American tourists don’t have the greatest reputation around the world, and now thanks to one San Diego gay couple, it’s even worse.
Joseph and Travis Dasilva, a married couple behind a now-shuttered Instagram account called @traveling_butts, were arrested at Don Mueang airport Tuesday night while trying to leave Thailand.
Their offense? They posted multiple photos of their bare buttocks taken at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), a Buddhist temple and popular tourist destination in Bangkok.
The men, both 38-years-old, dropped trou at the religious historical site, snapped some photos, and uploaded them to their account with 14K followers.
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After receiving intense backlash online — some of it virulently homophobic — they deleted their Instagram account.
And the BBC reports that the two will likely be banned from ever returning to Thailand, and could be facing jail time:
Deputy spokesman of the Thai immigration police, Col Choengron Rimpadee, told the BBC the two had been on a watch-list after authorities had spotted the controversial social media post.
“Once they are through with the charges, the Thai immigration police will revoke their visas and push for deportation,” he said. “They will also be blacklisted from coming back to Thailand.”
He explained the two were brought to Bangkok Yai police station to be charged with public nakedness, an offence liable for a fine of up to 5,000 baht ($153; £115).
However, other Thai government and police officials have told media that the charges could be more serious.
“Though I am very disappointed in their actions, I am talking to U.S. government officials to see what assistance we can give them,” San Diego city commissioner Murray Ramirez told San Diego Gay and Lesbian News.
Was it a stupid thing to do? Yes, almost certainly. As a general rule, when traveling abroad you should be respectful of the culture you’re experiencing as a guest.
But prison doesn’t strike us as anywhere near appropriate. We wish them a speedy return to San Diego where they can hit up Black’s Beach and air out their cakes whenever they please.
not a clone
FOOLS
DeserTBoB
Today’s gay males seem to work full time devising ways to makes themselves look like brain dead idiots. That’s but one reason I no longer am active in nor do I contribute to gay causes, charities (most of which are scams nowadays) or patronize gay businesses. The behavior of guys like these two fuquetards is just the tip of the gay rights destruction iceberg. Irresponsible new HIV infection rates and THE WORST meth addiction rate of all social demographic groups are others. Let Pence and his nutters have their way with you; you’ve embarrassed me for the LAST time. You’re on your own.
JCalvinius
And for today’s lesson, boys and girls, we will demonstrate how to be part of the problem rather than the solution!
(They may have done a country wrong there but they will learn and grow. Others will, too. Despite your rush to pass judgement on a community and culture just getting out of it’s stunted adolescence. It’s alright. We’ve gotten ahead by long strides and leaps and bounds despite morons like you. Be gone, troll. Don’t let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya.)
RamblingManNJ
Yes Desert Bob what they did was stupid and disrespectful and they need to face up to the consequences. On a side note however you need to see a psychologist about your self hatred.
James
DeserTBoB, Oh please, you are not even gay. Just a homophobic troll pretending to be gay in order to spread your hate. No gay person ever talks like that about gay people. Get lost.
Buie
DeserTBoB
You are generalizing and stereotyping, based on the antics of some metro-urban gays. Most gays live in small towns and rural America.
WMLA04
Thailand takes this type of conduct very seriously. You can be sentenced to death for trafficking in drugs! I know gay guys think this is sooooooo funny but at a temple in a foreign country, you kinda deserve what you get. They might get off with deportation, but they may get jail time. But that’s not bad considering they could have faced lashing with a whip in an Arab nation or canning in Singapore. Guys this is not funny at all and don’t think Donald Trump is going to save your ass!
TheBigOne
Actually, no, not all “gay guys” think that this is funny.
I’d appreciate it if you didn’t generalize a whole group of people based on the activities of a couple of assholes.
Marcus.C.Tomazetti
@WMLA04
I agree 100%. This is not even near funny, totally disrespectful to their culture and religion beliefs. I don’t think jail time is unappropriated, a least for 1 weak or two to get down to earth on respecting other cultures.
