Hi Guys
Does anybody know why Thai people attempt to whiten their skin almost to the point of looking like a complete ghost? I think Thai people possess a graceful and noble nature but this issue was brought to light by a sweet Thai girl I met who suffered constant harassment at school wholly and directly because she appeared a little bit too dark for the others who saw this as ugly and uncool. In Africa, a song was made by a musician called Fela Kuti to tackle this self-hating problem. It was simply entitled 'Yellow Fever.'
historical content:
......When it became fashionable for women to cover their upper bodies, different kinds of blouses began to be worn. It is thought that the custom of wearing blouses began at the end of the reign of King Rama V (1900) due to the influence of western fashion.
......and now from this point, they have taken it further by bleaching their skin...
Thoughts on this, please.i
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion highlights the widespread cultural preference among Thai people for lighter skin, often perceived as a status symbol linked to wealth and beauty. This phenomenon is attributed to historical influences where darker skin was associated with manual labor and lower social class. The conversation reveals that this issue is not unique to Thailand but is prevalent in various Asian cultures, influenced by media portrayals and the global beauty industry, leading individuals to feel pressured to conform to these standards.