Bangkok, October 31:

Thailand today banned people younger than 20 from performing sexy dances in public places, after the nation’s queen expressed shock at an erotic performance held at a Buddhist temple.

“As they are under the age of consent, they cannot conduct such performances,” the head of the government’s Cultural Surveillance Centre,

Ladda Thangsuppachai told AFP. “They could be easily lured into the sex trade,” she warned.

The announcement to this effect came after Queen Sirikit yesterday voiced her concern to the Culture Ministry about young girls in skimpy clothes who she saw dancing on television at a festival at a Buddhist temple in the northeastern province of Nongkhai.

So-called “coyote dancers” who dress in sexy outfits and perform provocative routines are often hired for public events or to promote products for companies.