Hairry Last
Yes no matter how cute your butts are, NOT IN A CHURCH ?
pabloinla
In Thailand you can be jailed for criticizing the royal family, including on social media, on the street, in a bus!
In Temples, people are to have their legs covered and there are sarongs available to wrap around the waist for men and women who wear shorts.
In what appears to be such a socially open culture, it’s actually quite repressive in many ways. Male and female prostitution is legal, but don’t show skin at a temple!
And get that part that they were on a watch list for their postings! Big brother scopes out all travelers to their land…creepy!
TheGregoryProject
American Tourists. Shocking.
DawnTrans
I call for a punishment that fits the crime! Thailand is one of the Asian countries that still issues public caning as a form of punishment, very apropos in this case as well as a few months in the gulag.
Bob LaBlah
I thought the same thing (caning) but in this case I would make it a public “2×4” across their bare asses five times and if they scream out in pain ONCE double it to ten whacks. Seriously, I think a very STRONG message needs to be sent that this type of shit is not funny nor sexy. That was a TEMPLE they did that at and drugs or being two silly ass hyped up queens with no respect for anyone or themselves is no excuse. It will serve as a reminder to the next two obnoxious queens that travel abroad and look for ignorant things to do just to put online for people to laugh at.
James
dawntrans, Oh please, what a hate filled thing to say and coming from you of all people. Why don’t you cane yourself since you could easily be arrested, caned etc. in a foreign country for being transgendered. Some people are so stupid and full of it.
James
Bob LaBlah, go back to the Stone Age. Nobody is interested in your sick view of torture.
Bob LaBlah
James I’m sure you and YOUR youtube.com followers see nothing wrong with shit like this or walking down the middle of 5th ave during the gay pride parade wearing a jockstrap with an American flag sticking out of one’s ass but there are still a few gay men and women out there with a sense of respect and decency for the religious sites of others. I am in atheist but I still would not go into St. Patricks Cathedral, pull down my drawers and take a selfie. There are some places you simply do not go and regrettably those two queens took the equivalent of a super sonic jet to get there (as in insulting Thailand) in my opinion.
Kinsey6
I agree with James. Torture is never right. A stupid and childish act doesn’t mean state-sponsored human rights abuses should be committed in response.
That doesn’t mean I think what the Dasilvas did was acceptable in any way though. Not only was it insulting to the Thais and gives Americans a bad name (something we can’t afford in the age of having a monster like Orange Caligula as president), but more importantly, it especially gives a bad name to all gays to anyone in the world who is already a homophobe. And something else too I just thought of; I’m sure there are other cultures around the world where showing your butt would be seen differently than it is here, and being that it was two gay guys who did it, would probably be seen more as some type of reference to their mistaken view that all gays have anal sex (which most homophobes view as abominable/reprehensible anyway).
captainburrito
@ Bob LaBlah
If the naked butt is so offensive, whipping it out to be publicly caned would seem kinda silly.
Marcus.C.Tomazetti
Totally agree with all the punishes above. It’s not a matter to be in the 5th century like some have said but KNOW THE CULTURE OF THE COUNTRY YOU’RE TRAVELLING TOO. If you don’t agree nor like the way they think, just don’t go, simple as that.
Marcus.C.Tomazetti
*to
switcher
I agree… what they did was stupid and in poor taste.
However, Thailand is also one of the world destinations for gender reassignment surgery, and also have a very lax attitude towards the sex trade. Let’s not make the excuse that the country is puritanical or innocent.
Knight
Bob wow…as a Christian man, my hat’s off to you. Much respect for the courage it took to make that statement.
Switcher I’m not understanding your train of thought between Thailand not being “innocent” here. The fact that they DO allow gender reassignment, have a very open gay culture as well as a large “red light” district does not mean they can not be spiritual or religious and want respect for the sites they consider holy. In fact, I think it’s both misguided and ignorant to use the word “puritanical”, which is a very Western construct, on a Buddhist society. What is ethical or taboo in one religion is not always the same in another. It sounds like you’re too hung up the Western values you were raised in to understand other cultures.
