Half-naked Thai female tourist in Arugam Bay gets suspended jail term

• The court imposed a sentence of two weeks’ imprisonment for indecent behaviour and one month for causing public disturbance, both suspended for five years

A 26-year-old Thai national has been handed a five-year suspended prison sentence by the Pottuvil Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to charges of indecent behaviour and causing a public disturbance in Arugam Bay.

The woman was arrested following the circulation of a photo on social media, which showed her walking topless near the entrance of a hotel in the popular tourist area.   She was produced before court yesterday (15), where she admitted to the charges.

The court imposed a sentence of two weeks’ imprisonment for indecent behaviour and one month for causing public disturbance, both suspended for five years.   

According to police, the incident stemmed from a personal dispute with her partner.