Of course, I can think of a few manners that some Thais ought to apply when dealing with "farang," but that's a different issue.

 

Here's the article:

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BANGKOK, Dec 4 (TNA)

 

Thailand's Ministry of Culture will distribute a handbook on Thai manners and 10 'Do's and Don'ts' in Thailand to foreign tourists to enable the visitors to understand and avoid doing things considered taboo in the kingdom, according to Ministrer of Culture Khunying Khaisri Sri-arun.

 

Khunying Khaisri said the handbook is designed to create more understanding among foreign tourists regarding Thai etiquette and actions that may not appropriate among the Thai public.

 

The Fine Arts Department and the Culture Monitoring Centre frequently receives complaints of inappropriate behaviour by foreigners such as placing Buddha image heads at inproper places.

 

"Some foreigners use the Buddha images as hatracks, some put them at the foot of their beds and some use them as a decoration in the product sales display cases," she said.

 

Many foreign tourists were found dressing inappropriately when visiting temples in Thailand, she added.

 

The minister said the handbook would be issued in eight languages including English, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic, and would be given to foreign embassies in Thailand for distribution.

 

The manual would also available at hotels, Suvarnabhumi Airport and on board Thai Airways International aircraft.

 

(TNA)-E003

Swiss man charged with lese majeste

 

(Compiled by Bangkokpost.com from Agencies)

 

A Swiss man was arrested on charges of insulting the monarchy by painting over images of His Majesty the King, police said today.

 

Jufer Oliver Rudolf, 57, was caught Tuesday on surveillance cameras spray painting over portraits of His Majesty with black paint at several locations in Chiang Mai, police Lt. Col Kittiphan Kamwan said. He was detained Wednesday night, and faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted, the police said.

 

Pol Lt Col Kittiphan said Rudolf claimed he was drunk.

 

The military has launched a separate investigation into the incident, suggesting Rudolf may have been hired by someone opposed to the Sept 19 coup.

 

"The suspect must have been hired by someone so I have ordered soldiers to investigate the incident and bring the mastermind of this crime to justice,' said Saprang Kanlayanamitr, a member of the Council for National Security.

 

No wonder one does not see much gaffitti in Thailand and what you do see

What a joke this book will be. Farangs can't even use good maners on the internet talking to each other. Any chance of teaching them to be polite to Thais is a waste of money.

 

They may be richer than Asians but most of them act they were bred in the gutter.

What a joke this book will be. Farangs can't even use good maners on the internet talking to each other. Any chance of teaching them to be polite to Thais is a waste of money.

 

They may be richer than Asians but most of them act they were bred in the gutter.

 

Agreed. I won't go so far as to say that most "farang" behave in that manner, but I do think, as long as they are going to publish this anyhow, that it would be a good idea to hand out the booklets on all international flights coming in to Thailand. Maybe that would help, but with some people I doubt much of anything would help.