French artist cries foul over censorship of nude mural near Patpong

A French artist has cried foul over what she described as “hypocrisy” after her mural depicting a nude man reclining on one side — with his back and bottom visible — was censored by the hotel on whose wall it was painted.

Myrtille Tibayrenc wrote on her Facebook page on Monday that her mural, painted on a hotel wall near Soi Patpong, had been covered with dark paint, leaving only a floral pattern of twisting green vines and vibrant flowers visible.

Tibayrenc had been invited by the French Embassy in Bangkok to take part in the Krung Thep Creative Streets project, where she painted a striking mural featuring a central human figure surrounded by botanical and avian elements.

The figure — solitary, androgynous, and youthful — reclines across the lower section of the mural, nude and resting its head on one arm while facing slightly towards the viewer.

In her post, Tibayrenc said the mural had been censored without her consent.

“My painting has been completely censored without my permission! It is ironic that this painting is just a few metres from Patpong, the red-light district where hundreds of girls are half-naked... what hypocrisy,” she wrote.

District office denies involvement

Shortly after her post, the Bang Rak District Office issued a statement on Facebook clarifying that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had nothing to do with the censorship.

The district office said it had checked with the hotel and was told that the hotel wanted to “correct” the mural, adding that the artist had been informed in advance.

It added that after the mural “was completely corrected”, the hotel management would contact the artist directly to explain.

However, the district office later removed its post after many Thai social-media users pointed out that Tibayrenc had clearly said she was not informed beforehand. No further clarification has since been issued by the BMA.

About the artist

Myrtille Tibayrenc is a French artist, curator, and art-centre director based primarily in Thailand. Known for her figurative and provocative style, her work is inspired by Renaissance techniques and often explores human form and emotion.

She frequently exhibits in both established galleries and unconventional public spaces across Thailand, where she is also known by her nickname “Mimi.”