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No More Exotic Dancers for Thai Troops

You can probably bet that one of the perks members of the Thai military felt they`d be able to enjoy following the recent coup in the country was that they`d be treated like celebrities. This has to some extent been true, as native Thais and visiting foreigners alike have rushed to have their pictures taken with smiling Thai soldiers (Thailand is known as the land of smiles". However, this past Wednesday the ruling military junta, which has already suppressed democracy in the kingdom, pulled the plug on one particular perk.

The ruling military junta in Thailand announced that it would forbid further performances of exotic dancers in skimpy attires for their military troops. For the record, the head of the Thai military is a Muslim. Local newspapers in the country published front-page photos last Tuesday of five female dancers in short shorts, go-go boots and midriff-baring camouflage shirts performing for troops stationed at the Royal Plaza, with military tanks serving as background.

The performance was allegedly organized by a local radio station to entertain the soldiers, but military officials have put their foot down that future efforts would not be tolerated. "I don`t know what the organizer`s intention was but this should be the first and last of this type of dance performance. It`s totally inappropriate," Lieutenant General Palangoon Klaharn said. "It`s also a palace ground."