Gay couple to be deported for baring bums in front of historic temple
From travelling_butts
A gay couple is to be deported from Thailand after exposing their naked buttocks in front of a sacred temple.
The two US citizens are currently being held in Thailand after they posted the revealing photo to Instagram.
Joseph Dasilva and Travis Dasilva, both 38, posed with their bare bums outside Bangkok’s famous Wat Arun temple.
Wat Arun temple in Bangkok
They were later arrested at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok after the post was spotted online.
The married couple were taking part in a travel trend known as the ‘belfie’, or bum selfie.
Immigration authorities have told the BBC the pair would be fined and deported.
The Buddhist country has strict rules on what is considered respectful and appropriate in accordance with their religion.
Deputy spokesman of the Thai immigration police, Col Choengron Rimpadee, told the BBC: “Once they are through with the charges, the Thai immigration police will revoke their visas and push for deportation.
“They will also be blacklisted from coming back to Thailand.”
They have been charged with getting naked in public which violates criminal law and could carry a fine of up to 5,000 baht (equivalent to £115 or $154).
However some government and police officials claim the crimes could come with more serious sanctions.
The San Diego Gay and Lesbian News quoted a San Diego city commissioner as saying the men had asked for help.
The two men had an Instagram account called traveling_butts which showcased similar selfies taken at tourists sites around the world.
(Photo by Chumsak Kanoknan/ Getty Images)
The commissioner, Nicole Murray-Ramirez, told the paper: “Though I am very disappointed in their actions, I am talking to US government officials to see what assistance we can give them.”
The Instagram account had more than 14,000 followers but on Wednesday it had been deleted.
While the country has strict rules on citizens and tourists, its own king has been known for his own exposing fashion choices.
Thailand’s King Bodindradebayavarangkun has been photographed posing in a crop top while shopping in Germany.
Thai authorities were so concerned by a revealing video of the king that they implored Facebook to remove the offending content.
The social network blocked users in Thailand from seeing the video at the request of the country’s government, which outlaws criticism of the monarchy.
You can watch the video here:
Facebook is geoblocking this video of Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn so users in Thailand can't see it pic.twitter.com/QAE2SNr2KY
— Andrew MacGregor Marshall (@zenjournalist) May 5, 2017
Thailand bans same-sex marriage and adoptions by samesex couples, but does have limited anti-discrimination laws.
As of 2015, it allows LGBT people to serve openly in the military.
PinkNews reported in April that Trans women in Thailand who are yet to receive gender reassignment surgery are reportedly being forced to to serve in the military.
