Thai Panel Urges Action Against Lewd Massage Parade Video

Thivalrat revealed that the House Committee on Religion, Arts and Culture convened relevant agencies following widespread criticism over a viral parade video in Nakhon Ratchasima province featuring sexually explicit parodies of traditional Thai massage. The incident caused deep concern among citizens and Thai massage professionals, as traditional Thai massage is registered by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, and such depictions could mislead foreigners into associating the practice with sex work.

During the meeting, the committee summoned key agencies including the Department of Cultural Promotion, the Department of Health Service Support, Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Culture Office, Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Public Health Office, Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Office of Buddhism, Nakhon Ratchasima City Municipality, Chochai Subdistrict Municipality, and the Thai Traditional Massage Association to establish preventive measures, despite the organizers having already issued a public apology.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Representatives from Chochai Subdistrict Municipality clarified to the meeting that the parade was organized by a local community group intending to create humor, albeit out of a lack of awareness. Following the public backlash, both the organizers and the municipality issued an official apology and established strict future rules prohibiting obscene content or violations of good morals. Meanwhile, the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Office of Buddhism clarified that Wat Bing served merely as a gathering point for the traditional Candle Festival parade, and the abbot and monks had no involvement in conceiving or approving the explicit display.

For long-term prevention, the committee proposed that the Department of Cultural Promotion, acting as the secretariat for the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Policy Committee, exercise its authority under the Intangible Cultural Heritage Promotion and Preservation Act B.E. 2559 (2016) alongside the Computer Crime Act to promptly suspend online text, images, or videos that disparage national cultural heritage. Furthermore, they noted that current laws lack clear criminal penalties for offenders, suggesting legislative amendments to ensure effective deterrence.