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.