Allen1088
The only Asian countries that use public caning, are the ones that were once ruled by the British. Thailand was never ruled by the British, and as such, does not use public caning as a form of punishment. Some school teachers once used the cane on students, but that practice was outlawed in the year 2000.
James
BobLaBlah, go blah somewhere else. You are obviously a log cabin troll and trump supporter.
Knight
James hey, check yourself. First, there are no political prerequisites to post here. Second, this topic has nothing to do with politics. Third, if YOU can’t handle a difference of opinion, then maybe YOU are too immature to participate in a conversation and shouldn’t be commenting. You might be having a bad day or whatever, but that doesn’t mean you should disrespect people just for a difference of opinion …especially on this board.
KaiserVonScheiss
Idiots. Doing that is illegal in many places, including the US.
Ptar1
Not really. Many place, such as Ohio, the butt is not a private part. So, showing your ass is not illegal, literally.
Knight
Ptar it is actually a city-by-city ordinance in the US. In some cities showing your @$$ in public is actually a sex crime and you have to go on the sex offenders list if convicted. Just depends on the jurisdiction and if they really want to punish an individual https://www.counterpunch.org/2008/11/18/when-mooning-is-a-sex-crime/
ShowMeGuy
Thailand ? The country were you can do a sex tour of brothels and obtain the services of 12 year olds…….is offended by two queens flashing their butts at a temple? Seriously?
Bob LaBlah
Just curious but are any of those twelve year olds having sex at ANY of Thailand’s temples?
AndThenTheresMax
*sigh* Why does this not surprise me?! You know I studied this type of social media behvaiour in university and there is a formal name for it. (I’m sure you won’t care what it is but here’s what it means.) Social media is all about “the self” therefore people, especially gay men, think they can be all badass and “dangerous” on Instagram and Snapchat by posting whatever they want. Or by doing whatever they want in the name of validation aka “likes” or “comments”.
Here’s the problem. It leads people to do things they SHOULDN’T BE doing. Meaning, “Oh well, I’m gay so I’m queer and here so here’s my bubble butt in an ancient temple where homosexuality is punishable by death. Take this BIATCHES!!” *insert ass flash here*
…and that’s why we are reading this today. Remember just because gay is OK in the G-20 countries there’s a lot of countries where is not. Isn’t that common sense? #facepalm
Creamsicle
Yeah social media gimmicks might seem like a fun idea when you scroll through an app on your phone, but they don’t reflect reality. Honestly, this behavior would be uniformly condemned as juvenile idiocy if any couple made it their thing, gay or straight. Just feels like they were trying to become a viral instagram account that specializes in butt pictures around the world, but it just backfired big time.
David Myers
Thailand is not one of those countries “where homosexuality is punishable by death”. It is, in fact, very gay and trans friendly. That being said they don’t take lightly disrespect for their religious temples nor for disrespect for their Emperor. What they did was stupid and disrespectful and I am disappointed that gay Americans are helping to uphold the history of the “Ugly Americans” attitudes. That does not excuse the homophobia being exhibited in many of the comments here and I question whether all of the posters here are even gay. I’m sure there are some homophobic TROLLS here. But these two guys do not do anything to help with the cause for LGBTQ rights because they are selfish and disrespectful of other cultures and other countries. Grow up ignoramuses! And to the homophobic TROLLS here . . . begone TROLLS you have no power here!
