Thailand Upset Over Miss Universe Bikini Babes

[george]

Thailand upset over Miss Universe bikini babes

BANGKOK: -- Miss Universe organisers scrambled on Thursday to calm a furore over photos of bikini-clad contestants posing near an ancient Buddhist temple in pageant host Thailand after the images infuriated religious leaders.

The photos, which showed beauty queens on a Bangkok river cruise with the famed Wat Arun, or "Temple of Dawn", in the background, were swiftly removed from the pageant Web site.

But religious leaders and culture watchdogs are still upset, saying the episode violated traditional values and morality just days before a key Buddhist holiday.

"This is the time of Visakha Bucha when we are reminded of Lord Buddha's teachings. But we have allowed this thing which will mark the country with sin for a long time," Phra Thep Dilok, head of the National Center for Buddhism Promotion, said.

The chair of the Senate tourism committee, Suradech Yasawat, said the photos, which were splashed on the front pages of most Thai newspapers, had hurt the country's image.

"It is completely inappropriate. When a contest is being held in Thailand, Thai traditions and culture should be respected," he told the Thai News Agency.

About 90 percent of Thailand's 63 million people are Buddhist and any slight against the religion can trigger a public outcry.

Last year, the director of the U.S. movie Hollywood Buddha apologised for offending Thais by sitting on the head of a Buddha image for an advertising poster. Thai Buddhists consider the head the most sacred part of the body and it is not to be touched.

And despite Bangkok's hundreds of go-go bars and its racy reputation as the "anything goes" sex capital of Southeast Asia, many Thais are uncomfortable with public nudity.

FOOTAGE VETTED

Pageant president Paula Shugart said the temple incident was unfortunate and would not happen again.

"We knew that if we had any visits to the temple, we knew how the women had to dress. This happened to be out on the river and unfortunately it appeared in the background," she said.

"We would never, ever do anything to intentionally offend anyone here".

The Miss Universe franchise is a partnership between real-estate mogul Donald Trump and U.S. television network NBC.

Shugart said video footage of the 81 Miss Universe hopefuls -- who have gone on elephant rides, toured temples and frolicked on beaches since arriving last week -- would be vetted by the pageant's Thai partners before the May 31 grand finale is broadcast worldwide. It screens in the United States on May 30.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who hopes the pageant will give Thailand's tsunami-hit tourist industry a badly-needed boost, has urged Thais not to overreact.

Thailand has spent 265 million baht ($6.7 million) on hosting the event and expects to earn 3.2 billion baht ($80.4 million) in revenue from the pageant and other activities.

"I think they did not intend to insult Thai culture. They just wanted to shoot pictures of beautiful places but did not realise that the temple is sacred for Thais," he said.

Some Thais are also wondering what the fuss is all about.

"We wanted to promote our tourism industry, right? If we want tourists to come to Thailand, then let them see it," said a university student on an Internet chat site.

--Reuters 2005-05-24

[Tornado]

I agree -" It is completely inappropriate"

[chuchok]

I agree -" It is completely inappropriate"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly! Too much bikini and not enough babe.

Edited May 24, 2005 by chuchok

[The Coder]

But religious leaders and culture watchdogs are still upset, saying the episode violated traditional values and morality

I find this statement incredible. I see nudity in a lot of Buddhist art. I have heard long ago even traditional thai dance at temples was topless. And we are just talking about bikinis while on a boat, NOT at the temple. In context, I just don't see why there is a sensitivity over this. Sounds like a modern Christian objection, not a Buddhist based one.

Last year, the director of the U.S. movie Hollywood Buddha apologised for offending Thais by sitting on the head of a Buddha image for an advertising poster. Thai Buddhists consider the head the most sacred part of the body and it is not to be touched.

On the other hand, this is completely inappropriate in the context of Buddhism and worthy of taking offense to.

[Crossy]

I and my (Thai) wife are also rather confused by the fuss. Yes, the temple is in the picture, but it is in the far background, just another piece of landscape along with the hi-rise offices.

We both agree 100% that the Hollywood Buddha advertising was inappropriate (although it did not appear here did it?).

[peder.klockmann]

Maybe they think that since this is a semi world wide event, they can try and change their current image (you know) by making a big fuss over 81 women in bikinis on a boat near a temple...

[frodo]

But religious leaders and culture watchdogs are still upset, saying the episode violated traditional values and morality

Right! For the many years that I've lived here, I've seen countless middle-aged to elderly woman wearing only the bottom half of their sari's. Even this morning travelling to work, there was a rather heavy set, middle aged woman sitting in front of her home displaying bare breasts. Nothing sexual, but nonetheless, nudity is nudity. That was part of the culture in the past, and in many elements of this culture it still exists. For the culture watchdogs to deny this is the case is rather foolish. Traditional? Morality? Give it a rest.

