Huge Curtain to Hide Slum Draws Criticism

The Thai government is coming under fire for erecting a giant plastic sheet to keep visiting world leaders from seeing one of the capital’s unsightly slums during this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

As part of a $13.9-million campaign to beautify Bangkok, a colossal welcome banner has been hung along the Chao Phraya River to hide the slums from guests when they attend a traditional Royal Barge procession Monday. The curtain has been denounced as, at best, a waste of money.

But City Clerk Nathanon Thavisin defended the move, saying, “We want the leaders to be impressed.... The banner will also divert attention from the unsightly view.”