Budget carrier AirAsia pulls ‘Get off in Thailand’ ads in Australia

Budget carrier AirAsia pulls ‘Get off in Thailand’ ads in Australia

The response came after heavy criticism on social media.

The advertisement was posted prominently around the Australian city of Brisbane to promote the airline’s direct route to Bangkok. (Pic from Coralie Alison Twitter)
BANGKOK:
Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia Group Bhd said on Tuesday it is dropping advertisements of flights between Brisbane and Bangkok, after drawing criticism on social media that they used a double entendre that promoted sex tourism.

The response comes after Twitter users posted photos of AirAsia ads on a bus and Brisbane airport reading, “Get off in Thailand.”

One Twitter user wrote: “a dog whistle promoting #sextourism brought to you by low budget low ethics airline @AirAsia”.

“AirAsia confirms the campaign has since ended and our media partners have had the last of these advertisements removed,” the carrier said in a statement.

The campaign was aimed to promote Bangkok as a destination, “for example, get off the bus get…off the aircraft in Bangkok” the statement said.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.