The Culture Ministry is pushing for a new ministerial regulation that will ban students under 20 years of age from working as scantily-clad product presenters and dancers at public events.

"The regulation can be issued under the Children Protection Act and it can take immediate effect," said Ladda Tangsupachai, who heads the Ministry's cultural monitoring centre, yesterday.

She said the Culture and Education ministries would meet soon to discuss the regulation.

However, Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an personally disagreed with the proposal. "This affects the rights of other people," he said.

Wijit said he would prefer measures that emphasise an exercise of conscience.

Scantily-clad product presenters and dancers became a contentious issue after Her Majesty the Queen expressed concern over TV images of young girls dancing in provocative dresses at a Buddhist charity event during the annual "Naga fireballs" event in Nong Khai province.

Her Majesty's concern was directed to Culture Minister Khaisri Sri-aroon.

Wijit said yesterday the problem stemmed from the fact provocative dances took place inside a temple.

"Here, the solution should be that temples and authorities overseeing temples must ensure that no more provocative dances take place in monasteries' compounds," he said. And he would forbid any such dances at schools.

Supensri Pueng-Koaksoong, from the Friends of Women Foundation, also questioned the practicality of a ban on students under 20 working as product presenters and dancers. She pointed out that labour laws allowed people who were over 18 to work.

"In any case, I don't think it's fair for society to blame the girls for dressing provocatively. Why don't the organisers and modelling agencies take the flak, too?" Supensri asked.

She said many young girls are lured into such jobs by agencies touting good pay and the chance of becoming famous.

Many Internet users expressed their support yesterday for the Culture Ministry's proposed ban.

"There are many other jobs for the girls to do. Provocative dances are destructive to both the dancers and society," one person said on a web board, echoing the opinions of many others.

Culture Minister Khaisri plans to convene a meeting of relevant authorities, advertisers, ad agencies and media organisations on November 8 in a bid to stop scantily-clad girls being employed at public events.

"Part-time jobs will be made available for students during their school holidays," Ladda said, adding that the Culture Ministry intends to push this issue on to a national agenda to find a long-term solution.

Culture officials in the provinces have already been instructed to work closely with local officials and police to ensure provocative shows no longer take place at temples.

Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya said he will soon discuss the issue with the Culture Ministry.

Phitsanulok Governor Pipat Wongsaroj said he had instructed district chiefs to closely screen entertainment for the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival. "In particular, pornographic shows and provocative dances must be banned," he said.

Religious Affairs Department director general Preecha Kanthiya said police could help ensure propriety at temple fairs. His department and relevant agencies would educate children about Thailand's beautiful culture and stress that young people should not work in scanty clothing.

National Police deputy commissioner General Ajiravid Subarnbhesaj said people staging provocative dances in public could be charged with causing public obscenity.

Meanwhile, Nong Khai governor Supoj Laowansiri said he has ordered administrative officials and police to ban provocative dances, dart games and bump cars at temple fairs. He threatened to transfer any officers who fail to enforce the ban.

Supoj said officials allowed a company to rent space at the temple event in question to show their products without knowing that it would stage the provocative dances. "The company has apologised," he said.