Thai Newsweek dispute deepens

Thai Newsweek dispute deepens

BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan scolded
Newsweek magazine on Monday amid growing anger over a cover story
highlighting Bangkok's notorious sex trade.

Surin said the foreign ministry had summoned Newsweek
representatives to complain about the article, an in-depth
analysis of Thailand's prospects for economic recovery after its
worst crisis on record.

In a paragraph that has infuriated Thai officials, the
magazine quoted an unnamed foreign diplomat as saying: "Thailand
has two comparative advantages -- sex and golf courses."

The report was damaging as "Newsweek is believed by the
international media", he said, urging the country to be proud of
its press freedom laws and many attributes.
"Newsweek should be renamed Newsweak," Surin joked, claiming the
article which he described as "unbalanced" would harm the
magazine's reputation.