Pattaya-
A transgender Thai dancer is facing charges for being a public nuisance at Pattaya Walking Street after a video went viral on social media yesterday.
A Thai woman who posted the video on Twitter concluded that “Be careful when you are filming on Walking Street.”
“This dancer went straight to me angrily when they saw me holding up the mobile phone.” The woman, whose full name was withheld for fears of retaliation, said online.
“I was scared so I said sorry and stopped recording the video.” She concluded.
In the brief video, which can be found below, the woman briefly films the dancer, who is dressed in traditional Thai dress and performs classical style dances from the North of Thailand. The dancer notices the filming and angrily approaches the woman, chastising her and demanding money for filming. The woman apologizes and stops filming.
https://www.facebook.com/800812306630359/posts/2955720294472872/
Comments on social media claimed they had also had altercations with the same dancer for filming on a public street. It is not against the law to film on a public street in Thailand, the Pattaya News notes. The issue also led into a discussion on YouTubers who film in public and some of who have had altercations over their filming. None of the filming is against the law if done in a public place and people cannot demand money if they are filmed, Thai Police confirmed.
However, Police added, filming with the intention of making a profit, such as foreign YouTubers, needs a work permit under Thai law and is considered employment in Thailand.
Lieutenant Colonel Somboon Ueasaman of the Pattaya Tourist Police tracked down the dancer to their normal spot on Walking Street around 11:00 PM last evening, February 3, 2020 where they found 33 year old Mr. Nattakorn Rungroj.
Mr. Nattakorn told police that the woman was laughing and making fun of the show and that the issue wasn’t filming but the behavior. He told her that he was dancing to earn a living and not for free. He has been performing for several years on Walking Street, he added.
However, he apologized for his behavior and for offending people. Police have charged him with being a public nuisance. It is unclear if he was asked to stop the street performance or not.
