[WertyNtont]

No offense. But I think Sri Lankans swim (or at least try to) with their clothes on too. Both men and women. I seen them.

No offence at all. But what you may have seen is not the norm. Yes. Women wear bikini only at restricted swimming pools.

BTW, We used to take in younger days what we called oxford bath.

[steevyjeors]

Many Thai people that you may see in the water with their clothes on are 1. shy 2. poor 3. do not want to make their skin darker.Most Thais that do not go to the beach often do not have a swim suit,so it is normal for them to wear a shirt and shorts in the water.

[VipInoLo]

Well I always swim in Australia with my clothes on, basically I don't like getting sun burnt. Thai's don't want dark skin so they cover up.

[andrekuper]

In Ancient India everything happened , from no clothes - to all clothes. LOLz Depends which region and period of India we are talking off.

[Butiqueso]

No offense. But I think Sri Lankans swim (or at least try to) with their clothes on too. Both men and women. I seen them.

[UnmariKam]

(what's the correct English name for this attire? it's not really a wetsuit.)

The T shirts are called "rashies" in Australian English. (Short for "rash guard") Their original use was to protect against getting a rash while riding a surf board. Now they are used mostly for sun protection. They are comfortable while in the water but hot and clammy while sitting on the beach.

The knee length shorts are called "boardies" and were also originally for board riding but now serve the purpose of providing sun protection and proving one is the polar opposite in sensibilities to those guys who wear "budgie smugglers".

BTW: Nearly every word in Australian English ends with an "ie", "y" or "o".

Susana, it sounds like you had a great childhood. Was it in the Blue Ridge Mtns?

BTW: A lot of Farang like to prove how liberated they are by displaying their privates in public but I think a better thing for them to do when visiting Asian countries would be to prove how culturally sensitive they are by covering up a bit.

[Qeiafib]

Hello all, I was looking at Stephen Cleary's old blogs, in particular the 'Do's and Don'ts To Truly Unseen Thailand (http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php/c62/?blog=8).

In particular I found it interesting the part about Thai tourist beaches where the locals swim with their clothes on. I find this interesting because I like the concept! Let's just say that I am a bit aesthetically challenged, and my man boobs and gut aren't exactly something I'm proud of showcasing to the world. So next time I visit Thailand beaches, I'll be glad that I won't be 'strange' swimming with my top on, I'm conforming to local customs! I'm thinking though of getting a shirt that's a bit more 'water friendly,' maybe one of those under armour loose shirts.

[Unakjyfk]

Well I always swim in Australia with my clothes on, basically I don't like getting sun burnt. Thai's don't want dark skin so they cover up.

Same, my whole family wear billabong tops when we go swimming at Australian beaches, slip, slop slap. My first thought when I read this thread was that Thai's would cover not to get darker.

[gydrorway]

In ancient India, you bathed with clothes on so you would not offend the river spirits or gods. Krishna stole the gopis clothes and chided them because they were swimming naked in the river.

[portoskins]

In some areas with a moslem population bathing clothed could be for religious reasons as in other moslem countries.

[WertyNtont]

Many Thai people that you may see in the water with their clothes on are 1. shy ....

Shy? To exhibit their bloated mammary glands?

[fissasste]

Thank you so much for the post. It's really useful.

[fameintatenly]

Billk, I spent the best part of my childhood here. There is a long history of people leaving the mountains to work, then returning home as often as possible. My parents fit into that group.
I lived in the country until I was a teenager, and I still think it is the best way.

Mr A, I am surprised at you!!! My mother was so very strict that I always thought she knew my every move, even when I was out of sight.
Consequently, I have been a rather laid back mother. At least I think so!

[BuyCheapest]

Susana - many Thai girls have a swimming costume with a little skirt - that sounds like a step in that direction.
I think many would actually buy the kind of swimsuit that looks like a t-shirt or long sleeve shirt, plus shorts, but they are so terribly expensive. old t-shirt and shorts are cheaper and just easier, even though they take longer to dry and the fabric is wasted. but if you go to a Thai beach resort, you actually see middle-class Thais wearing "proper" swimwear like that. (what's the correct English name for this attire? it's not really a wetsuit.)

[karaburatoreror]

A lot of swimming pools actually post notices that say you have to wear bathing suits to swim there. Meaning no clothes. Though I guess it depends a lot on what kind of patrons they have as to how easy it is to enforce this rule.

[Butiqueso]

Many Thai people that you may see in the water with their clothes on are 1. shy 2. poor 3. do not want to make their skin darker.Most Thais that do not go to the beach often do not have a swim suit,so it is normal for them to wear a shirt and shorts in the water.

Fortunetly, more and more Thai youngsters are starting to wear swimsuits. Bikinis are actually quite popular. If you ask Thai women (the younger and modern ones), most of them actually own 1 or 2 pcs. But they don't wear it in the public. Kinda like they buy it, and then keep it in their closet and once a while take it out and try them on and parade themselves in front of the mirror kinda thing. They'll tell you that "one day" they'll wear them but probably in overseas or some places where 90% of the women are wearing. The swiming pool I go to usually have women in 2 piece swim suits. Most of them flight attendants or young students.

[fameintatenly]

I'm wondering about something . . .

Women in the western world used to swim with their clothes on, then a 'swimming costurme' was introduced which was fashionable, fuctional, and tuned to the mores of the time. Still, it was considered shocking to some.

Maybe if a Thai designer were to come up with fashionable swim attire which also suits the Thai sense of modesty, it would take off in a big way.

Just a thought ~ fashion is important, after all!

[Unakjyfk]

Betti, the Australian surf companys like Billabong and Rip Curl (which are popular in Thailand) sell them, and yes they are expensive. They call them 'Wetshirts". I wear a Billabong wetshirt when i go boggie boarding on the Australian coast.

[pprropeciaaa]

I'm not sure what that is called. The little skirt thing does sound like the beginnings of a swim outfit, and I know many westerners who would like that, also.

The last time I went to the beach in Thailand, it was 'a girls weekend away', sponsored by my sister-in-law. I didn't get in the water, but the ones who did wore shorts and tees, also. We stayed at a private resort where there was a European woman who sunbathed topless at the pool. The girls got all giggly over her, and I was embarassed.

Growing up, we went to the creek and wore cut offs and tees. An expensive swimsuit wasn't necessary and the costume was 'mother approved' for modesty.

Reminds me of my childhood too - but many things we did I wouldn.t want to admit to my kids and grand kids

[MackBranon]

yea, if you dont put on your clothes when swimming or taking a public bath... you'd probably be an alien for thai ppl...LOL


(i mean they will keep watching you and avoiding your eyes ! goshhhh)