Topless painter stirs morality debate in Thailand

Bangkok: A popular talent hunt show in Thailand that showed a woman contestant painting on a canvas with her bare breasts has sparked controversy, with the Culture Ministry seeking an explanation from the producers.

The Culture Ministry expressed shock over the content shown on national television in an episode of 'Thailand has Got Talent' on Sunday.

Culture Minister Sukumol Khunploem said today that there must be limits to artistic expression after the episode showed the contestant painting on a canvas with her bare breasts.

A popular talent hunt show in Thailand showed a woman contestant painting on a canvas with her bare breasts.

Expressing shock, she said the ministry will meet the organisers of the TV show to get an explanation.

The show was a recording and not a live broadcast and the organisers could edit "inappropriate" content, she said, while pointing out that the programme was televised when children were likely to be watching.

A clip uploaded to YouTube shows a contestant removing her shirt and bra, pouring paint on her bare breasts and rubbing her body on a canvas.

One of the three judges said the act was inappropriate to the country's culture and expressed her disappointment with many of the audience who voiced their support for the 23-year-old contestant.

Two other judges said the woman passed the audition, saying the act was another type of artistic expression.

The contestant told the judges that if she painted normally there would be nothing special.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)