A symbol of beauty is the whiteness’.
A sunbathed skin is not appreciated by Thai people because it is the symbol of the peasant , the poor person often working in the fields or on the streets. If one has a dark skin it means that he/she is working outside. Thais believe the paler you are , the higher you are is status. It is strange but true, as Westerners we look for sun to get a sunbathed skin, where as Thai people try to escape from it. It is quite common to see a Thai person with an umbrella when the sun is shining. Indeed, I have witness motorcyclists holding an umbrella in one hand whilst steering with other.