Low budget airline AirAsia has been widely condemned for its ad campaign which is said to be promoting sex tourism in Thailand.
The ad which contains the phrase, “Get Off in Thailand” was meant to promote the airline’s direct route to Bangkok.
Why ‘get off’ at home when you can ‘get off’ in Thailand – buying women there is so much cheaper! @AirAsia #sextourism #sextrade pic.twitter.com/wdmWod8TeF
— Melinda TankardReist (@MelTankardReist) March 22, 2019
However, since “get off” is also a slang term for “orgasm” or “masturbation”, and not to mention that Thailand is quite known for its sex industry, Australians have blasted the airline on social media for its insensitive ads.
The ad which has since been removed, was posted around the city of Brisbane, across buses, airport and other parts of the city, and it drew widespread criticism on social media, where it was branded “sexist” and accused of promoting sex tourism.
“Get off in Thailand” a dog whistle promoting #sextourism brought to you by low budget low ethics airline @AirAsia
Bangkok is a hub of sexual exploitation of women & children & 250,000 western male sex tourists visit Thailand every year. Now its just so convenient! #Shame pic.twitter.com/gykb9a2oPI
— Melinda (@MelLiszewski) March 22, 2019
Melinda Liszewski, a campaigner at Collective Shout – a grassroots campaign movement against the objectification of women, called the ads a “dog whistle to sex tourists” on Twitter.
Brisbane City councilor Kara Cook expressed on Twitter, saying that “this shouldn’t have happened.”
Council should be responsible & accountable for the ads on their buses.
The LNP simply fobbed off residents concerns to an external agency.
I wrote to the LNP this morning demanding these buses be taken out of circulation.
This shouldn’t have happened https://t.co/eZDNXVtGO4
— Kara Cook (@Kara__Cook) March 25, 2019
A spokesperson from AirAsia has confirmed that the company has officially ended the campaign and all ads have been removed.
“AirAsia takes community feedback extremely seriously and the airline sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused from recent concerns raised,” BBCthe rep told .
“AirAsia can confirm the advertising campaign has ended and we instructed our media partners to have the advertising removed as soon as possible today from all locations.”
Featured Image: Collective Shout
