RS wrong to make band join campaign

Subhatra Bhumiprabhas

subhatra@nationgroup.com

What warrants thought is the idea behind RS for making the four girls dress in Thai traditional costumes to help the Culture Ministry  promote the Songkran Festival.

Band member Piya Pongkullapa, alias Giftza, said RS's public relations department had asked the group to join the ministry's conference in March.

Whether you agree with the ministry's idea or not, most people, including RS, know well that the ministry's campaign to promote the Songkran Festival included encouraging Thai women not to dress in revealing clothes at Songkran.

Mananya Limsatien, alias Bell, also urged Thai girls not to wear clothes that are "too revealing" or "too sexy" because it may put them in danger.

The next day, photos of Girly Berry members in traditional Thai costumes appeared all over the media. That was what the RS got from joining the ministry's campaign.

But, on Songkran Day, Girly Berry jumped on stage, dancing in their usual sexy attire.

They said their role was to entertain and traditional Thai costumes were not suitable for the concert.

I do not think people expected to see Girly Berry members or other Thai women to wear traditional costumes at Songkran Festival or on any other day.

Wearing traditional Thai costume is not a duty, but an option. The point is that the public campaign was exploited.

The Girly Berry case reminded me of the campaign against smoking some years ago. The campaign organiser asked a famous singer to be a presenter, but the star politely declined. He said he was a smoker and did not want to fool the public.

Looking beyond profit, RS should not have made Girly Berry join the ministry's campaign.