Siriporn Boonwong
Chinese Duo Allegedly Claim Unawareness of Legality in Thailand
PATTAYA – A Chinese couple caught filming themselves having sex on a sidewalk in this tourist town claimed they had done so in other countries and were unaware it was illegal in Thailand, according to police.
Police responded to the scene in South Pattaya on Wednesday after a security guard alerted them to a foreign man and woman engaging in sex on the footpath near the entrance to Walking Street.
A nearby CCTV camera recorded footage of the man setting up a camera on a tripod before removing his shirt and trousers, while the woman was wearing only a shirt. The pair performed in full view of passing pedestrians and vehicles.
The guard took photographs of the incident as evidence and notified the police, who also reviewed the security camera footage.
Officers tracked the couple to a hotel and brought them to Pattaya City police station for questioning. The Chinese nationals were identified as Oh Zhihang, 67, and Lin Tingting, 37.
The couple has been charged with committing an indecent act in public under Section 388 of the Criminal Code.
The Chinese man told police through an interpreter that he was a photographer who enjoyed taking nude photoshoots. He explained that he had taken many such photos in various locations around the world for his personal collection.
He insisted he was unaware that his actions violated any Thai laws. Police said the couple expressed regret and apologized to the Thai public and authorities for their actions, which they acknowledged had tarnished the image of Pattaya tourism.
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