AndThenTheresMax
@David Myers I didn’t say, if you read my post and not just skimmed it, that Thailand did anything to harm gays. Um, but I think you wanna review you stance on Thailand’s policies on gays and lesbians. Here’s why: https://www.queerty.com/gay-couple-flashed-butts-thai-temples-now-royally-screwed-20171130?utm_source=notification&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=onesignal
rugay666
Anyone STUPID enough to use Instagram deserves t go to jail for being too dumb to realize that it is basically open to the public.
daniel13
I agree 100% and have no sympathy with any tourists who are insensitive to the culture of the countries they are visiting and show such a lack of respect. They should receive the full force of Thai law and be punished severely , and most certainly black listed from returning to Thailand. These are not the kind of tourists we want in this beautiful country.
They don’t even have the defense of being young and foolish…..just foolish.
artgolden
Morons.
Dan
Ugly Americans…the stereotype lives on thanks to d-bags like these 2 guys. When you travel to a foreign country you are a guest and as a guest you must respect their culture. Your rights as an American end at the border.
Will L
They basically desecrated a Buddhist temple in Thailand… They deserve everything that they get.
wvrnsson
I agree. Not that it was good to do anywhere in a foreign country, but to do it at a religious site makes it even worse
tomron
After years of slowly and painfully diminishing the epithet “ugly American tourist”, it’s a shame that we now have gays doing their best to replace it with “ugly GAY American tourists”!
Kieran
This is like Thai tourists mooning people in the Mary chapel at St Patrick’s cathedral.
Disrespectful.
Knight
Never heard of that. But yeah…equally disgusting and sad.
CNXman
Please provide a link to your assertion. A Google search did not reveal any links to the alleged incident. There was a link to the above story though.
Knight
CNX actually, Kieran was speaking in a hypothetical (my bad for misreading it initially myself). He said “this is like” as in “it would be just as bad as”. So, it didn’t happen, but his point is definitely made.
Silent_Joe
*facepalm* When visiting other countries, don’t do the “Ugly American” thing.
nvalencia
I’m sorry but i agree with Thailand’s law, you can not go to another country and be so disrespectful to their culture, and this has nothing to do with the fact that they are gay, they are just stupid and disrespectful.
paul dorian lord fredine
they’re supposed to be adults. stupid. stupid. stupid.
james7
Did anyone die? Is anyone in the hospital bleeding because of this? It was a harmless prank, might have been stupid, but still harmed no one.
Bob LaBlah
Has the entire younger generation of gay Americans morphed into histrionic assholes like you? Is there not anything your type find off limits regarding pranks for the sake of nothing else but mindless online posts on their Instagram, youtube, snapchat, kik etc..channels?
Nightman
No one has to die or be bleeding to be hurt by this abusive behaviour. Gay people have been hurt for decades by society and laws, and in some cases did die and were left bleeding. As Gay men they should be knowledgeable about the abuse Gay people have suffered, and sensitive to the social parameters of other cultures and societies. Their insolant actions caused emotional, cultural, religious damage and hurt to a very religous counrty, done by some arrogant USA as*ho*es, litteraly and figuratively. james7’s response is typical of USA people, “it’s no big deal” just like when they bomb other countries to steal their oil, it’s no big deal!!! They are just too closed minded to respect themselves, their own country and their flag. Maybe I’ll go moon Trumpy baby. See how they feel about that.
Knight
Bob I agree with you entirely…but come on. You can get your point across without calling this guy names like that. Yes, he’s not the most polite here either, but at a certain point on this site we need to stop coming at each other with rude names just because we disagree.
There are 2 people on this site I have a particular disgust for at this point; not because of disagreement, but because they are trolling me incessantly and beyond rational conversation. I’m hoping this entire site goes in the opposite direction, otherwise it will just become a shouting match.
James
Bob LaBlah, get lost you uptight troll. Go back to the log cabin club and your stupid trump. YOU DO NOT FOOL ANYONE AS TO YOUR HATE FILLED ANTI-GAY PURPOSE IN LIFE.
Knight
James oddly, I JUST said to Bob how he should disagree with you in a respectful way, then you come back and behave like a raving bitch. Seriously…what are you doing here if you cannot tolerate a difference of opinion? What kind of person are you?
