Two Korean Men Involved in Indecent Acts at Water Festival... Bringing Shame to the Country and Leaving Thailand

Local Media Report... Police Tracked but Left Thailand
Sexual Activity Inside Street Tent Spreads on SNS

Amid controversy over a video circulating online showing two men engaging in sexual acts on the street during Thailand's Songkran festival, it has been confirmed that both men are Korean. On the 17th (local time), local media The Tiger reported, "The individuals who engaged in sexual acts on the street in the Ratchada area of Bangkok, Thailand, have been identified as young Korean men."

On the 13th (local time), the Songkran Festival was held in Bangkok, Thailand. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

At the time, the Songkran festival, known as Thailand's New Year and the "largest water festival on earth," was taking place. Thais, who consider the sun's movement into Aries?the first sign of the zodiac?as the start of the new year, sprinkle purified water on Buddha statues or hands to wash away bad luck and make wishes during this period. In various areas such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai, events involve splashing water on each other and applying mud.

The men were reported to have engaged in lewd acts inside a yellow tent set up on Ratchada Soi 4 road. The video capturing the incident shows the men performing sexual acts without any regard for passersby. They only stopped after being confronted by a security guard who witnessed the scene.

[Image source=Capture from X (Twitter)]

The video spread through social media, sparking criticism. Local netizens reacted with comments such as "They damaged Thailand's image," "Are they oppressed in their own country and come here to do this?" and "Are they crazy to do this in public?"

Under Article 388 of the Thai Penal Code, exposing one's body and committing obscene acts in public can result in a fine of up to 5,000 baht (approximately 190,000 KRW). However, local police stated, "We received reports about the incident, but no one came forward to file a complaint."

The police quickly tracked the two men to prosecute them, but it is reported that both have already left Thailand. Korean netizens have expressed anger, saying, "They should be banned from entering," "This is a national disgrace," and "They should be caught and sent back to Thailand."

During the Songkran festival, one of Thailand's representative celebrations, large crowds gather in major cities, and the heightened excitement often leads to various incidents and accidents. According to the Bangkok Post on the 16th, from April 11 to 15 during the Songkran festival, 206 people died and 1,593 were injured. The Bangkok Post reported, "Motorcycle accidents accounted for 83.8% of all casualties during this year's Songkran period," citing speeding (43.2%) and drunk driving (23.9%) as the main causes.

Additionally, a survey conducted last year by a Thai civil society organization found that 6 out of 10 male and female respondents experienced sexual harassment during the Songkran festival period.