Thai soldiers are sent to cover up twerking singer and count the number of hip thrusts she performed following criticism from the country's prime minister
- Country singer Lumyai Hai Thongkam was performing in Surat Thani on Tuesday
- PM General Prayuth Chan-ocha has criticised her dancing as 'inappropriate'
- Record label chief Prachakchai Navarat said short jeans are only 'outfits we have'
An 18-year-old Thai popstar was forced to cover up by soldiers during a performance after they were sent to 'check for appropriateness' and count the number of times she twerked.
Country singer Lumyai Hai Thongkam was given a jacket to conceal herself during Tuesday's show in Surat Thani, a port city often visited by Western tourists on their way to the popular Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan islands.
In recent days the country's prime minister, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, has repeatedly attacked Lumyai's suggestive dancing as an inappropriate 'problem' introduced by foreigners.
According to Khao Sod, he said: 'Shouldn't we retain Thainess?'
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Pictured: Lumyai Hai Thongkam, who has attracted criticism from Thai prime minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha for her provocative dancing
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General Prayuth Chan-ocha asked: 'Shouldn't we retain Thainess?' during an attack on the 18-year-old dancer's racy performances. Pictured: One of the starlet's shows
Unamused: Thailand's prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has repeatedly criticised Lumyai's dancing in recent days
Lumyai was forced to cover up during Tuesday's show. Pictured: An earlier show
But the star said the prime minister was a 'funny guy', adding: 'I'm not overthinking his comments'. Pictured: Lumyai during a different performance
He added: 'The way she dances, she's about to show all her genitals. I don't want to talk about it, people will say I'm crazy. But I want everyone to help solve this problem.'
After the show on Tuesday, Lumyai performed again on Wednesday - where soldiers stood by to count whether she twerked nine times or three, as she had promised to.
She also wore a denim jacket rather than her customary gold bikini.
But the star said the prime minister was a 'funny guy', adding: 'I'm not overthinking his comments'.
The star explained: 'My work on stage is a performance. There might be some misunderstandings, but I believe that there's two sides to every coin'. Above, one of her shows
She went on: 'It doesn't affect my work. To my fans, I want to ask everyone to consume media responsibly.
'My work on stage is a performance. There might be some misunderstandings, but I believe that there's two sides to every coin'.
The owner of her record label, Prachakchai Navarat, said of the military intervention: 'We already said we would adjust her costume'.
Uniformed soldiers were sent to cover the dancer during a performance in Surat Thani. Picture: A stock photo of Thai troops
He added: 'She's wearing short jeans. That's all the outfits we have. I didn't think we would have to change into something that covers up too much.'
Thai country music - called luk thung - has long featured provocative and sexually charged performances, but up-and-coming Lumyai has attracted particular criticism by junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Her breakout song, Phu Sao Kha Lor (Party Girl), has been viewed hundreds of millions of times.
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