Thailand’s National Artist slams inappropriate behaviour abroad
Thailand’s renowned National Artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, also weighed in, criticising Thais who behave inappropriately overseas.
He said that even when travelling alone, every Thai represents the nation. “If you perform in public—whether beautifully or foolishly—it produces two outcomes: pride for the nation or shame for the nation.”
He stressed the need for Thais to understand global standards of taste and aesthetics. Good conduct abroad, he said, earns admiration for Thailand, but inappropriate behaviour in public leads to scorn.
“If you behave in a vulgar, low-taste way, they’ll look at us and say: ‘What a backward, ridiculous person—who is this?’” Chalermchai said.
AloJapan.com