BANGKOK — Photos of graffiti left by Thai tourists on the Great Wall of China have sparked an internet outrage back at home.

The photos were posted on the webforum Pantip earlier this week under the sarcastic title "Please see the fine art painting on the Great Wall of China by Thai artists, unmatched by any other nation in the world."

The scribbles were apparently written on stretches of the ancient wall with white correction pens. Many of the messages were proclamations that certain Thai individuals had been there, accompanied with their names.

"Maya was here," reads one. "Praphatsaraphon was here," proclaims another.

Some individuals made sure the international audience was alerted of their Thai nationality. One scribbler, who called herself Jinny, wrote "I am Thai" next to her name.

The images drew wide condemnation from Thai internet users back at home, with some commentators pointing out the hypocrisy of Thai citizens who often criticise Chinese tourists for their disruptive behaviour while visiting Thaialnd.

"Imagine if you visit the Temple of Emerald Buddha and saw these scribblings on the wall of the temple, what would you feel?" wrote an internet commentator, referring to one of Bangkok's top tourist destinations.

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BANGKOK — Photos of graffiti left by Thai tourists on the Great Wall of China have sparked an internet outrage back at home.

The photos were posted on the webforum Pantip earlier this week under the sarcastic title "Please see the fine art painting on the Great Wall of China by Thai artists, unmatched by any other nation in the world."

The scribbles were apparently written on stretches of the ancient wall with white correction pens. Many of the messages were proclamations that certain Thai individuals had been there, accompanied with their names.

"Maya was here," reads one. "Praphatsaraphon was here," proclaims another.

Some individuals made sure the international audience was alerted of their Thai nationality. One scribbler, who called herself Jinny, wrote "I am Thai" next to her name.

The images drew wide condemnation from Thai internet users back at home, with some commentators pointing out the hypocrisy of Thai citizens who often criticise Chinese tourists for their disruptive behaviour while visiting Thaialnd.

"Imagine if you visit the Temple of Emerald Buddha and saw these scribblings on the wall of the temple, what would you feel?" wrote an internet commentator, referring to one of Bangkok's top tourist destinations.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
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BANGKOK — Thailand’s media-regulating body says it has fined three private TV channels for airing the critically acclaimed American TV series "Dexter” because the show is too "violent.”

Col. Natee Sukolrat, deputy chairman of the NBTC, was quoted by Daily News as saying that Dexter has violated Article 37 of the 2008 Broadcasting Act, which prohibits airing content that could "lead to the overthrow of democratic regime with the King as Head of State, or affect the national security, peace and order, and morals of the people, and actions that tend to be pornographic or lead to degradation of mind or health of the public."

The NBTC's deputy chairman reportedly argued that Dexter violates Article 37 because it is too violent, even though violence and sexual abuse are regularly seen on the soap operas aired on state-owned television channels. 

Dexter, which tells the story of a vigilante who disguises himself as a forensic science investigator, was a huge hit in the US where it recieved four straight Primetime Emmy nominations for Best Drama series.  

According to Daily News, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has fined Thai TV channels GMM, CTH, and TOT 50,000 baht each for airing the series.

"Even though it is a foreign-made series that cannot be altered in its content, it is still not appropriate to be aired in Thailand," Col. Natee said, according to Daily News. 

The NBCT has an extensive record of punishing broadcasters and censoring media content using a broad interpretation of Article 37. 

The victims include an episode of Thailand Got Talent that featured a woman who painted a canvass with her naked breasts, a TV soap opera Nuea Mek (Above the Cloud) that reportedly insulted the "higher institution,” and a televised debate that pitted pro-monarchy academics against a famous critic of the Thai Royal Family, Somsak Jeamteerasakul.

The eleven-person NBTC panel consists of five military officers, one police officer, and five civilians. 

CORRECTION: The original article incorrectly said that the NBTC panel consists of five military officers, one police officer, and "four civilians." The correct figure is five civilians.

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BANGKOK — Thailand’s media-regulating body says it has fined three private TV channels for airing the critically acclaimed American TV series "Dexter" because the show is too "violent."

Col. Natee Sukolrat, deputy chairman of the NBTC, was quoted by Daily News as saying that Dexter has violated Article 37 of the 2008 Broadcasting Act, which prohibits airing content that could "lead to the overthrow of democratic regime with the King as Head of State, or affect the national security, peace and order, and morals of the people, and actions that tend to be pornographic or lead to degradation of mind or health of the public."

The NBTC's deputy chairman reportedly argued that Dexter violates Article 37 because it is too violent, even though violence and sexual abuse are regularly seen on the soap operas aired on state-owned television channels. 

Dexter, which tells the story of a vigilante who disguises himself as a forensic science investigator, was a huge hit in the US where it recieved four straight Primetime Emmy nominations for Best Drama series.  

According to Daily News, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has fined Thai TV channels GMM, CTH, and TOT 50,000 baht each for airing the series.

"Even though it is a foreign-made series that cannot be altered in its content, it is still not appropriate to be aired in Thailand," Col. Natee said, according to Daily News. 

The NBCT has an extensive record of punishing broadcasters and censoring media content using a broad interpretation of Article 37. 

The victims include an episode of Thailand Got Talent that featured a woman who painted a canvass with her naked breasts, a TV soap opera Nuea Mek (Above the Cloud) that reportedly insulted the "higher institution,” and a televised debate that pitted pro-monarchy academics against a famous critic of the Thai Royal Family, Somsak Jeamteerasakul.

The eleven-person NBTC panel consists of five military officers, one police officer, and five civilians. 

CORRECTION: The original article incorrectly said that the NBTC panel consists of five military officers, one police officer, and "four civilians." The correct figure is five civilians.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
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