INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightSOPA ImagesImage caption
The advert was promoting a new direct route from Brisbane to Bangkok
AirAsia has apologised after its advertising campaign was labelled "harmful" in Australia
The advert containing the phrase "Get off in Thailand" was posted around the city of Brisbane to promote the airline's direct route to
Collective Shout, a grassroots campaign movement against the objectification of women claimed that the advert was promoting sex tourism in
Thailand has over 123,530 sex workers, according to a 2014 UNAids report.Melinda Liszewski, a campaigner at Collective Shout spotted the
adverts on a Brisbane bus and posted the image to social media
She accused the airline of "promoting sex tourism."A spokeswoman for Air Asia told the TheIndianSubcontinent: "AirAsia takes community
feedback extremely seriously and the airline sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused from recent concerns raised
"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." One of the adverts was spotted at Brisbane Airport
It has confirmed on social media that its removal "is a priority."Brisbane City councillor Kara Cook branded the campaign an "absolute
disgrace" and said "it should never have appeared on our city's streets."She wrote on Twitter: "Council should be responsible accountable
for the ads on their buses
"I wrote to the LNP this morning demanding these buses be taken out of circulation
This shouldn't have happened."In response to the criticism, Brisbane City Council said that the Advertising Standards Board regulates
advertising acceptability
It directed complaints to the board
