Two Songkran gropers on Khao San Road were rounded up by police last week and made to stand on a table in the middle of the waterfight mayhem with a sign around their neck that said “I love touching ladies breasts.”
On April 13, Pol. Lt. Gen. Winai Thongsonog, the chief commander of Metropolitan Police Bureau, explained that police from Chanasongkram station had arrested the men after a lady called out for help after having her breasts fondled, SpringNewsTV reported.
Photos of the shamed men later went viral on Facebook and other websites.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Winai said that some may think that the public shaming defamed and violated the human rights of the men, but that police believed that the action was a good way make to people think before they grope and prevent groping from happening.
SpringNewsTV reported that the Isaan Center for Business and Economic Research did a poll where 60% of female respondents said they were groped during Songkran. But when the men were asked about groping, many said it was normal for men to want to touch women’s bodies when they are dressed in sexy and wet Songkran attire, often short shorts and tank tops.
SpringNewsTV interviewed several people about the public shaming of the gropers:
Man 1: There are a few times that I did it. It is the man’s instinct, ha ha. But I did not across the line. Just a perfunctory action. OK, thank you.
Lady 1: I am happy about this action from the police. It is a way to shame the perpetrators who did these bad things. So, we will keep ourselves away from them. It shows that these men misbehaved. They shamed our country. I want the police to always take this procedure and often do this, too. The police should do this as often as possible.
Lady 2: Well, actually it is good to take this action sometimes because these incidents happen every year. I sometimes feel pity for the ladies who are the victims of the perverts. Often the ladies don;t say anything or do anything against the molestation. I think the molestation does not set a good example for anyone. I think this punishment may help to reduce the molestation. I think it is O.K. to do this.
Lady 3: Just shame them, those who molest the lady and who dress inappropriate. Just shame them in front of everybody for their misbehavior to be known. I want other police stations use this procedure, too.
