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Naturism in Thailand

History

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In 1931 Thai native Mr. Sarin Foothai registered the first naturist club. Foothai published several books about the benefits physical activity and being inthe sunshine while nude. The club had month men and women of all ages. After a military coup in 1932, Foothai was forced to close the club. ¹

The Naturist Association of Thailand was formed in 2007 by Mr. Gregers Moller and Disraporn Yatprom. NAT promotes classical non-sexual naturism in the legacy of Sarin Foothai and in line with Thai laws. ²

“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.” ³

Timeline

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1931 Sarin Foothai registers sunbathing club.
2007 Naturist Association Thailand Co., Ltd. is founded.
2009 Bruce Kendall moves the association forward.
2011 Chan Resort becomes first Naturist Friendly resort in Thailand.
2012 The Oriental Village Chiang Mai comes on board.
2015 Barefeet Naturist Resort, Bangkok’s first nudist resort.
2016 Lemon Tree Resort, first naturist resort on Phuket
2017 Phuan Naturist Village, Pattaya’s second nudist resort.
2017 Naturist Family Camp, “NF Camp” opens first nudist camp on the sea shore
2018 Peace Blue Naturist Resort Phuket
2019 Lemon Tree Naturist Resort Phuket
2019 Oriental Beach Village Phuket in PhangNga
2019 Harmony Naturist Resort Phuket
2021 Oasis Naturist Villa, Phuket ⁴

Naturism in modern Thailand

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Siamese woman in traditional costume, 1900 — Siamese woman in traditional costume, 1900
Author unknown – Public domain

Despite a cultural history of toplessness among women, modern naturism is not a feature of modern Thai culture. When Europeans arrived in Thailand in the mid 19th century the cultural practice of bare-chestedness among Thai women was diminished. ⁵ Those European sensibilities remain today as the Thai cultural ministry considers topless women and other forms of public nudist to diminish Thai culture. This even though historical photographs of topless women exit on government websites and Thai women risk scandal going bare chested at traditional Thai festivals like Songkran. ⁶

Thai Criminal Code says public nudity is illegal:

”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).
Filled under “Petty Offenses,” the code 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 Thai Penal Code uses public 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. Moeller is a leader in the naturist tourism industry in Thailand. ⁷

Most naturists in Thailand practice the naturist way of life in private spaces. The Naturist Association of Thailand does not promote public nudity ⁸

Thai Natourism

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In recent years naturism in Thailand has grown. The Thailand Naturist Association is reported to have over 3,000 members. As a popular natourism destination for Europeans and Thai, naturist resorts have thrived. With nine resorts currently Thailand is a real naturist travel destination.⁹

People and organizations

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Gregers Moeller, a 59-year-old naturist from Denmark, who has been in Thailand for over 20 years is at the forefront of the growth in the naturist movement in Thailand. He is the current leader of the Naturist Association of Thailand which sponsors naturist events and an annual conference. ¹⁰ Moeller is a leader in the naturist tourism industry in Thailand ¹¹

Naturist places in Thailand

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Thailand has naturist resort style accommodations where you can relax there in a family friendly naturist environment. Use the map as a starting point to discover options. There are a few unofficial but naturist friendly private beaches in addition to the resorts in Thailand though as noted that public nudity is illegal.

[drts-directory-view directory=”naturist_pla” name=”region_thailand”]

Naturist Beaches

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[drts-directory-view directory=”naturist_pla” name=”thailand_beach_grid_”]

References

Last updated on March 16, 2020

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