[Courtesy of Joseph and Travis DaSilva / Instagram ]
Two U.S. citizens, Joseph and Travis DaSilva, both 38, were detained after posting photos of them posing with their exposed buttocks at Wat Arun temple in Bankok, Thailand. The nation has very strict laws against exhibiting disrespectful and offensive behaviors to its national religion, Buddhism. The temple grounds are considered two of the most sacred grounds in Thailand and landmarks that are popular tourist attractions.
The couple from San Diego, California, posted the offensive photo on their Twitter and Instagram pages on November 24. They have a joint Instagram page called "Traveling Butts" and have been posting photos of their exposed butts at the travel destinations. The account has been deleted since the couple was detained.
Joseph and Travis DaSilva were arrested at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok on Tuesday. [Courtesy of Thai Immigration Police ]
When DaSilvas were detained at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok, they were fined $150 (5,000 baht) each for public nakedness. However, there are possibilities that Thai police may pursue more serious charge under a draconian computer crime law, an offense that includes jail time up to 5 years.
Colonel Jarupat Thongkomol from Thai police said in an interview, "We are now seeking court approval to prosecute them on Computer Crime Act for uploading pornographic pictures."
The couple's visas will be revoked and will be banned from entering Thailand once their charges are formalized. They were in Thailand celebrating their one-year anniversary.
DaSilvas contacted San Diego City Commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez and sought help, according to San Diego Gay and Lesbian News. Murray-Ramirez said, "Though I am very disappointed in their actions, I am talking to U.S. government officials to see what assistance we can give them."
After DaSilvas public stunts and arrest were shared many times on social media, many people tweeted how American tourists need to behave better when they are traveling abroad. This is not the first time that American tourists got in trouble for public indecency. Two American women were arrested in Cambodia for taking nude photos inside Angkor Wat temple. An American man and a woman were arrested in Korea after running through the public area naked.
Kwak, Min Jung = abiel@ajunews.com
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