DHAKA: Thailand’s junta chief apologised Thursday for suggesting tourists in bikinis could be more vulnerable to attack, comments which caused an international outcry following the brutal murder of two British holidaymakers.
Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is also prime minister, on Wednesday drew condemnation after questioning the safety of female tourists in the kingdom in off-the-cuff comments to government officials.
‘They think our country is beautiful and is safe so they can do whatever they want, they can wear bikinis and walk everywhere,’ Prayuth said.
But ‘can they be safe in bikinis... unless they are not beautiful?’ The remarks came just two days after the battered bodies of British tourists David Miller, 24 and Hannah Witheridge, 23, were found on the southern resort island of Koh Tao.
In a rare public moment of contrition from the tough-talking army chief, Prayuth said he did not mean to cause distress, reports The Straits Times.
BDST: 1616 HRS, SEP 18, 2014