Thai influencer slammed for wearing Arabic attire to promote grilled pork
A Thai influencer has come under fire after donning traditional Arabic attire to promote grilled pork — a move netizens called tone-deaf and disrespectful to the Muslim community.
48-year-old Charoensak Phosichai, known online as Uncle Tony, posted the TikTok video promoting his restaurant in Phetchabun Province, Thailand, on 15 April.
In the now-deleted clip, Uncle Tony is seen wearing a thobe — a long white robe traditionally worn by Muslim men in Arab countries — despite not being Muslim himself.
According to The Thaiger, while the thobe is common daily wear in some Arab nations, it is usually reserved for prayers or religious occasions in other parts of the world. Critics slammed the video as being culturally insensitive.
Influencer was promoting grilled pork at his restaurant
While wearing the thobe might not have resulted in such backlash, it was the fact that Tony was promoting grilled pork, which is forbidden in Islam, that stirred controversy.
Source: Thairath News – ข่าวไทยรัฐ on YouTube
While holding the grilled meat, he greeted the audience with a happy Thai New Year, adding, “Anyone interested in trying grilled pork can visit us at Uncle Tony’s Kitchen”.
He then serves the dish to a customer, still dressed in the thobe, and urges his followers to visit the restaurant another time before the video ends.
Source: Thairath News – ข่าวไทยรัฐ on YouTube
Influencer draws criticism for inappropriate action
Muslim and non-Muslim netizens alike condemned Tony in the comments, demanding he remove the video.
“Uncle, you shouldn’t wear these clothes to promote pork,” one commenter reportedly wrote. “You know it’s not appropriate. Don’t think only about the views.”
“I used to be your fan, but I’m going to unfollow you now,” another expressed.
Source: ครัวลุงโทนี่ on Facebook
Tony later deleted the video and posted an apology, saying:
I would like to apologise to all Muslims for wearing the clothing while promoting grilled pork. I had no intention to insult anyone or your religion.
He has since removed the video, adding that he has friends in the Islamic community and apologising for what he’s done.
The Thai influencer also explained that he had purchased his controversial attire in Dubai, where he had previously worn it during a photoshoot in the desert.
He chose to wear them again for fun during the Songkran Festival.
Despite his apology video, however, the Provincial Islamic Committee of Phetchabun released a statement saying it is gathering evidence to press charges against Tony, planning to “take legal action to the fullest extent of the law”.
Also read: Muslim woman in M’sia orders chicken rice, gets delivered roasted pork instead
Muslim woman in M’sia orders chicken rice, gets delivered roasted pork instead
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Featured image adapted from Thairath News – ข่าวไทยรัฐ on YouTube.
