Thailand’s “etiquette guide” for foreigners
Thailand is reportedly to publish an “etiquette guide” for visitors, after complaints about “culturally-insensitive” foreigners.
According to the BBC, the country’s government felt compelled to act following the publication of a promotional poster for US film, which shows a man sitting on top of a Buddha statue. The film in question, Hollywood Buddha, tells the story of a film producer who takes up the Buddhist faith.
Thailand is overwhelmingly Buddhist, with religion considered to be one area that should never be insulted. The BBC reports that some officials have even called for the country to ban “malicious” foreigners.
The country’s vice-minister for culture, Weerasak Kowsurat, is quoted as saying: “It’s up to them (tourists) if they will believe and follow what we have suggested.”
The film’s writer and director Phillipe Caland has reportedly agreed to withdraw the poster, apologising for the “inadvertent insult and disrespect”.
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd
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