Leo Beer calendar slammed by women's group

Parichart Sathapitanont, from the alcohol watchdog academic network, said the calendar was a form of sales promotion which helped promote Boon Rawd's corporate image and brand royalty though it did not enhance circulation directly.

She said the calendars would make people remember the brand as images in the calendars present nude models with the product's logo. Similar calendars were distributed by firms selling alcohol such as Mae Khong and Saengsom in the past to boost sales.

"The company aims to suggest that people who drink Leo beer are sexy people or are like sexy people, which contrasts with its former Thai image," Parichart said.

Foundation manager Jadet Chaowilai said the foundation was told that some 30 people suffered sexual violence a day, with 10 of them abused by people who were drunk. And 1-2 victims found pornographic pictures were the main cause.

"To produce alcoholic drinks worsens society, and distributing nude calendars that provoke sexual violence worsens society more. To produce nude calendars is like the company using women as sex objects and reducing their dignity although it claims those women agreed to its conditions and that the calendars are works of art," Jadet said.