Danny595
Couple of sleazy guys with no sense of propriety. These are the kinds of people who turn gay pride into sex and nudity festival. I hope the Thai government throws them in prison.
BriBri
Dorothy, you’re not in Kansas anymore girl!
sfconde
Well said! no more is necessary.
Danny595
You’re effeminate.
Paco
You would think that 38 year olds would be beyond engaging in juvenile pranks and have enough sense to show respect to the cultures they visit.
At least it wasn’t a Muslim country. Deportation and banning wouldn’t even be an option.
Knight
Tienes razón, pero el mayor tiene 38 años mientras su chavo tiene unos 24…así que el mayor DEBERÍA de comportarse con maduréz, pero no es así. El jovenazo es buena gente, pero a la vez muy crédulo, y lo siento mucho que su pareja le manipulaba tanto y no le daba buenos consejos. La verdad es que no creo que seguirán juntos por mucho tiempo más cuando regresan.
Bob LaBlah
“su chavo tiene unos 24″…………………
Knight, do you think it possible that had mommie or daddy put a strong hand or belt once or twice across his rear end or gave him a good shaking he would by now know not to believe and follow every kookie idea and thought some one else put in his head? The little pedejito needs a good kick back there to teach him how to respect people and cultures, or so it seems to me.
Knight
Bob he actually is a very nice guy and treats people around him quite well. So, I’d say he had a pretty decent upbringing. But obviously he chose to live in the gay lifestyle when he left his home country (against the wishes of his parents, FYI…so not all of their advice mattered). And the “gay ghetto” they live in is kind of an echo-chamber; you don’t really get any ethics, morals or divergent opinions other than 1. diversity is not to be questioned 2. Be tolerant of everyone on the approved list 3. If you’re hot, flaunt it, since you will be graded accordingly.
So, I agree with you that this was wrong, and I’m absolutely not defending it. I’m simply saying, I know how impressionable he is.
Bob LaBlah
Wow! Knight, it sounds like you really KNOW these guys. Ok, well, we all do dumb things (mine were always career choices) and this too will pass.
Knight
Bob I would say I “know” one of them, but have met them both. And yeah, career choices can be a real bitch-slap too 😉 I’m kind of in a state now where I’m wondering if I should make a change too. Money’s there, but no time to enjoy it anymore. I hope you have found the “balance” in whatever career path you chose.
Bob LaBlah
@ol’ Knight………………thanks for the compliment. And don’t forget to load up on the fruitcakes to send to people you just “love”. It is Christmas time, don’t FORGET. lol lol
As for a career change just remember to try not to end up being another her. lol lol And tell Mr. “Knight” I said hello. lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQv4T-nSOPc
Knight
LOL!! That commercial was funny! Wondering if “Edna” was a man or woman…not like it matters 😛
There’s no “Mr” or “Missus” Knight…too young to settle down (or even date seriously). Once the libido subsides, I might think about it, but for now…VERY happy being single : ) And yeah, enjoy the holidays with your peeps.
fur_hunter
THIS is the kind of Stupidity that will give the Gays more bad publicity. One bad apple spoils the bunch. I can’t wait to hear the rants of the religious intolerant fundamentalists regarding this act…..even though THEY would be just the ones condemning the Buddhist faith for not believing in Jesus. Some people just don’t have a brain in their heads. Total AIRHEADS. OK….that’s two steps backward for the gay community.
sfconde
Harmless prank, perhaps, but when traveling i believe one really needs to be aware and sensitive of the culture they are visiting. What may seem like a “harmless prank” to us may be a serious issue in a different culture and when in that culture need to be prepared to face their system if we make bad decisions. Harmless? big picture, yes but also a pretty bad decision in THEIR culture. probably two perfectly lovey guys who made a bad, bad call. in my opinion if you have a spark of a question whether what your doing is wise? Don’t, especially in this time where everyone is watching and especially when in another culture. that’s my two cents.
