Beyond the pale: Thai men warned over penis whitening

THAILAND’S public health ministry issued a warning over a new and bizarre trend of penis whitening, which has been linked to the country’s association of paleness with success.

Skin whitening is popular across south-east Asia as darker skin is associated with outdoor labour and being poorer, with a wide range of bleaching products on the market.

In Thailand the trend unexpectedly extended to men who believe a paler penis and groin area looks more attractive.

But public health officials have urged people to rethink undergoing the procedure, which they warned could lead to scarring, inflammation and “nasty looking spots”.

“Penis laser whitening is not necessary, wastes money and may give more negative effects than positive ones,” Dr Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn, the deputy director-general of Thailand’s Health Service Support Department, said in a statement.

The warning was issued after video footage of a clinic carrying out the unusual procedure went viral online.

Internet users were shocked and amused in equal measure by the video, which had been shared more than 19,000 times.

A spokesman for the clinic told the BBC that the procedure, which breaks down melanin in the skin using lasers, costs around $480 (£350) for five sessions. “Patients started to ask about penis whitening, and so we started the treatment a month later,” said Popol Tansakul, the marketing manager of Lelux Hospital. “They are popular among gay men and transvestites who take good care of their private parts. They want to look good in all areas.”

Around 100 men visit Lelux Hospital each month for the process, Mr Popol added.

“I wanted to feel more confident in my swimming briefs,” one patient who had his penis whitened told the BBC’S Thai service.