SOCIETY

Nude snaps charity stunt snubbed by Aids temple

Wat Phra Bart Nam Phu temple, which cares for abandoned Aids patients, has turned down an offer of cash donations to be raised from an Aids charity edition of Fame magazine containing nude pictures of male and female celebrities, models and actors. The temple abbot, Phra Udom Prachathorn, widely-known as Phra Archan Alongkot, said the temple would not accept donations from such activity.

He added the temple in Lop Buri knew nothing about the plan, nor had any hand in organising it, even though the magazine may have used the temple's name in connection with the auction for the nude photos, to be held sometime between April 5-9.

The organiser had faxed the temple to say it was sending a representative to provide a cash donation.

An organiser, who declined to be named, said the magazine was having second thoughts about the project.

The Ministry of Culture also turned its nose up at the proposed charity event.

The magazine is yet to come out, but promotional pictures released this week have already caused a stir. Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-aroon said there were better ways for celebrities to raise money for Aids victims than posing nude for a magazine.

Although she conceded that some of the pictures could be regarded as ''artistic'' rather than simply being lewd, some of the poses were sexually provocative. One in particular showed a model bending down.

Raising funds for charity was a noble thing, but the method chosen was inappropriate, she said.

The minister was responding to reports ahead of the release of the magazine that will showcase 32 celebrities, models and actresses who posed nude to raise funds for Wat Phra Bart Nam Phu, a major sanctuary for Aids sufferers.

''Taking off your clothes for photography is a different matter [from raising money for charity],'' said Prisana Pongtatsirikul, secretary-general of the Office of the National Culture Commission.

''I would like them to cover themselves. Being naked is not beautiful, nor is it a practice of decent women,'' she said.

Any charitable efforts should be socially responsible and keep within the boundaries of Thai culture especially that of dress in order to set a good example to young people.

Aids patients would be glad to receive the kind of assistance that would not adversely affect society, she said.

Bangkok Post

Saturday March 31, 2007