Rihanna offends Thailand.

Rihanna recently visited Phuket and did some things that (let’s be honest) many tourists visiting Phuket do, so what is all of the fuss?

She first uploaded pictures of her with a Slow Loris, an endangered species. These photos were reportedly taken on Bangla road in Patong. Secondly, she tweeted quite graphic details about a sex show (one using ping pong balls. Confused? Use your imagination).

The reason it caused uproar in Thailand is bad publicity. Thais hate to lose face, this is well documented. So, Rihanna tweeting this to 30 million plus followers is a lot of face losing.

We know, Thai people all know, most people around the world know, that these things happen in Thailand. Many Thais however, bury their head in the sand.

 Blah blah, I’m not listening, these things don’t happen in Thailand, la la la.

That sort of thing.

Of course, the more level headed have been playing this down on forums. It happens, whatever, get on with it.

What will happen now?

The sad thing is, this is an opportunity for change. Call me a pessimist, but it won’t.

One positive has happened already, The tweet with the slow loris has led to two arrests. Story here.

Hopefully, this is not the end. This is a huge problem, all across South East Asia. The illegal trade in animals is common, and a horrible trade at that.

This is their chance. They can use this as a point of change, make an example of the two arrested but don’t stop there. Push it through, keep it going. End this trade.

Now. The sex show.

What? Thailand has sex shows? No we don’t! How dare you! That’s very un-Thai!

Come on, they are common, we all know this.

The problem is, they make money. People are profiting from allowing these shows, or doing exactly what some Thais do, turning a blind eye.

Take a walk around Walking Street in Pattaya, stroll down Patpong/Nana/Soi Cowboy in Bangkok or wonder around Patong in Phuket. You will be approached with men with menus, and not your average restaurant menu. Again, use your imagination. 

Fact is, these are popular. Despite the scams, despite the warnings, despite the complete and utter tastelessness, they are popular and will remain popular.

This won’t change, we all know it. I hope it does, but it won’t. It makes money, so it will remain.

Why my pessimism?

Go back not too long, Lady gaga visited Thailand. She tweeted about how excited she was to buy a fake Rolex and visit a lady show after landing in Bangkok.

Thais were angry, the ministry of tourism were angry. Fake Rolex in Bangkok? How dare you!

The anger faded, news changed, people forgot about it. What has changed since then?

Fake Rolex sellers banished from Bangkok? Not a chance. Visit most markets or take a walk down Sukhumvit road, you’ll be offered some.

This is not meant to offend Thailand, Thai people or anyone in fact. These things happen. Either stand up and make a change, or accept it when someone tells the world about it.

Don’t bury your head in the sand.