05.453
Post this to my Facebook
If we are to have lesson in democracy, I only wish it could be with a little more meaningful topic.
Like dislike 6 people liked / 9 people disliked this comment
banned
Post : 138
Send message

Discussion 2 : 24 Jun 2012 at 05.152
Post this to my Facebook
We all have naked bodies in various shapes under our clothing so why are so many offended at the sight of one. Perhaps there is a Darwinian process happening here and the moralists screaming loudly are so offended by nudity they cause their own extinction.
Like dislike 35 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
christianl
Post : 113
Send message

Discussion 1 : 24 Jun 2012 at 04.541
Post this to my Facebook
That Voranai even has to write an article like this, explaining what should be a given thing, tells you a lot about the state of democracy, freedom and censorship in Thailand. This is something that people should know as a fact of life by the age of, say, 12 or so? Or maybe even younger. It's a good article, but to think it's aimed at adults is mindblowing.
Like dislike 36 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment

First Previous 1 2 3 4

Rights in democracy, the naked truth | Bangkok Post: opinion