Knight
I agree. And I’ve actually told one of them as much.
Nightman
This is NOT a Gay crime or issue. It’s typical USA citizen arrogance. Then they wonder why all the other countries can’t tollerate them. A good caning, 25 lashes each, on their butts (since that’s THEIR chosen instrument to cause violation of the law) is in order & then 25 years in jail, Maybe they’ll think with their big heads next time. But I doubt, it being from the USA. Does the punishmet suit the crime? Maybe not by USA lax standards, but those are irrelevant. It’s how the Thai Gov’t feels about it that’s important.
jimmypalmieri
their butts are the only thing worth worshipping at that temple of lies.
Knight
I’m not Buddhist, but I think disrespecting ANY religion or culture is wrong. The thing is, they honestly don’t believe they were doing anything bad or disrespectful. They kind of live in a “bubble” of their own friends/well-wishers/admirers who fawn over their butts…which to me is not what I would ever want to be known for (or any part of my anatomy to be honest).
Knight
LOL…actually embarrassed to admit but I actually know them. The background story here is as one could have guessed, both are pretty out there. They live in Cali, but they aren’t from here. The older guy competes in the “gay Mr Universe” shows and made his money in tech back in the day. He SHOULD be a kid of mentor to the younger one (who is a really nice guy…just too trusting).
Lo siento, mi chamo si estás leyendo….pero te lo dije dos veces, eh. Te tienes que cuidar, sobfetodo en lugares ajenos.
Greg
The article says they are both 38 years old.
Knight
Greg rule number 1: NEVER believe Queerty. NEVER. I cannot stress this enough. You’re lucky if half of what they say in any article is correct. You can find him on facebook and check out his pictures there…he’s not 38. And his BF looks like he’s in his 40s in person.
judysdad
Lock ’em up, throw away the key. What utter maroons.
M K
Maybe our Offender-in-Chief can also negotiate their release as he was so capable of doing for the thieving basketball boys.
NateOcean
Cue the GoFundMe campaign.
And then a tour of the morning talk shows.
=============
Sheesh, you’re a *guest* in a foreign county, and you disrespect folks that way?
Would you parade around like that in any house of worship in your home country?
Did you two visit your mom’s house and expose the inlaws to your your bare asses at Thanksgiving?
Knight
You probably haven’t seen their instagram page, but the answer is “yes”. It was their thing; they’ve been to the Vatican, Angkor Wat, DC…pretty much anywhere/any monument you can think of doing the same thing. They had a huge following; over 14,000 (which I guess is a lot…I don’t really know since I’m not on instagram). I just know this because I know them and the younger dude would show off the pics on his phone whenever he was around.
Rouxben
With crap like this going on no wonder gays still have a hard time being taken seriously. There is a time and place for harmless pranks. A holy place such as a shrine, temple, or mosque is definitely NOT the right place.
David Myers
Hear hear!
Artiewhitefox
Arresting them for showing a God made part is ridiculous. I would say repenisulous.
Artiewhitefox
Arresting them for showing a God made part is ridiculous. I would say repenisulous. The lower legs arms, hands, head and butt are the only God made things that are seen in the photo. Make clothing optional legal
Artiewhitefox
Arresting them for showing a God made part is ridiculous. I would say repenisulous. The lower legs, arms, hands, head and butt are the only God made things that are seen in the photo. Make clothing optional legal.
Keith
Really? In a foreign country and you gleefully show such wanton disrespect if not contempt not only for their cultural-historical sights but their religious historical sights? Would you want them showing up and doing something equally offensive to something you admire and respect? Immature at least. Americans are not popular tourists because of this arrogance, contempt for their host countries people, culture, sights etc. Some places hate the influx. This is why. Not as bad a carving your name into the Colesium in Rome, but just as ignorant & offensive.