[mnoorsapl]

Thailand upset over Miss Universe bikini babes

The photos, which showed beauty queens on a Bangkok river cruise with the famed Wat Arun, or "Temple of Dawn", in the background, were swiftly removed from the pageant Web site.

"I think they did not intend to insult Thai culture. They just wanted to shoot pictures of beautiful places but did not realise that the temple is sacred for Thais," he said.

Some Thais are also wondering what the fuss is all about.

--Reuters 2005-05-24

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

wondering what the fuss is all about too ???

[mpdkorat]

I agree -" It is completely inappropriate"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly! Too much bikini and not enough babe.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think they should be allowed to expose thier breasts in front of temples between 2pm & 5pm and after midnight.

[Crossy]

I agree -" It is completely inappropriate"

Exactly! Too much bikini and not enough babe.

I think they should be allowed to expose thier breasts in front of temples between 2pm & 5pm and after midnight.

Fills the gap in the beer consumption nicely

Edited May 24, 2005 by Crossy

[udon]

Two tier pricing.

Two tier thinking........

[meadish_sweetball]

I agree -" It is completely inappropriate"

Exactly! Too much bikini and not enough babe.

I think they should be allowed to expose thier breasts in front of temples between 2pm & 5pm and after midnight.

Farang have to pay 200 baht to watch, Thais only 20. That way everyone will be happy.

[kreon]

And despite Bangkok's hundreds of go-go bars and its racy reputation as the "anything goes" sex capital of Southeast Asia, many Thais are uncomfortable with public nudity.

yeah right

and the fishbowls, coffee shops, beauty salons, monks in karaoke's

[thymode91]

And despite Bangkok's hundreds of go-go bars and its racy reputation as the "anything goes" sex capital of Southeast Asia, many Thais are uncomfortable with public nudity.

yeah right

and the fishbowls, coffee shops, beauty salons, monks in karaoke's

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[sriracha john]

And in a related development, MORE bizarre news :

Vietnam says woman representing country at Miss Universe pageant is not Miss Vietnam

A week before Miss Vietnam was set to stride across the stage in her swimsuit and evening gown at the Miss Universe pageant, officials in her home country on Tuesday said she hadn't earned the sash.

Pageant organizers say Pham Thu Hang, 22, can compete in the May 31 competition in Bangkok, Thailand, but Vietnamese officials said the real Miss Vietnam is studying in the United Kingdom and that Hang merely won a local contest.

"She was the winner of a Hanoi beauty contest," said Le Ngoc Cuong, director of the Ministry of Culture's Performance Art Department. "She is not qualified to represent Vietnam."

Miss Universe pageant organizers were told of Hang's situation weeks ago and agreed to allow her to compete after looking into the claims and deciding they were false, said MaryHilliard Harrington, spokeswoman for the pageant.

"We are confident that this is Miss Vietnam and Miss Vietnam Universe," she said.

The Vietnam title was won by Nguyen Thi Huyen, 19, in October 2004. A month later, she was selected as one of 15 finalists at the Miss World competition in China and has since moved abroad to study. It was unclear why the runner-up to the national competition was not invited to participate in the Miss Universe pageant if Huyen could not attend.

The Ho Chi Minh City Law newspaper quoted vice minister of culture and information Le Tien Tho as saying Vietnam will inform Miss Universe organizers that Hang did not win or place in the national competition. But he said cultural officials will not intervene if Miss Universe organizers accept Hang's status.

-----------------------------------------------------

Pham Thu Hang, Miss Vietnam 2005, poses in an evening gown at the Dusit Thani hotel in Bangkok for the Miss Universe 2005 competition.

[sriracha john]

SHEEEZ.... The adverse news on this event just keeps rolling right off the presses :

Claims of boost to tourism an illusion

Published on May 25, 2005

Before the Miss Universe contestants landed in Bangkok a few weeks ago, the government tried to justify the Bt265-million price tag by insisting that the pageant would boost tourism.

But that proved to be nothing more than wishful thinking, mainly because of poor preparations and inadequate planning.

After the government paid the Miss Universe Organisation for the rights to stage the event, the Tourism Authority of Thailand said 10,000 international visitors would converge on the Kingdom to watch the show.

The TAT ordered its 17 overseas offices to step up marketing efforts through trade shows and tell the world that Thailand was the place to be in May.

