Nude Photos Spark Furore

[sriracha john]

nud_e photos spark furore

Culture minister, others assail plan to assist Aids hospice by auctioning prints of famous people posing in the buff

The abbot of a Lop Buri temple that serves as an Aids hospice said yesterday he would refuse any proceeds from a controversial auction of nud_e celebrity photos planned by an entertainment magazine.

Abbot Prah Alongkut made a brief statement, saying he was informed only that morning that Fame magazine wanted to raise funds to support the temple's work by taking bids for centrefold photos of some leading actresses and that he was disturbed by the damaging publicity that the charity project had generated.

However, it was not certain what kind of further controversy the abbot's rejection would create, as it is against Buddhist principles to turn down donations.

Penpak Sirikul, one of the models, insisted that her intentions were well-meant. "I don't have any hidden agenda."

"People are born naked," she said. "This is the art of women's beauty."

She also lashed out at critics of the project, asking them what they have done for the cause. She defended the project, saying this was the quickest way to raise money and get it to Aids victims.

She dismissed suggestions that posing in the buff would set an example for the younger generation to emulate, saying they can think for themselves.

"Not all people are stupid."

The undertaking brought some 30 models and celebrities to take nud_e pictures to be featured at the Fame Erotica exhibition open to the public from April 5-9 at CentralWorld.

The one-metre-square nud_e pictures are scheduled to be put up for bidding to raise funds for Aids patients at Lop Buri's Phrabath Namphu Temple and Nonthaburi's Bamraj Naradoon Hospital.

It's not known if the Nonthaburi hospital would feel the same way about the project as the temple.

Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-aroon called the project inappropriate, as some photos and poses were provocative. She urged the celebrities to use their fame in other merit-making methods.

Khaisri said she understood the models' and celebrities' wishes to act for a charitable cause, raising money for Aids patients, but the approach of taking nud_e pictures - some reportedly struck suggestive poses as in pin-up calendars - was not proper.

The celebrities already had the public glued to their every move, she said, and should find another way to raise funds.

Prisana Pongtadsirikul, secretary-general of the National Culture Commission, said that being charity-minded was good but their deeds should also be responsible to the whole society. She said the ministry had been trying to promote polite and traditional Thai-style clothing ahead of the Thai New Year festival, so she would prefer these public figures to set good examples for youths nationwide.

She said that they should have chosen other fund-raising activities and asked why the celebrities did not take photos with their clothes on or wear Thai clothing instead. She also suspected that this move might be driven by commercial interests or was a PR stunt for the participants to gain more publicity.

Ladda Tangsupachai, director of the Culture Watch Centre, said she understood the good intentions of the organiser and celebrities but they might lack cultural understanding that merit-making money should be earned from decent methods and sources. She also expressed concern that the affair might confuse young people who have been criticised for wearing revealing clothes.

Ladda also said that the case was discussed at a meeting of the committee for safe and constructive media, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham, and committee members just shook their heads in disagreement with such a "benefit".

Former senator Rabiebrat Pongpanit, president of the Happy Family Association, slammed the models and celebrities for resorting to taking their clothes off for a good cause, which would create a bad example for Thai youths.

Rabiebrat said that she felt hurt that the famous people used charity as an excuse to stoop to this behaviour. She said they should have done something else.

"The monks [at Phrabath Namphu Temple] must feel uncomfortable to accept donated money from this, but being Buddhist monks taught not to be choosy in merit-taking, he would have to take it. This charity project is not a good example. They don't seem to think things through," she said while urging the Culture Ministry to act upon it.

Venerable Phramaha Samai Jintakosako from the Saeng Thian Foundation said that, while helping Aids patients was great merit, taking nud_e pictures was inappropriate and against Thai culture and tradition. He said this even put Phrabath Namphu Temple in a negative light because the money came from an activity against good tradition and thus was "ungraceful" and a bad example. He urged the project participants not to jeopardise the good image of Buddhist monks who devoted themselves to caring for Aids patients. He expressed concern that if this could not be stopped, someone might produce nud_e VCDs to raise funds for charity in the future.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

nud_e snaps charity stunt snubbed by Aids temple

Wat Phra Bart Nam Phu temple, which cares for abandoned Aids patients, has turned down an offer of cash donations to be raised from an Aids charity edition of Fame magazine containing nud_e pictures of male and female celebrities, models and actors. The temple abbot, Phra Udom Prachathorn, widely-known as Phra Archan Alongkot, said the temple would not accept donations from such activity. He added the temple in Lop Buri knew nothing about the plan, nor had any hand in organising it, even though the magazine may have used the temple's name in connection with the auction for the nud_e photos, to be held sometime between April 5-9. The organiser had faxed the temple to say it was sending a representative to provide a cash donation. An organiser, who declined to be named, said the magazine was having second thoughts about the project. The Ministry of Culture also turned its nose up at the proposed charity event.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/31Mar2007_news02.php

[sriracha john]

while awaiting approval for Daily News, here's Thai Rath...

