Bangkok, Monday.
THAI Foreign Minister Prasong Soonsiri said today that his Government
was considering a ban on British imports after the publication of a
British dictionary which described Bangkok as ''a place often mentioned
where there are a lot of prostitutes''.
Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai was quoted on radio as saying that
misinformation was reaching Europe that prostitution was out of control
in Thailand and that he personally believed Bangkok had no more
prostitutes than London.
Thai students demonstrated for a third day outside the British Embassy
in Bangkok today as the war of words begun last week escalated, forcing
Longman's, the publishers of the dictionary with the offending entry, to
promise that it would be withdrawn.
Student leader Pailat Panalie, 24, handed a letter to the embassy
today and said: ''Bangkok does have some brothels, but so does London.
It's offensive that Thailand should be singled out.''
Tony Wilson, political secretary at the British embassy, met the
demonstators and promised to pass on the letter to Longman's.
Thai Government spokesman Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would approach the
embassy to see if it would help resolve the problem. Britain's
ambassador, Christian Adams, was in the UK and was believed to be in
contact with Longman's.
Abhisit, who was educated in London, said that if the reference to
prostitutes in the Longman's Dictionary of English Language and Culture
was not removed, Thailand might produce its own dictionary with special
references to Britain.
The definition might run: ''England: Former colony hunter which killed
scores of natives worldwide. Capital London. Target of terrorists groups
including IRA.
''Known chiefly for an area called Soho, a sleazy area where
unattractive women plied their trade as prostitutes.''
The new Longman's dictionary defined Bangkok as: ''The capital city
and main port of Thailand. It is famous for its temples and other
beautiful buildings and is also mentioned as a place where there are a
lot of prostitutes.''
The book has been withdrawn from university libraries and the
Government is considering banning it.
The Thai Embassy in London has complained to Longman's and expressed
shock and regret.
A cover story in Time magazine last month showing a European with his
hands round a Thai prostitute also drew protests from the Thai
Government to the US Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Government spokesman added that Thais were angry, not because
there were no prostitutes in Bangkok, but because the problem was being
tackled. ''If you look for prostitutes you can find them everywhere.''
Thai Government policy had changed from the days of previous Prime
Minister Chatichai Choonavan, who, when asked about Thailand's
prostitution problem, replied: ''Our problem is that we have too many
beautiful women, don't you think?''
But others want Thailand to attack the problem, not the dictionary.
Officials say there are some 80,000 prostitutes in Thailand but
unofficial counts are far higher and 20% of the prostitutes are thought
to be under 18.
''The Government should take action instead of just being ashamed of
the international image of the country,'' said Chantawipa Apisuk, head
of a prostitutes' rights group.
In London this afternoon Longman's announced that it would withdraw
the controversial dictionary from sale in Thailand -- and change its
definition of Bangkok.
''The Dictionary of English Language and Culture draws its information
from a wide range of sources such as newspapers and magazines and is
intended to reflect the popular meaning of words it does not influence
or create new definitions,'' the publisher said.
''However we are sensitive to the feelings of the Thai people and
therefore we will withdraw the current definition from the next reprint,
planned at the end of the year.''
The row erupted as a Thai princess was beginning a goodwill visit to
London.
Princess Sirindhorn Maha Chakri is to open a six-day seminar on Thai
studies that will bring together Thai and foreign scholars.
During her 10-day visit the princess, a daughter of King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, will visit the BBC, the Red Cross, and the Royal Botanical
Gardens.
The Foreign Office was determined not to get involved in the vice row
as Princess Sirindhorn was welcomed by Minister of State Alastair
Goodlad.
A spokeswoman said: ''This is a matter between Longman's and the Thai
authorities, who are in touch on the issue.''
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