Go-go dancers are now a no-no, Thailand coup leaders declare

BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s military coup leaders may be losing their sense of humor.

Five days after instructing soldiers to keep smiling, the ruling council has decided there is a limit to how much fun soldiers should have.

The council ruled Wednesday that sexy dancers are forbidden near tanks, and tourists are no longer permitted to handle weapons when posing for photographs with troops deployed in Bangkok.

The military toppled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup Sept. 19. As soon as the danger of violence subsided, the troops mingled freely with residents and foreigners and their tanks became a tourist attraction. Hundreds had photos snapped of themselves posing with the soldiers.

At first, the ruling generals turned a blind eye when a troupe of go-go dancers with naked midriffs and sexy camouflaged pants performed in front of the tanks. They were followed the next day by dancers in traditional attire.

But Wednesday, Deputy Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niempradit said the go-go dancing was “not appropriate.”

“We have to maintain the seriousness of the coup,” said Lt. Gen. Palangoon Klaharn, a military spokesman. “The police should ensure that provocative performances are kept at a distance from soldiers while they are on duty.”