[sriracha john]

Daily News newspaper

[dogleg]

Chr1st John, that one with the short hair doesnt look right to me! Should be banned!!

[sriracha john]

nud_e ‘charity’ effort ruffles Thai government

BANGKOK - A ‘charity’ edition of Fame magazine featuring nud_e photos of celebrities to be auctioned off to raise funds for a Buddhist temple treating AIDS patients has peeved Thailand’s Ministry of Culture, media reports said Saturday.

Photos of 30 Thai models and celebrities, male and female, will appear in the April edition of the Thai-language entertainment magazine Fame and have a special showing at the Fame Erotica exhibition at the Central World department store on April 5 to 9, said The Nation newspaper.

The buff shots will thereafter be auctioned off to raise funds for the Lopburi Prabath Namphu temple and Nonthaburi’s Bamraj Naradoon Hospital, both of which are famous for their charity work with HIV/AIDS patients.

Culture Minister Khaisri Sri-aroon on Friday called the project inappropriate, and urged the celebrities to use their fame in less provocative merit-making efforts.

‘Why didn’t the celebrities have their photos taken with their clothes on or dress in traditional Thai clothes instead,’ commented Prisana Pongtadsirikul, secretary-general of the National Culture Commission.

The conservative backlash has forced Abbot Phrah Alongkut of the Lobburi AIDS hospice to refuse proceeds from the unique charity campaign, even though it goes against Buddhist principles to turn down any donation.

Some of the nud_e celebrities were miffed with the government’s response.

‘We did this for free,’ said Penpak Sirikul, a model. ‘This is the quickest way to raise money for charity.’

The Ministry of Culture is Thailand’s newest ministry, set up four years ago, *by ex-PM Thaksin*, with the mandate to spread understanding about Thai culture abroad and preserving the kingdom’s rich cultural and historical heritage to bolster the tourism industry.

Thus far the ministry has proven more adept at cracking down on activities it finds offensive to their perception of Thai norms and mores.

- DPA

==============================


Penpak Sirikul, in a different magazine spread

[sriracha john]

Government figures urged to disrobe for charity

A remote temple in the Northeast yesterday appealed to elder statesmen and women in the government to help raise funds for the terminally ill patients it shelters by shedding their formal suits and skirts and posing naked for a charity photo shoot. A spokesman for Wat Pa Samun Prai said proceeds from the fund raising effort would be acceptable because the ministers would be reminding people of the way long and unyielding years of public service can take its toll on the human body. The images would not be sexually provocative like some of the nud_e snaps of male and female celebrities being offered in a magazine's charity edition for Aids sufferers at another temple, the spokesman said, adding that he was not making any judgement on the physical attractiveness of any of the government ministers.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01Apr2007_news01.php

=====================================

Great idea!!! Let's get some full frontal nudity shots of Sudarat....

[Bagwan]

Great idea!!! Let's get some full frontal nudity shots of Sudarat....

And Potjaman?

[John K]

I saw a nice comment today in The Nation by a reader who said, that nudity was the norm in Thailand prior to Victorian influence. The primary reason for nudity was the heat. I believe this to be true based on Thai artwork that I have seen that depicts Thai women topless. I suspect this may have the culture minister in a bit of a bind to selective pick what parts of Thai culture are acceptable. To be correct there should be no restriction on honoring that part of Thai history.

[Laulen]

Perhaps the Thai Culture Ministry should be sent copies of 'Calendar Girls' with Helen Mirren, Julie Walters et al. recreating the true story of how an English Womens Institute raised money to fund a local cause by producing a calendar of themselves photographed in the nud_e, but 'tastefully'.

From one prudish nation to another, perhaps here is a cause for celebration of the human form?

[sriracha john]

Great idea!!! Let's get some full frontal nudity shots of Sudarat....

And Potjaman?

It's a real toss-up as to which of these sexy mama's has the more gorgeous body....

