Thailand: Uproar Over "Improper" AIDS Logo

An alternative logo for next year's World AIDS Conference featuring a male elephant in a sexual position has rankled Thailand's health authorities, who call it "improper" for Thai culture. The controversial logo appeared on flags produced by community groups that were displayed at the ninth National AIDS Conference at the Muang Thong Thani Convention Center yesterday until health authorities ordered them taken down. "The logo fails to convey any meaning," said Dr. Sombat Tanpra-sertsuk, of the Diseases Control Department. "It doesn't show the male elephant wearing a condom at all," quipped Tanpra-sertsuk. Community groups say the logo was aimed at creating fun and attracting attention to community programs. "I didn't see any obscenity in our logo. We have the same kind of images on several temple walls," said Chumpol Apisuk, a member of the conference's community committee.

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