Controversy of the week: Bangkok's calendar girls

Nothing gets Thailand’s masses stirred like a controversy involving alcohol, hot women and the government. Case in point: This week’s nationwide outrage -- and delight -- over a super sexy calendar sponsored by a Thai beer brand featuring women wearing nothing more than body paint.

The Public Health Ministry is threatening to take legal action against Thai corporation Singha for promoting its Leo Beer brand in the calendar, as in Thailand it’s illegal to advertise alcohol in print media. Meanwhile a Thai women's group says linking alcohol and sexy women is wrong.

"Many brewers exploit women as sex objects for the sake of their business," Friends of Women foundation manager Chadet Chaowilai was quoted by Thai English-language daily, the Bangkok Post. "Such negative tendencies have contributed to the problem of sexual violence against women."

But while the pics are incredibly sexy, it appears most people are more upset with the perceived disregard of the law. An editorial in the Bangkok Post says: "Singha Corporation's claim that its contract with a publisher to produce a saucy 2010 calendar featuring nude models painted with the names and logos of its products had been made before the Alcohol Beverage Control Act 2008 took effect is as thin and flimsy as the paint on the otherwise naked flesh. It scarcely covers the need for bare bodies nor the company's intention."

Since the controversy first flared earlier this week, a member of the family that owns Singha has resigned from her position as an associate within the prime minister’s secretary team after being seen distributing the calendars from the trunk of her BMW to officials, security guards and newsmen.

The calendar was produced by celebrity supermodel and business woman Metinee 'Luk Khed' Kingpayome, who tells CNNGo she was surprised by the government’s reaction.

“I never thought it would cause such a controversy,” she says. “It’s simply just a calendar with beautiful women in it. No different than any other magazine you see selling on the news stands.”

Metinee has been creating calendars for over five years and says her motivation to create this one was quite simple.

“I've been in the modeling business for 18 years now. I've grown from being "just a model" into a creative producer, producing a TV show in 2006, and calendars and books. I love fashion and beautiful people and I love to show their beauty through my eyes.”

To see more of the calendar pics and learn more about the controversy, check out blog Absolutelybangkok.com.