[plachon]

Great idea!!! Let's get some full frontal nudity shots of Sudarat....

And Potjaman?

It's a real toss-up as to which of these sexy mama's has the more gorgeous body....

Less tossing-up and more control of yourself, John! They can't help being living proof of Mr T's gift to the men of Thailand and the sexy vixen venuses they are. True sign of taste!

[sriracha john]

Great idea!!! Let's get some full frontal nudity shots of Sudarat....

And Potjaman?

It's a real toss-up as to which of these sexy mama's has the more gorgeous body....

Less tossing-up and more control of yourself, John! They can't help being living proof of Mr T's gift to the men of Thailand and the sexy vixen venuses they are. True sign of taste!

I'm reminded by this updated post:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1232436

just what a foxy lady Thaksin's sister is....... whooooaaaaa.... she is hot hot hot....

[Plus]

I saw a nice comment today in The Nation by a reader who said, that nudity was the norm in Thailand prior to Victorian influence. The primary reason for nudity was the heat. I believe this to be true based on Thai artwork that I have seen that depicts Thai women topless. I suspect this may have the culture minister in a bit of a bind to selective pick what parts of Thai culture are acceptable. To be correct there should be no restriction on honoring that part of Thai history.

I thought that was another letter from some sexpat trying to teach Thais their own culture.

It can be argued how these restrictions in the dress code came into being, whethere there were English Victorian in origin or not, but for now nudity is not ok here.

AFAIK low classes had low dress codes and whores were always dressed like whores and nothing has changed for them. They can still walk naked on the tables and no one gives a toss.

Depictions of concubines and private "parties" also do not reflect how people dressed in public.

Vast majority of Thai women won't even wear a swimsuit at the beach. Too revealing.

[Thai-Spy]

I saw a nice comment today in The Nation by a reader who said, that nudity was the norm in Thailand prior to Victorian influence. The primary reason for nudity was the heat. I believe this to be true based on Thai artwork that I have seen that depicts Thai women topless. I suspect this may have the culture minister in a bit of a bind to selective pick what parts of Thai culture are acceptable. To be correct there should be no restriction on honoring that part of Thai history.

There are any number of organizations in Bangkok and Chonburi that are active in preserving this aspect of cultural heritage, although the rock music and knee-high boots are a bit of an anachronism.

[Bottlerocket]

'Cuz the times they are a cha-a-a-anging!

[andook]

Great idea!!! Let's get some full frontal nudity shots of Sudarat....

And Potjaman?

It's a real toss-up as to which of these sexy mama's has the more gorgeous body....

Less tossing-up and more control of yourself, John! They can't help being living proof of Mr T's gift to the men of Thailand and the sexy vixen venuses they are. True sign of taste!

I'm reminded by this updated post:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1232436

just what a foxy lady Thaksin's sister is....... whooooaaaaa.... she is hot hot hot....

Looks like pigs fighting in a silk sack...

[sriracha john]

Great idea!!! Let's get some full frontal nudity shots of Sudarat....

And Potjaman?

It's a real toss-up as to which of these sexy mama's has the more gorgeous body....

Less tossing-up and more control of yourself, John! They can't help being living proof of Mr T's gift to the men of Thailand and the sexy vixen venuses they are. True sign of taste!

I'm reminded by this updated post:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1232436

just what a foxy lady Thaksin's sister is....... whooooaaaaa.... she is hot hot hot....

Looks like pigs fighting in a silk sack...

Picture all three of them now in very skimpy bikini tops and thongs frolicking playfully in the surf..... wow!

Edited April 3, 2007 by sriracha john

[Payboy]

Government figures urged to disrobe for charity

A remote temple in the Northeast yesterday appealed to elder statesmen and women in the government to help raise funds for the terminally ill patients it shelters by shedding their formal suits and skirts and posing naked for a charity photo shoot. A spokesman for Wat Pa Samun Prai said proceeds from the fund raising effort would be acceptable because the ministers would be reminding people of the way long and unyielding years of public service can take its toll on the human body. The images would not be sexually provocative like some of the nud_e snaps of male and female celebrities being offered in a magazine's charity edition for Aids sufferers at another temple, the spokesman said, adding that he was not making any judgement on the physical attractiveness of any of the government ministers.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01Apr2007_news01.php

=====================================

Great idea!!! Let's get some full frontal nudity shots of Sudarat....

sj, looks like you've been had by bangkok posts april fool prank!

