Hotel criticised for Thai prostitution comment

The hotel has angered a member of Thai parliament

US-based luxury hotel chain Marriott International Inc has provoked outrage in Thailand by stating that all Thai women in shorts or sleeveless blouses are prostitutes.

The comment was posted on the company website in a section on dress tips for visitors to the kingdom.

They must change the wording and make an apology

Paveena Hongsakul

"No Thai men wear shorts," tourists are told.

"Among women, only prostitutes wear sleeveless blouses and/or shorts."

The statement angered Paveena Hongsakul, an opposition member of parliament.

She told Reuters the comment was an affront to Thai women and she would submit a letter urging the hotel to apologise and change the message.

Removal promised

"This is unacceptable," she said. "They've made it sounds like all Thai women are prostitutes. They must change the wording and make an apology."

The hotel chain has promised to delete the tip.

Jeff Crowe, marketing director of the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Bangkok, told Reuters the hotel was sorry about what happened and would change the content "as quickly as possible".

"Clearly that is inaccurate and we've got to get it fixed immediately," he said.