Travel Tip:
Don't go to the beaches where the tourists are.
They only swim in tiny briefs, getting sunburned and stung by jellyfish.
Go to the beaches where the Thai people go and swim in clothes.
Enjoy the view and meet friendly local people.
Thai Swimwear
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Exposing too much of your skin will not only earn you a sunburn, but is also frowned at by the locals.
Thais consider public semi-nudity to be very low class.
They usually swim with their jeans and T-shirts on, now rainwear also becomes popular.
You're likely to cause offence if you wander around in skimpy gear.
"You should always swim in clothes.
It's a matter of respect."
"You should always swim in clothes." my Thai friend said.
"It is not a matter of being socially correct. It's just a matter of respect."
Thais prefer to 'prevent' tanned skin.
Much in the same way as westerners like to 'darken' our tans.
Thais want their skin as light as possible.
Tanned skin for westerners, usually indicates a lifestyle of leisure,
holiday making, good health, an ability to 'get out of the office' and relax.
For Thais, lighter skin usually reflects a similar lifestyle of leisure, air-conditioned condos, private cars,
indoor offices and umbrella'd escorts to and from parking lots (avoiding the sun, not the rain).
Put your clothes on - we are going for a swim
Thais bathe in clothing not just out of modesty or because they do not like a tan,
but because it pleases them to bathe dressed.
They sometimes change into different clothes before they go swimming.
Actually, in the hot climate bathing in clothes makes sense:
it is not necessary to spend time changing of clothes,
or worry about the clothing left on the shore.
Wet clothing protects from the heat.
Many westerners find it odd to see groups of Thais basking in the ocean waves in pants and long-sleeved shirts.
Much in the same way many Thais may find it inappropriate if we would wear only the barest necessities.
Why do Europeans prefer to be smeared by sun cream,
which protects the skin only from the sunburns
but leaves the harmful effect of ultraviolet rays, instead of imitating the Thais?
Probably, the majority of people prefer to follow habits.
If they meet someone with other habits,
then at best they be surprised at this, and they usually condemn it.
Swimming in Jeans and T-shirt
Picture the scene: a heavy day on the golf course.
Sweating, sweating, sweating.
Even the shower afterwards does not stop the perspiration.
One day we avoided the statutory after-golf shower, and went to a beach.
We sat under a palm-thatched hut,
and I idly watched Thais swimming in the sea with their clothes on.
Now I knew something about this. Modesty, my friend had said.
But, as with all things in Thailand, there's more to it.
Acting on impulse, I jumped into the sea and swam around,
wearing my perspiration-soaked T-shirt and jeans.
My companion was impressed and joined in.
But what was this?
As I sat soaked at the hut a little later, the breeze blew across my clothes,
and I found I had cooled down considerably.
My clothes dried out and I felt very comfortable indeed.
Another shower later at the hotel and I felt really good.
A case of Thais knowing their onions again.
For many times I bathed in sports wear
and I can say that this much more pleasant than bathing in some swimbriefs.
Felix
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