Allegations of sexual harassment have quickly surfaced on social media amidst the That Luang Competition, an annual Buddhist celebration held every November. Guests shared a number of accounts of inappropriate bodily contact whereas attending one of many competition’s points of interest—the haunted home.
The stories have sparked widespread concern and discussions among the many neighborhood, casting a shadow over the in any other case celebratory occasion.
In a viral TikTok video, one lady recounted how she and her buddies have been groped within the pitch-black inside. In response to her, the ticket vendor escorted them into the attraction, explicitly forbidding utilizing flashlights. Although unable to seize visible proof, she recorded audio that included a heated confrontation with employees members dressed as ghosts, who allegedly assaulted her group.
The video has sparked outrage on-line, with many urging festival-goers to keep away from the haunted home altogether.
“You need to report this to the authorities utilizing this proof,” one TikTok consumer commented.
“The haunted home is filled with males who simply need to contact ladies. My buddies and I had an identical expertise,” stated one other consumer.
Such misconduct seems to be a recurring difficulty as a lady named Namtarn, now 24 years outdated, shared her personal account of harassment on the similar attraction 4 years in the past.
“At first, they touched my ankle, adopted by a scream to scare me,” she recalled. “Then they escalated to hugging my waist and shoulders. I needed to struggle them off earlier than lastly exiting the home.”
In response to Namtarn, the ordeal lasted about two minutes, and the employees seemed to be largely youngsters aged 14 to twenty.
“Once I got here out, they have been laughing at me. I’ve by no means gone again to that haunted home since,” she stated.
Namtarn has referred to as on authorities to implement stricter measures for organizing such points of interest and to analyze how they function to forestall additional incidents.
“I’m sure many different ladies have endured comparable experiences.”
The 24-year-old’s statements have been echoed by different ladies on social media who underwent the harrowing expertise.
“One of many employees managed to kiss me, and I needed to sprint to the exit to throw up,” one consumer stated.
“They grabbed my chest so roughly that it left me in ache. I’ll make certain to keep away from locations like that sooner or later,” one other consumer added.
Regardless of the rising uproar on social media, no official complaints or actions have been reported thus far. As these allegations acquire traction, questions on security and accountability at high-profile occasions just like the That Luang Competition stay unanswered.