Chotiros Suriyawong and the Dress

Last updated: 2007-03-09

Chotiros Suriyawong shot to Internet fame overnight in February 2007. Previously an almost unheard of Thai actress, she decided to appear at Thailand's version of the Oscars in a very revealing black dress, probably in an attempt to raise her public profile but if that was the case, it certainly backfired on her in a big way.

Thailand is a very conservative society and with a military junta in place at the time on a morality crusade, the criticism of her actions and the dress she wore was widespread in the country. If she wanted fame, she certainly achieved it but not for the reasons she'd hoped for.

Also known as Chotiros "Amy" Suriyawong, she was dropped from her latest movie role in Thailand and all footage of her was ordered to be deleted, such was the public backlash in Thailand over the dress. Furthermore, she had to face officials from Thammasat University where she was a student, who accused her of bringing disrepute upon the University. Officials from the establishment ordered her to perform 15 days of community service for blind children and a tearful Suriyawong stated that she was sorry for what had happened.

Even the Thai Ministry of Culture commented that her dress was "very inappropriate", adding to Suraphol Nitikraipot's statement (professor of law at Thammasat University) that "society feels this is a disgrace".

Many foreigners struggle to comprehend what the fuss was all about, failing to understand Thailand's views on morality and public decorum. The dress has been compared to a revealing dress worn by Elizabeth Hurley, who pulled off the appearance with much more success.

However, Suriyawong also has her supporters, who object to the military junta's morality drive. That said, it should be noted that in a poll, nearly all respondents in that poll said they thought the dress was inappropriate.

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