Thais angered by Buddha on bottle

Thais angered by Buddha on bottle

BANGKOK (Reuter): The Thai government is being urged to complain officially to a French liquor company for putting the image of Buddha on the label of a liquor bottle the company produces.

Pramote Sukhum, deputy minister of education, told reporters yesterday he would ask the government to lodge a complaint with the French firm Le Clerc for its portrayal of Buddha on the liquor bottle.

Images of Buddha are sacred and treated with respect in Buddhist Thailand.

Thai students in France noticed the label on the vodka and pineapple juice drink and informed the Ministry of Education, which is also responsible for religious affairs, Pramote said.