Bangkok Inside Out banned

Bangkok Inside Out, an A-Z guide to the city by Daniel Ziv and Guy Sharett published in 2004, has been banned because it focused too much on the city's problems, including counterfeiting, gambling, and sex-tourism, according to Ladda Tangsuphachai at the Ministry of Culture. The book provides an irreverent and honest account of contemporary Bangkok life, though clearly it's too honest for the Ministry of Culture. In particular, they objected to the chapter about the Patpong nightlife district and a photograph which shows a topless bar-girl sitting on a man's lap.

The worst part is Ladda's irrational rationale for her censorship: "According to the Constitution, the press has freedom to publish. So, all we can do is to take the problematic books off the shelf." So, she has no power to prevent the publication - because there is free speech, right? - but instead she can pulp the books after publication. (However, I'm pleased to say that some copies are still on sale, at Kinokuniya CentralWorld, Bookazine Silom Complex, and Bookazine CP Tower.)