The Thai Prime Minister's recent faux pas on "Wearing Bikinis" (with reference to the murder of British tourists in Thailand) was all over the world press. He stated that tourist in Bikinis specially the good looking ones are making themselves vulnerable to attack; and that tourists should keep in mind the sensitivities of the locals while dressing up. The debate that followed - was he suggesting that women with less than model bodies can wear sexy swimwear and those with bodies to show off should restrain themselves? I think the whole point was missed:
First; that he is an army man and not a politically correct trained politician; and possibly his way of expressing himself is in line with how he would address and correct his troops. His intent was right only the way he said it was wrong. Second; two tourists were murdered and they were not the first; and I am sure that attire had not much to do with it.
There has been a steady rise in the "bloody" crime rate (against westerners) in Thailand with the increase of tourists attracted by its fame for "sex drugs and rock and roll" as much as it beauty and beaches.
A few months back; a minister in Goa demanded a ban on bikinis citing that it goes against the Indian culture. Goa too is facing a very similar situation to Thailand where several tourists (mostly westerners) have been raped and killed. Most of them have been connected to the various drug mafia factions that have now taken control of much of the tourist belt as is happening in Thailand or Bali or any tourist destination in the world. The ask by the minister became a point of ridicule on social media when Indians (not foreigners) posted images of the erotic temple statues in Kahujrao and pictures from the "kama sutra" with tag lines stating - Is this not Indian Culture?
I think this whole "culture" sensitivity is a farce. Foreigners visit a place to have fun. Not that they cannot do it in their own countries; but the might of their stronger currency and the overall warmth of the Asian nations in temperature and people is certainly an alluring magnet. While most of Asian upbringing is based on dignity - modesty - chastity; secretly the openness of the west is every Asian's desire. I am sure that those very men who shout about the corruption caused by western influences would be the very ones caught in the liberal red light zones in Europe. Locals may hate the behaviour of tourists but in many places the "dollars" they bring run local houses to prosperity. Take away the tourism and kill the local economy.
There is really no culturally correct tourism. Every tourist is not expected to understand the local sensitivity and there is need for locals to educate themselves about tourist sensitivities. In Bali, unknowing tourists (both men and women) visit temples in shorts and they are asked to wrap a sarong. Yes someone makes money in renting sarongs but no one seems to get offended. If local politics are so concerned about the culture; then let them go after the biggest enemy of any culture - drugs. I find it hard to believe that drug mafias can set up shop without the blessing of the local protectors (politicians and police). A taxi driver in Goa once warned me not to enter a street at night saying that it was what local call "gang street". I looked on my left and saw the local police station right at that junction.
Well to put it in biblical perspective - it took one apple to turn paradise into hell; and in today's time its the several bad apples within our own societies that have turned our tourist paradises into hell. In a world where there are Countries that lash people for expressing happiness - let's not kill those who are just seeking out some fun.
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