No sex, please - we're holding an economic summit

[T_i_B]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/10/18/wbang18.xml&sSheet=/portal/2003/10/18/ixportal.html&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=253832

Bangkok will not be the first or last developing city to beautify itself for a major international summit, but it has more air-brushing to do than most.

On Thursday a banner 500 yards long and four storeys high was unfurled to shield an unsightly slum from the Apec leaders while they watch a royal barge procession on the Chao Phraya River. Prostitutes have been arrested by the hundred. Some 900 Cambodian beggars have been flown home in a move criticised by human rights groups, while the Thai homeless have been shifted away from locations near summit venues and hotels.

Hundreds of members of organisations who might arrange protests against the world's largest trade co-operative group, with a combined population of more than 2.5 billion and gross domestic product of $19 trillion (£11 trillion), have been placed on a visa blacklist. If they do sneak in, they will face a 10,000-strong security force.

Instead of shouting voices and music blaring from go-go bars, Bangkok's sex and shopping district echoed with the whoosh of passing traffic - and complaints about the government crackdown for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

[Dover]

1. Sounds like they are using the Mayor Giuliani 'cleanup plan'

On Thursday a banner 500 yards long and four storeys high was unfurled to shield an unsightly slum from the Apec leaders while they watch a royal barge procession on the Chao Phraya River. Prostitutes have been arrested by the hundred. Some 900 Cambodian beggars have been flown home in a move criticised by human rights groups, while the Thai homeless have been shifted away from locations near summit venues and hotels.

[AndyTiedye]

2. It would really be too bad if...

...it got windy that day. A banner that size would make a pretty good sail.

[pfitz59]

3. San Diego did this during 1996 Repuke Convention.

Shipped the homeless to Arizona and Nevada. Locked up the hooks.