But it was all just an illusion.

Thailand witnessed a drop in tourist numbers, despite the fact that the pageant won’t be over until the end of the month.

Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said 93,458 tourists arrived during the first 15 days of May, down 9.5 per cent over the same period last year.

Other tourism-related associations like the International Air Ticket Association and the Thai Hotels Association also confirmed that the figures were not satisfactory.

Prakit Shinamourpong, deputy president of the Thai Hotels Association, said Bangkok’s average hotel occupancy rate in the first half of the month was 70 per cent, the same as last year.

With the exception of the Dusit Thani and the Sofitel Central Plaza, which were chosen as the official hotels for the pageant, city hotels have not received any extra bookings during the pageant period.

“This contest has not yielded any positive result for Bangkok hotels,” a hotel executive said.

Most observers seem to blame the poor preparations and delays in finalising the deal between TAT and Miss Universe Organisation.

It apparently took TAT months to finalise the deal because Thailand had to compete with China and Chile.

The deal was only wrapped up a few months ago, giving tourism-related organisations little time to come up with promotions.

As a result, it was impossible for Thailand to achieve what it expected from the competition, said Anuphong Kittilaksanon, managing director of TV Air Booking Co and spokesman for International Air Ticket Association.

“Even those who are interested in this sort of thing could not be persuaded to come to Thailand,” he said.

The government failed to formulate concrete marketing promotions and activities to attract tourists because of the limited time available to prepare packages for overseas tourists.

Singapore is probably the only nation in the region with the ability to take advantage of such an event, he said.

Private operators in Singapore are usually given a year to set up packages before big concerts or sports events.

The small island state attracted 8.3 million visitors last year, compared to just over 12 million for Thailand, a larger country that is rich in natural resources and tourist attractions.

The worldwide TV coverage of the pageant’s final round will probably boost Thailand’s tourism image, he said.

If it doesn’t, the government will have wasted Bt265 million for nothing.

[Johpa]

And despite Bangkok's hundreds of go-go bars and its racy reputation as the "anything goes" sex capital of Southeast Asia, many Thais are uncomfortable with public nudity.

Heck, most Thais are uncomfortable being naked in a room by themselves.

[Thetyim]

But religious leaders and culture watchdogs are still upset, saying the episode violated traditional values and morality

Unbelievable.

Has anyone here been to a northern wat and seen a Lum Wong.

It is performed inside the wat grounds and is definately sexual as in hands on.

I will get banned if I describe it in full.

[fw1]

Yes but quite a while ago though.

Know what you mean.

Edited May 25, 2005 by fw1

[thymode91]

But religious leaders and culture watchdogs are still upset, saying the episode violated traditional values and morality

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unbelievable.

Has anyone here been to a northern wat and seen a Lum Wong.

It is performed inside the wat grounds and is definately sexual as in hands on.

I will get banned if I describe it in full.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yap, I saw once in sokhothai province. its songkran festival and there were a party in the temple premisses. guess what? ... they got a live band with sexy dancer and very loud music.. even the "NUN" were watching them.

[sriracha john]

And despite Bangkok's hundreds of go-go bars and its racy reputation as the "anything goes" sex capital of Southeast Asia, many Thais are uncomfortable with public nudity.

Heck, most Thais are uncomfortable being naked in a room by themselves.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

:D

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.... that's one of the truest and funniest things I've heard in awhile... thanks..

[sriracha john]

But religious leaders and culture watchdogs are still upset, saying the episode violated traditional values and morality

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unbelievable.

Has anyone here been to a northern wat and seen a Lum Wong.

It is performed inside the wat grounds and is definately sexual as in hands on.

I will get banned if I describe it in full.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

oooohhh... sounds promisingly interesting...

how about a mass email/PM for those that request in-depth details??

----------

*edit*

oohhh....how provokingly stimulating.... nothing turns up on google/yahoo searching...???

or... perhaps a spelling difference?

Edited May 25, 2005 by sriracha john

[Thetyim]

"oooohhh... sounds promisingly interesting... laugh.gif

how about a mass email/PM for those that request in-depth details?? biggrin.gif"

Email me if you want details.

Mass PM's are attracting attention at the moment.

[sriracha john]

"oooohhh... sounds promisingly interesting... laugh.gif

how about a mass email/PM for those that request in-depth details?? biggrin.gif"

Email me if you want details.

Mass PM's are attracting attention at the moment.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

done..

I do understand about the spamming PM's, but it's not the same, it's for people that are interested in learning/reading about it and are asking for it.

Thanks in advance.

[Thetyim]

Heck, most Thais are uncomfortable being naked in a room by themselves.

