Thailand’s cultural guardians kicked into overdrive Wednesday after models covered only in body paint got patrons at a Bangkok International Motor Show preview a bit too revved up.
Culture Minister Weera Rojpotchanarat vowed to fine the "pretties" up to 5,000 baht each for public indecency and prosecute anyone sharing photos of them online following complaints from attendees of Tuesday's VIP and press preview.
The show at Bangkok's Impact Arena opened publicly on Wednesday and will run until April 5.
Gallery: Sexy cars, sexier models at Motor Show 2015
Mr Weera said the ministry could not sit idle following complaints that models showed off curves on more than just cars. One booth had models outfitted in only tiny bikinis and body paint.
Camermen shoot a model at the Bangkok Internatinal Motor Show on Tuesday. (Photo by Phrakrit Juntawong)
Such revealing attire did not fit the cultural context of Thailand, he said and called for cooperation from the organisers to have models cover up. The Culture Surveillance Bureau has been assigned to follow up the order.
Bureau chief Yupha Taweewattanakitborvon warned that the models could be fined up to 5,000 baht for inappropriate public acts and anyone posting indecent images could be found guilty of violating the Computer Crime Act.
The 36th Bangkok International at Muang Thong Thani hopes to draw 1.5 million visitors this year. A staple of the annual show is the models, or "pretties" — most of them women hired to lure visitors to booths.
Pretties Shanghai'd
The Shanghai Auto Show also featured models — until this year.
Organisers of the Chinese motor show decided to ban them from the event this year, the Beijing Today reported.
"In order to direct attention back to the original meaning and purpose of organising auto shows, and to help audiences focus on the automobile products, we decided to prohibit models," a statement issued by a sponsor said.
The Shanghai event, one of the biggest motor shows in Asia, starts on April 22.