Uproar in Thailand as two men walk around Phuket Airport in Budgy Smuggler swimmers: ‘100 per cent chance they’re Australian’

A photo of two tourists wearing swimming bottoms in Thailand has outraged locals who urged visitors to respect their local culture.

The picture of two men in leopard print Budgy Smuggler-branded swimmers at Phuket Airport went viral on Thai social media this week.

‘If you want mass tourism, not everyone will toe the cultural line unfortunately,’ one disapproving commenter said. 

Although the men’s nationality is not known, they were wearing the popular  Australian ‘Budgy Smugglers’ brand 

‘Quite simple really, if you can’t respect the country’s culture, tradition and laws – don’t visit,’ a second person wrote.

‘I don’t know a country in the world where this would be acceptable,’ another said.

‘I’d have a hard time believing that this is the normal culture anywhere,’ wrote a fourth.

Some locals didn’t have an issue with the men’s attire, saying tourists add to the Thai economy.

‘Welcome to Thailand! Do everything if you want! Just don’t make other people have problems. You come to relax we know, this is our country’s business,’ one wrote. 

There was also confusion if the men had just arrived in the country ready to hit the beach or if they were preparing to check-in to their flights.

‘Pants are required at the airport,’ one wrote.

‘Some people like to get the very last minute of sun shine. Lol,’ another added.

‘They are excited and ready to swim,’ one said.

Thailand has a rich cultural heritage which locals argued needs to be respected

Although the men’s nationality is not known, some guessed there was a ‘100 per cent’ chance they were Australian.

The south-east Asian tourist destination of Bali separately announced a crackdown on misbehaving tourists recently.

Balinese authorities assembled a taskforce in late 2023 to ensure tourists behave.

Travellers are also issued a card of ‘do’s’ and ‘dont’s’ when they arrive at Denpasar airport to make tourists aware of local laws and traditions. 

Indonesia kicked over 200 international tourists out of Bali last year, including at least a dozen Australians.