Naturism in Thailand

There have been quite a few scandals in the past few years involving bare-breasted Thai ladies enjoying Songkran festivities. This has sparked a heated social debate about what is and is not acceptable in Thai culture, with the Thai Culture Ministry believing that public nudity diminishes Thai culture. At the same time, however, that very Ministry sported bare-breasted celestial beauties on their official website.

During all this time, the members of the Naturist Association of Thailand (NAT), active since 2005, minded their own business and stayed out of the controversy. Indeed, although they are naturists (also known as nudists), they do not advocate public nudity, which is against Thai law. Instead, naturism is a lifestyle that advocates personal, family and social nudism (assumed to take place on private property).

But let’s see what the Thai Criminal Code really says about nudity: 
”Whoever, doing any shameful act in public by indecently exposing oneself’s person, or by committing the other indecent act, shall be fined not out of five hundred Baht.” (Section 388 of the Thai Penal Code, Book III).

It is clear in the paragraph, filed under “Petty Offenses,” that it deals with indecent behavior by persons exposing themselves as a sexual statement. Petty offenses are criminal offenses that are so small that the offender will not have the right to be put before a jury, but may simply be fined by the law. The word “in public” is defined in the general provisions of the whole Thai Penal Code in the following way: “Public way” means a land or waterway used by the public for traffic, and includes a railway or tramway used for public conveyance; “Public place” means a place to which the public has a right of entry.

Greger Moeller, a 59-year-old naturist from Denmark, has been in Thailand for over 20 years and has been involved in the naturist movement in Thailand since 2005. He is also the president of the Naturist Association of Thailand and, for him, the Thai law is clear: “As naturists are not exposing themselves in public, there is no offence committed. The law does not regulate nudity in private and we are therefore only nude in a private resort or home. That said, we would like to see some sections of beaches or remote beaches being defined as clothing-optional out of view of people who dislike seeing undressed people.”

Based in Bangkok, where he is the managing director of a publishing and marketing company, Moeller was first exposed to naturism during his childhood. “My parents were naturists and most vacations were spent at beaches in Europe where nobody was wearing anything except a sweater if it was windy,” he recalled.

The Thailand Naturist group was started in 2005 by Moeller and a group of Thai friends. At present, it has over 1300 members and has continued to grow at a predictable rate for the past five years. Their members come from all walks of life, from CEOs of Thai and international corporations to taxi drivers and everything in between. In addition, there are members from every major religion and every continent.

“We have a growing Thai membership, as well as members from international locations. We have strict rules of conduct and behavior for our members both in social settings and on our membership site. It is a fact that we ban members who violate the rules of conduct and behavior, and we have done so. This has only happened seven times since we started,” clarified Moeller.

The mission of the Naturist Association of Thailand, as stated on their website is to promote a lifestyle of health and wellness for people who enjoy clothing-optional and naturist recreation in Thailand: “Our concept is based on the well-known positive effect of naturism on stress and tensions and its boosting effect on self respect and positive body image.”

Although to some Thailand has quite a conservative society, Thai people consist of many layers of different cultural beliefs. Moeller is of the opinion that, “a large part of the population would not accept to be called ‘quite conservative.’ Most of the Thai people I encounter in my private life and business life find naturism odd, but acceptable. They have no wish to try it themselves but have no problem that we practice it when we are together. But there are other people in Thailand who see themselves as cultural cherubs and see naturism as an attack on their view of what is ‘correct’ Thai culture.”

Recently, the naturists in Thailand have also published the first issue of a magazine about nudism simply called “NAT.” The target market for this magazine is the NAT membership, people interested in naturism, and the public at large. The first issue is actually an educational piece about naturism, giving an overview for people not familiar with the concept so they can get a bigger and fairer picture of it. (The magazine is available online via issuu.com.)

According to the statistics provided by the publishers, the readership of “NAT” covers every continent, including all of North America, all but one country in South America, every country in Europe, and every Asian country except Bhutan. The highest readership was registered from the USA, Thailand and the UK.

“The naturist movement is still in the beginning stages in Thailand but will catch up to Europe, Australia, and America within a few years as more people realize the positive and healthy aspects of naturism. Naturism attracts quality visitors and guests both international and local all year long and the repeat guest rate to a naturist resort is higher than regular hotels and resorts so more resorts here in Thailand look for ways to increase their booking occupancy during low season,” said Moeller.

“Naturism is not defined by religion, culture, tradition or family values. It is something within each individual that tells them they are more comfortable not wearing clothes. It is not some evil spirit, as we view the human body as something natural and wonderful in whatever size or shape it comes in. Once people learn and understand what the principles of naturism are, they quickly see that it is a positive way of life,” concluded Greger Moeller.

Thailand Naturists meet at member resorts and at private homes for barbeques or picnics in remote locations away from public view. Membership is free to anyone who is interested in naturism. If you want to find out more about naturism, then you can also attend the 2^nd Annual Thailand International Naturist Conference, scheduled for 7-9 June, 2013 in Pattaya. It will include discussions and workshops on a variety of naturist topics. For more information, contact the Naturist Association of Thailand at +66 (0)81 629 0117 or 
info[at]ThailandNaturist[dot]com.

Initially published in “Bangkok Trader” (June 2013, Vol. 7, No. 7)