Quote of the month award for Johpa, please

[Tornado]

And in a related development, MORE bizarre news      :

Vietnam says woman representing country at Miss Universe pageant is not Miss Vietnam

A week before Miss Vietnam was set to stride across the stage in her swimsuit and evening gown at the Miss Universe pageant, officials in her home country on Tuesday said she hadn't earned the sash.

Pageant organizers say Pham Thu Hang, 22, can compete in the May 31 competition in Bangkok, Thailand, but Vietnamese officials said the real Miss Vietnam is studying in the United Kingdom and that Hang merely won a local contest.

"She was the winner of a Hanoi beauty contest," said Le Ngoc Cuong, director of the Ministry of Culture's Performance Art Department. "She is not qualified to represent Vietnam."

Miss Universe pageant organizers were told of Hang's situation weeks ago and agreed to allow her to compete after looking into the claims and deciding they were false, said MaryHilliard Harrington, spokeswoman for the pageant.

"We are confident that this is Miss Vietnam and Miss Vietnam Universe," she said.

The Vietnam title was won by Nguyen Thi Huyen, 19, in October 2004. A month later, she was selected as one of 15 finalists at the Miss World competition in China and has since moved abroad to study. It was unclear why the runner-up to the national competition was not invited to participate in the Miss Universe pageant if Huyen could not attend.

The Ho Chi Minh City Law newspaper quoted vice minister of culture and information Le Tien Tho as saying Vietnam will inform Miss Universe organizers that Hang did not win or place in the national competition. But he said cultural officials will not intervene if Miss Universe organizers accept Hang's status.

-----------------------------------------------------

Pham Thu Hang, Miss Vietnam 2005, poses in an evening gown at the Dusit Thani hotel in Bangkok  for the Miss Universe 2005 competition.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Caption = you want go with me she looks like a ....................

[Jai Dee]

Caption = you want go with me  she looks like a .................... 

Do you reckon Torny? You've been spending too much time in naughty places.

I think she's cute!

[Tornado]

Caption = you want go with me  she looks like a .................... 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you reckon Torny? You've been spending too much time in naughty places.

I think she's cute!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

sorry, it should of read " she looks like a lovely girl"

One thing I do know for sure, is that she aint the prettiest girl in Vietnam by far.

those were the days

[Boatabike]

I first saw the picture in question in a local Thai newspaper, it was pointed out to me by a Thai friend who said it was no good. I then pointed out to him that if it was no good why was a local paper advertising it so that all Thais could see it? Where is the disrespect? A photo taken in innocence or alocal paper (with full awareness) spreading it far and wide?

After thinking about it for a few mins he kind of had to agree with me.

Cogito ergo doleo

[george]

'Should she wear pajamas'

JAKARTA: -- For the first time in two decades, an Indonesian citizen has joined the prestigious Miss Universe contest, held in Bangkok, Thailand this year. The participation of Artika Sari Devi in the beauty contest, however, has drawn protests at home. The country had previously prohibited contestants in local beauty pageants in predominantly Muslim Indonesia from competing in international pageants as it was said to be a disgrace to Indonesian culture and women. The Jakarta Post interviewed residents here on the issue.

Mala, 24, is a part-time filmmaker, who lives with her parents in Ciputat, South Jakarta.

Instead of condemning Artika, we should be proud of her and consider her our representative in the international arena. I think the people who are condemning her are hypocrites as they are silent on many other immoral acts in the country.

She is joining the contest for a good reason, and wearing a swimsuit at a beach or swimming pool is normal. There is nothing pornographic about it. What do you think she should wear? Pajamas?

What do they think about pictures of semi-naked women on the covers of so many tabloids in the country. The pictures are much more open than what Artika is wearing, and these women wear the outfits in a living room or in a field.

But they keep their mouth shut about those matters. I suspect they enjoy seeing and reading such tabloids.

Minyol, 24, is a student at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java. She lives with her parents in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta.

I support Artika's participation in the Miss Universe contest in Bangkok, Thailand. I think it will be good for Indonesia's image in the international community. I don't understand why people are making so much fuss about it. If she voluntarily decided to take part, why should anyone else be concerned about it?

Some people have complained about Artika's swimsuit. They say Indonesian women should not wear such an outfit in an international event. I think they concentrate too much on that issue and disregard the many benefits that Indonesia can enjoy by letting her join the contest.

We can prove to the world that we have a woman capable of competing with other woman at an international level. Beside, the contest is not only about physical beauty but also about brains and abilities.

--The Jakarta Post 2005-05-25