[sriracha john]

Government figures urged to disrobe for charity

A remote temple in the Northeast yesterday appealed to elder statesmen and women in the government to help raise funds for the terminally ill patients it shelters by shedding their formal suits and skirts and posing naked for a charity photo shoot. A spokesman for Wat Pa Samun Prai said proceeds from the fund raising effort would be acceptable because the ministers would be reminding people of the way long and unyielding years of public service can take its toll on the human body. The images would not be sexually provocative like some of the nud_e snaps of male and female celebrities being offered in a magazine's charity edition for Aids sufferers at another temple, the spokesman said, adding that he was not making any judgement on the physical attractiveness of any of the government ministers.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01Apr2007_news01.php

=====================================

Great idea!!! Let's get some full frontal nudity shots of Sudarat....

sj, looks like you've been had by bangkok posts april fool prank!

shhhh..... someone forgot to tell that to Thaksin and his "friend"

[Payboy]

Government figures urged to disrobe for charity

A remote temple in the Northeast yesterday appealed to elder statesmen and women in the government to help raise funds for the terminally ill patients it shelters by shedding their formal suits and skirts and posing naked for a charity photo shoot. A spokesman for Wat Pa Samun Prai said proceeds from the fund raising effort would be acceptable because the ministers would be reminding people of the way long and unyielding years of public service can take its toll on the human body. The images would not be sexually provocative like some of the nud_e snaps of male and female celebrities being offered in a magazine's charity edition for Aids sufferers at another temple, the spokesman said, adding that he was not making any judgement on the physical attractiveness of any of the government ministers.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01Apr2007_news01.php

=====================================

Great idea!!! Let's get some full frontal nudity shots of Sudarat....

sj, looks like you've been had by bangkok posts april fool prank!

shhhh..... someone forgot to tell that to Thaksin and his "friend"

that p(l)ic alone is going to raise a million!

[Bagwan]

just what a foxy lady Thaksin's sister is....... whooooaaaaa.... she is hot hot hot....

The only way this lady could be considered hot is if she was burned at the stake.

[sriracha john]

just what a foxy lady Thaksin's sister is....... whooooaaaaa.... she is hot hot hot....

The only way this lady could be considered hot is if she was burned at the stake.

mmmm... did someone mention a pig roast

[sonnyJ]

I saw a nice comment today in The Nation by a reader who said, that nudity was the norm in Thailand prior to Victorian influence. The primary reason for nudity was the heat. I believe this to be true based on Thai artwork that I have seen that depicts Thai women topless. I suspect this may have the culture minister in a bit of a bind to selective pick what parts of Thai culture are acceptable. To be correct there should be no restriction on honoring that part of Thai history.

I thought that was another letter from some sexpat trying to teach Thais their own culture.

It can be argued how these restrictions in the dress code came into being, whethere there were English Victorian in origin or not, but for now nudity is not ok here.

AFAIK low classes had low dress codes and whores were always dressed like whores and nothing has changed for them. They can still walk naked on the tables and no one gives a toss.

Depictions of concubines and private "parties" also do not reflect how people dressed in public.

Vast majority of Thai women won't even wear a swimsuit at the beach. Too revealing.

On a trip to Baan Thoet Thai to check out the old Khun Sa's HQ on the Burmee border I did have a conversation with an old topless thai lady. She was very comfortable even farang came to take pics. She was just sweeping her yard there. This was in 2004.

Edited April 6, 2007 by sonnyJ

[AndrewRuang]

I agree with the temple to refuse from the sale of those pictures, if these people were sincere in doing charity, there're tons of other ways to do that. At the end of the day, those stars who are featured nud_e in the pics are the one who are going to get a lot of attention. I doubt the sincerity of these stars to pose nud_e for charity, they are just going for more publicity for themselves.

[Gonzo the Face]

I agree with the temple to refuse from the sale of those pictures, if these people were sincere in doing charity, there're tons of other ways to do that. At the end of the day, those stars who are featured nud_e in the pics are the one who are going to get a lot of attention. I doubt the sincerity of these stars to pose nud_e for charity, they are just going for more publicity for themselves.

Accepted...... but so what???? they are in it for the publicity, the money and if some good can come for others..... who am I too judge....

I , wouldn't even buy a photo of me nud_e..... cie la vie said the old folks, goes to show you never can tell

Edited April 8, 2007 by Gonzo the Face

[otherstuff1957]

I know that it's only April, but I think that this qualifies as the quote of the year:

"Not all people are stupid."