PRETTY straightforward
Skin fans give a big thumbs down to International motor show and its theme of 'clean and green'
Some Bangkok International Motor Show patrons are yelling foul this year: where are all the scantily clad promotion girls?
But some exhibitors say the sex was taking over the show. Plus, gorgeous girls in revealing kit don't match the image they're seeking in 2008: "clean and green". This year the eye candy is still a big part of the show, but it's less "exposed".
Honda Auto sales-promotion manager Chanitnart Kasivate tells Sunday Xpress that the launch of the new Jazz requires its "event girls" to parade in blue-and-white dresses, "to match the colour of the car. We chose natural tones and said no to 'sexy dresses'," he explains.
"Our concept is earth tones with some gold to make our booth and girls look elegant, in line with the high-class concept of our Lexus models. Our girls need to look smart rather than sexy. Their look represents our image," Saatchi chief executive Oranat Asanasen tells this newspaper.
But the girls' fans are upset, and in big numbers.
"I miss the sexy dresses and posing. I'm not a dirty-minded person, but I believe sex is part of the show, part of its colour," protests Manaschai Saetong, 30, a shopkeeper.
"Without event girls, I bet it's hard to get the huge crowds to come to the event. Sure, the real hard-core car fans will come, but I don't think they'll get the colossal numbers of other years," he says.
"To me, the girls are one of five main components of motor shows. Sure, they're dressed less sexy this year ... but they still look good," says Sitthidage Nanure, 28.
"I've come to the motor show every year for five years, to see new motor technology and, for sure, the girls.
"I know, some people may come to motor shows just to see the girls," says Panisara Sukkrasanti, 23, a Honda display girl. She's happy with her costume for this year's show. She explains the less-revealing number is a lot easier to get about in. "We can look good without looking cheap. Our job is to present the cars to the audience. This year's dress allows me to do that. Not like last year, when I was more worried about showing too much," she concludes.
By Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong
SUNDAY XPRESS
Never been to it myself but heard a lot about the 'models' on display..
PS: This is NOT a post to solicit gratuitous pictures of scantly clad women draped over cars..