Video of row on Skytrain spurs debate

It is another discussion on Thai culture, personal rights, privacy and what is acceptable in public. 

At the end of the clip, a transexual lady seated nearby helped the woman chase the tomboy and her girlfriend off the train, before the tomboy gestured that she might attack the woman. 

On Twitter, @Topazine wrote: “Hey, wait! Blaming someone [for doing this] in public, although the person did something that is against the decent culture, should not be called [the conduct of] a good person.”

@pelmosiq said: “So, kissing in public is lewd?” 

@fordAntiTrust wrote: “I think the BTS should issue an official announcement – no whispering sweet nothings [on trains] – then announce over speakers on the train that this is a moral compartment. Please don’t whisper sweet nothings.”

@greentea_pt wrote: “Do we have to announce in schools, temples, hospitals and other places [that this type of behaviour is unacceptable]? Or should it be a manner taught at home?”

@b_sunisa said: “In Thai culture, kissing and hugging in public is not suitable, but it’s not illegal. But if you want to bill and coo, why not do it in a private place. Shameless!” 

Pheung Natha wrote: “It’s not surprising that it would become problematic. Thai society has entered a post-modern [period]. We are in the time of questioning the norms we used to take.”

On her Facebook page, the Diary of Toot shared information from two people she claimed were the tomboy’s girlfriend and the transsexual, with the duo telling different stories. “Please read this carefully. I’m not saying any of them lied but it’s important that we listen to both of the disputed parties because we did not witness the incident and we don’t know what happened before that,” Toot wrote.

Toot also said: “Please don’t talk about sexual preference. It doesn’t matter if you are lesbian, gay or straight. Flirting in public is not cool.” 

Wilairat Aimaiem wrote on Facebook: “Someone asked what I think about the tomboy being verbally attacked on the BTS. I’d like to say, what are you asking me for? 

“I wasn’t there. But if I have to consider [what happened] from the video clip, I can say briefly that one person lacked conscience, the other had too much morality and then judged all the people … All I know is people cry out to the world, want the world to listen. But they never listen to anyone.” 

Writer Tomorn Sookprecha wrote: “I don’t feel anything about [the incident], but I think this is a case of lacking toleration. 

“I’m not saying either of the [parties] lacked something but they both did. It was lacking two-way toleration. Thai society does not practice much on this. 

Legal and IT experts expressed different opinions on whether the sharing of the clip was lawful. In the video, faces of the woman, the tomboy and transexual are not shown.