While beauty remains subjective, certain beauty standards among Tailands continue to evolve. Not only is it influenced by modern trends, but it is also influenced by Thailand’s traditional values and cultural factors.
Thailand’s Beauty Standards
The beauty standard itself is an ideal perception that is considered attractive, shaped by society. Here is the beauty standard that is accepted among Thai women.
A beauty standard itself is an idealized perception that is considered attractive, shaped by collective societal beliefs. In Thailand, these standards influence the way many women perceive themselves and how they pursue these appearance-related goals in order to be accepted in their society.
White Skin
White skin has long been considered a major beauty standard in Asian countries, including Thailand. White or fair skin is often associated with higher social class. This ideal is historically linked to how colonials looked when they colonized its neighboring countries in the past. At that time, the colonials often had pale skin and more power, which led to the idea that white skin is associated with having power and privilege.
To achieve this look, skin-whitening soaps, creams, lotions, and treatments are widely marketed and consumed. Advertisements featuring pale-skinned models are very common in Thailand, promoting the notion that lighter skin is more beautiful.
Slim figure
Another prominent Thailand’s beauty standard is having a slim, sometimes extremely thin, and petite body. Because of that, Thai women often aspire to maintain a small waist and long legs. These ideal types of beauty are heavily influenced by global fashion trends and celebrities, especially from Korean and Japanese pop.
As a result, fitness culture, like exercising in the gym and practicing yoga, is growing in Thailand. These steps are not only for the sake of their health, but to maintain this ideal figure.
Oval face feature
Thailand’s beauty standards also favor an oval face with soft, delicate features, such as low cheekbones, weak jawline, narrow nose, and full lips. Large and expressive eyes are also often emphasized through their makeup techniques to enhance their beauty.
To achieve these ideal facial traits, many clinics offer treatments such as nose lifts, double eyelid surgery, and jawline contouring. As a result, Thailand's aesthetic surgery is considered one of the best options in Asia.
Long and straight hair
Hair is another key component of beauty in Thailand. Long and straight hair is often associated with attractiveness. Many Thai women invest in hair care routines, salon treatments, and hair styling tools to maintain this ideal look.
Thai women who do not have naturally straight hair, hair extensions are also a popular and instant alternative.
Affect on Thai Society
Thailand’s rigid beauty standard places enormous pressure on women, especially young girls, to meet this standard. Sometimes, people around them, even family and close friends, also encourage them to fulfill this beauty expectation, while bringing bad effects to their physical and mental well-being.
As an example, the pressure to be slim has led some individuals to use slimming pills or follow extreme diets, which can lead to long-term health risks. Another example is their obsession with white skin, which led them to the use of dangerous methods, like turning to unregulated whitening products with harmful mercury and even undergoing self-injections.
Thailand's beauty standards affect most Thai women's self-esteem as everyone wants to be accepted socially. However, self-love and body positivity awareness still continue to grow among Thai women, so they can love themselves as the way they are.