Knight
Keith I agree with you. All I can say is the younger guy honestly doesn’t/didn’t think he was ever doing something wrong. It’s what happens when you have a bunch of guys fawning over you saying how “hot” the pictures are, and the guy who is supposed to be the most interested in protecting your well being sets a bad example.
And yeah, the American bitches who carved their name into the colosseum were beyond stupid. all i can say is British are even worse, and actually notorious for showing their butts like this when traveling.
Curtispsf
Yes, what they did was tasteless. Yes, they showed disrespect for both the country they were a guest of AND disrespect towards a religious institution, and yes, they must face the consequences for their childish behavior BUT let’s not get caught up in the hysteria of the moment like Bob LaBlah suggests.
I favor a week’s imprisonment followed by deportation and a ban on any further visits to Thailand. That should impress other visitors with the seriousness of the charges and should take care of the problem.
kansasteddybear
what assholes, they deserve anything they get. I just cannot understand why Americans don’t think he have to follow local laws when traveling outside the country. like those basketball players in China and their shoplifting. as the saying goes, don’t want to do the time, don’t do the crime. I have no sympathy.
XombieGuy
How ridiculous. Just another reason I despise religion. Idiots and they’re invisible sky friends. Who gives a damn if two guys showed their ass at a temple? I don’t care if they go inside and take a shit on the altar. It’s all religious nonsense. Almost every problem on Earth is because of someone’s stupid religion. It’s as if all the gods the crazy people believe in are having a pissing contest. If you think they should be punished for showing there butts, maybe you are the one that needs to be beat with a cane.
Ed
Or maybe every problem on earth is caused by the lack of any interest in understanding others and respecting their beliefs.
JerseyMike
ED… Absolutely the best comment every!!!!! I am not a religious person at all BUT I respect others right to believe what they believe. There is no reason to show disrespect because you don’t believe or its not your thing. When I at dinner with people who want to pray, I will respect their beliefs and let them pray while I remain silent. I order to get respect is by respecting others.
markhfreeman
On one of my visits to Thailand we were going out for the night, and I put my money in my sock. My friend who lives there made me take it out immediately. I had broken several taboos that even the gay Thais that I would likely meet at the bar would find shocking and repulsive. One, feet are considered the dirty, disrespectful part of the body, and even sitting crosslegged where the sole of your foot is inadvertently pointed at someone is a pretty severe no-no. Second, the King’s image is on the money and he is both considered sacred and was actually beloved as a strong force for common people against the police and military. So having his image next to your foot was highly insulting. These guys took it one step further, insulting the Buddha and his holy temple. If you are not interested in learning about the country you are visiting, or really couldn’t care less, why not stay home? I would not blame the Thai authorities for keeping their passports and letting them deal with US immigration without them. It would be interesting to see who the worst “sticklers” are.
Garth
What would possibly make them believe this was an acceptable thing to do ? They must have the I.Q. of a freaking rock .
Rico
Are You Kidding Me? How Stupid Can Someone be, Especially when your in a foreign country, you should always respect their culture, these two ass’s give Gay Americans a bad name. I would Ban them from ever returning to tailand and fine them, make them be shown in public as stupid thing’s you shouldn’t do..
Dymension
Once again, Americans show how stupid they are.
jhon_siders
Why would any one want to visit Thailand ?? Only thought you went there to have sex with young boys ? 3rd world country like the Philippines worked as a oil field fire fighter traveled all over most countries and there laws are really messed up cant see why they got upset I whizzed on that wall the old guys were praying at ??
