18 OCTOBER 2002
Christina Aguilera’s raunchy video for her hit single Dirrty has been banned from local TV in Thailand, but the controversy isn’t over the near-naked costuming – the pop diva alternates between bum-baring chaps and a microscopic miniskirt – nor the sweaty bump-and-grind dance moves. The criticism stems from a set of posters included in the Mad Max-like set in the background of the clip.

The southeast Asian country’s government has aimed their complaints at messages that read “Thailand’s sex tourism” and “Young underage girls” in Thai on the walls behind a boxing ring in the video – and have said they will take further action if the promo is found to be damaging to Thailand’s reputation.

A local representative of Christina’s label, BMG, confirmed the controversial video won’t be screened in Thailand. “We at the company feel we should not think of business only. We have to think about our country as well,” said the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Christina has reflected on her ever-increasing bad-girl image and the provocative outfits that seem to go with it. “I don't sit at home with my chaps on and knickers showing – unless I’m with my man,” she says. “And I always run stuff past Mum to check that it doesn’t break the taste barrier.”