An internet video clip of two young women in short red frocks performing sexy gyrations to music in a historical temple has drawn the wrath of netizens and the authorities.
Ayutthaya assistant governor Rawat Prasong said the two women shown in the clip were believed to be Thai nationals, and they were dancing inside Wat Chaiwatthanaram, part of an Unesco World Cultural Heritage site.
The historical temple is a world-class tourist attraction, he said.
The actions of the two women, both the way they dressed and danced, were improper. The dissemination of their dance routine online had cast the ancient temple in a negative light. He had given orders that the girls be found and face legal action.
The 5-minute video uploaded to YouTube by username VKIZZ on Aug 5 sparked heavy criticism online. The clip shows two young women in sexy red frocks dancing sensuously to pop music.
Pratheep Phengtako, director of the Fine Arts Office Region 3 in Ayutthaya, said a complaint would be laid against the two women and their accomplice who video-recorded the dance.
Their inappropriate clothing and "sensuous dance" violated the Ancient Monuments, Antiques and National Museums Acts, he said.
He said police will be asked to press other charges against them for disseminating a video over the internet that caused damage to the ancient site and the country.
Pranee Thareejian, 61, a souvenir vendor at Wat Chaiwatthanaram, said on Friday that she saw the two women and a man enter the temple on a June evening like other visitors.
The man was carrying a camera and took many photos of the women making sexy gestures. They walked inside the compound and stopped near the wall of the temple, where the women danced, with the man recording the show, the vendor said.
Pratheep Phengtako, director of the Fine Arts Office Region 3 in Ayutthaya, right, and an official inspect Wat Chaiwattharam in Ayutthaya on Friday. (Photo by Sunthorn Pongpao)