Ed
Because Thailand is a beautiful country with wonderful people and their culture and religious institutions deserve our respect. When in Rome do as the Romans do. They don’t hate us, they are very accepting of us and they are entitled to the same respect. I am sorry you have such disdain for other Countries and Cultures.
artoir
After reading many of the comments here (some rather extreme), all I have to say is wow. Maybe one day when these two “American hero butt showers” get all growed up, at 38 even, maybe they’ll settle down and be constructive. Why is it so many people want nothing more than to be validated by doing something stupid? Gay or straight isn’t really the point, but in this case it has to be, simply because the way people have always seen us. So these two decide to hammer the excuses to hate gay people even deeper into the wood rot. People who don’t understand us in the first place take this as a “kiss my ass” statement that too many of us still hold on to, simply because they think resistance still beats resistance. It doesn’t work that way in a never ending circle, we’ve tried that for decades. It has to be a real fight, a dignified fight rather than a baseless infantile gesture while trying to get a pat on the back for it. I don’t hate these guys or think they “deserve” whatever. But they do need to grow up, get a clue, put their butts away, show some respect for other life on this planet, fight an adult fight with the rest of us and stop trying to hog some sort of lime light for validity. Preaching done.
Ed
Whatever the punishment is for a Thai who would have done the same should be the same punishment they receive. When you travel to another country you are subject to their laws, you are no longer protected by our Constitution. If you break their laws you should be no different than anyone else who does so and should be subject to the same punishment. If people had more respect for differing views, differing religions, differing cultures, and different ways of life the world would be a much better place,.
Knight
Well said.
CanadianGuy62
Thank God those butts were blurred out…I don’t know if my poor old heart could have handled it!
Seriously…you can’t show a butt?! Holy Puritanical America, Batman!
David Myers
That was not America. Thai people are, in general, very friendly, very considerate, and generally friendly to gay and trans persons. They should have been treated the same way . . . with courtesy and respect for their culture and traditions. These men acted like the proverbial “ugly American”. You should not be encouraging others to be “ugly Canadians”!
Giuseppe
I’d be more embarrassed at what they were wearing.
joopThe Netherlands
One must be a complete idiot to do something like that in Thailand. I would say do it in Vatican City on the steps of the Pope’s holy city were most Catholic child molesters come from, but not there. And yes I agree from the editors remark that tourists from the USA have not a good reputation, wherever they go.
Also in The Netherlands, we rather so them go than come because of their loud mouth attitude.
gmanto
Gay people who live in gay-positive areas like Toronto have to understand that most of the world is not gay positive.
When visiting a foreign county it is basic logic and respect to know what is ok and not ok in that county. You are 100% subject to their law, standards, and norms.
For example, in Singapore, it is illegal to have and chew gum and also bring gum into that country.
These 2 guys, guests of Thailand, disrespected and violated Thai law. They were totally insensitive and deserve whatever they get.
…2 ignorant, dim white boys!
Knight
Joop maybe they should have done that to your royals, since your upper classes and royalty are guilty of forced pedophila https://nltimes.nl/2016/04/18/forced-child-prostitution-case-netherlands-elite-royalty-microscope
Or maybe they should do that in front of all your police departments and judges, since they allow the pedophile group Martjin to operate https://www.thedailybeast.com/dutch-court-says-pedophilia-advocacy-group-martijn-can-continue
Hmmm….looks like MOST men in the Netherlands are pedophiles…maybe that includes you? Statistically, it does.
stevetalbert
So they have a site where they post proof that they are 2 assholes everywhere they go,?? They should add a couple months in a thai prison to their photo collection for their souvenier box.
Rex Huskey
these professional homosexuals are so unattractive…
gayand gray
I guess they never heard of photo shopping . Take all the photos you want , then post your ass every where you want . No jail time. No fines. Just attacks from total strangers .
g-sing
i mean….isnt this what that guy gus kenworthy or whatever does?
Buie
How embarrassing, to be middle-aged and literally show your sagging asses to the world. I’m 24 yo and I haven’t done stupid shit like that since I was twelve. I’ve been at university in Europe for almost 4 years. I have seen too many fellow Americans who fit the stereotype of the “Ugly American”, but I don’t recall any incidents involving gay Americans.
Rich1103
there ass should be in jail for one hell of a long time, they are both just a couple of low life assholes with know brains.
PacoMDFACS
Lesson. To every action you have to accept the consequences. Thailand 1 USA 0