Thailand to publish cultural ‘Dos-and-Don’ts’

THAILAND, offended by a poster advertising a US film that featured its director sitting on the head of a Buddha image, is drafting a ‘Dos-and-Don'ts’ booklet for foreigners, reports Reuters. "We are combining cultural tips for foreigners from various places into a book, which will use easy-to-understand wordings and be distributed through various channels," vice minister for culture, Weerasak Kowsurat told Reuters. The manual will reportedly be launched next year. "We believe such a booklet will help reduce cultural conflicts between foreigners and their Thai hosts," Weerasak said. "They can be aware of what we do and don't here, but it is up to them if they will believe and follow what we've suggested," he added. (Lucy Siebert)