Nok Air calendar "inappropriate"

Pakamard Jaisa-ard

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Culture Permanent Secretary Prisana Pongtatpitakkul on Saturday attacked Nok Air for its controversial calendar.

"The calendar shows that several business operators still adhere to conventional practices in using female bodies as the PR or marketing tool," she said.

"They lack the sense of social and cultural responsiblity and ignore social and cultural repercussions - particularly female dignity."

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She noted that this explained why foreigners still have negative attitude towards Thai women and all parties in Thai society need to lend a hand in fixing this.

Nok Air now shows the photo of 12 girls in yellow bikinis, posting in front of its aircraft, on its Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/nokairlines. The girls appear on the front cover of its calendar, which will be distributed to 300 fans.

Prisana admitted that it is within the airline’s rights to do so and the Culture Ministry has no rights to punish it.

She said the ministry will soon host a discussion with related parties like the advertising association, PR companies, media and consumer protection agencies to address the issue, before using female bodies as a marketing tool will becomes an acceptable norm.

-- The Nation 2013-02-10

She noted that this explained why foreigners still have negative attitude towards Thai women and all parties in Thai society need to lend a hand in fixing this.

I would just like to point out that I only have a positive attitude towards the ladies in the calendar and if they'd like to send me a copy I'd certainly not need anyone to "lend me a hand" if you know what I mean.

300 copies for "fans"? Advertising is one thing (I'll leave matters of taste to others) but what is the point of such a limited edition?

"She noted that this explained why foreigners still have negative attitude towards Thai women and all parties in Thai society need to lend a hand in fixing this."

I'm all for going to parties where all parties in Thai society lend a hand. I'm sure that there are enough hands to go round...

That plane looks very miserable...

"She noted that this explained why foreigners still have negative attitude towards Thai women."

Hands up all Foriegners who think this calendar creates a negative attitude towards Thai women. Personally I see nothing wrong wrong with it.

I guess the Thai Culture Department just don't get it and never will. This sort of thing does not create a negative attitude towards Thailand what does however is the Culture Department itself along with the corruption, the scams, cheating and lies. Throw in some dual pricing and racism towards tourists.

Again if the Minister had kept her mouth shut no-one would have known about the calender as it is limited to 300 people.

And what about the buses having pictures of girls in bras on the back of the seats or on the sides, surely this is exactly the same.

Edited February 10, 201313 yr by beano2274

"Thai airways responded that it had tried to compete with its own calendar, but had been unable to find 12 appropriately aged and sized stewardesses"

300 copies for "fans"? Advertising is one thing (I'll leave matters of taste to others) but what is the point of such a limited edition?

The point is that they don't want foreigners getting thier hands on one and looking at Thai women in a negative way. 300 copies will be enough for Nok air executives and the staff at the culture department to put on thier walls and admire the women.

I wonder if the culture permanant secretary rebuked Chalerm when he was high on 'ear medicine' and insulted one of the women members of parliament last year?

Get your own house in order first.

"Thai airways responded that it had tried to compete with its own calendar, but had been unable to find 12 appropriately aged and sized stewardesses"

I'm looking forward to the PC Air version.

Edited February 10, 201313 yr by OzMick

That plane looks very miserable...

There's a plane?

That plane looks very miserable...

There's a plane?

There is but you have to have the '1000 yard stare' to find it

"Thai airways responded that it had tried to compete with its own calendar, but had been unable to find 12 appropriately aged and sized stewardesses"

I'm looking forward to the PC Air version.

Mankinis?

Again if the Minister had kept her mouth shut no-one would have known about the calender as it is limited to 300 people.

And what about the buses having pictures of girls in bras on the back of the seats or on the sides, surely this is exactly the same.

It is pretty hard to close your mouth when you have your foot shoved in it. Agree the Culture department always seem to highlight what they are trying to keep under mat.

The bar has been set - let's see what Bangkok Airways does. But as in most advertising, the target market is reflected in the 'hook'. Nok is portraying a fun airline and one more suited to holiday makers, not so much a business market (but you can bet the business men would not complain). Not everyone likes purple and a lady dressed top to tail with a severe head do, offering an orchid!

The girls in Thailand pride themselves on looking sexy, I expect Khun Prisama even wanted to look sexy in her younger days...we're human...we all want to look sexy, it's just that Dunkin Donut's wins over sometimes.

Edited February 10, 201313 yr by lemonjelly

What kind of response would result if all the models were male?

<deleted>, really?!

THAT is a problem with Thailand and it's reputation?

Seriously?

The people who think that, are essentially oxygen thieves!

I am absolutely stunned- how far out of any type of clear thinking can you possibly be?

300 calendars with women in bathing suites!

Repent- the end is near!

Yeh but, all the models are Katoys.

She said the ministry will soon host a discussion with related parties like the advertising association, PR companies, media and consumer protection agencies to address the issue, before using female bodies as a marketing tool will becomes an acceptable norm.

All this hoo haa from some aged old female who has long since passed her best before date and is now nothing more than a jealous vindictive menopausal female who of course ignores those in power around her and their actions.

Pretty girls perverting the image of Thailand ?

Woman take a look at the malaministration you are involved with and the compare the girls to your current maladministration and the messages and image that the maladministration shows to us all.

Meanwhile rampant power abuse and corruption is condoned in the rat run of power by those that are blind toreality, sadly that is the norm in Thai society.

As has already been said, put your own house in order before you try to put other sections of society and their houses in order,

No doubt the next proposed hub will be that Thailand becomes the Hub of Chastity Belts if the culture minister has her way.

To quote the immortal words of an old friend of mine with a slight change in the quote.

'' I wouldn't climb over those girls just to get to you Madam Culture Minister.''

Edited February 10, 201313 yr by siampolee

The bar has been set - let's see what Bangkok Airways does. But as in most advertising, the target market is reflected in the 'hook'. Nok is portraying a fun airline and one more suited to holiday makers, not so much a business market (but you can bet the business men would not complain). Not everyone likes purple and a lady dressed top to tail with a severe head do, offering an orchid!

At PC Air, all the hostesses have had their orchids removed (at the very least).

I think the red neon glow visible from space does a little more to tarnish Thailands image.

I am just wondering how much work got done at the airport that day because i hear one of the models took a picture looking back at the cameraman that day. 5000 male airport employees crammed behind the cameraman.

Nok Air facebook now has 301 friends.

-mel.

Yeh but, all the models are Katoys.

Say it ain't so.

Order of my "inappropriate" behaviors, for starters...

NEWS FLASH.

Thai culture ministry secures supplies of reinforced safety underwear for Thai females thus preserving the good name of Thai ladies and the country's reputation internationally.