Weeks after her concert in Bangkok, Lady Gaga has garnered fresh criticism in Thailand.
The country's culture ministry has filed an official police complaint over the "offensive" use of the Thai flag during her May 25 concert, which drew approximately 50,000 fans.
At one point during the show, the American singer — who accessorized a provocative bikini costume with a traditional Thai headdress — perched on a motorcycle with a Thai flag tied to it.
Government officials deemed the act "not appropriate" and said it "hurt the feelings of the Thai people."
Somchai Seanglai, culture ministry permanent secretary, said his department sent Thai police a summary of all public complaints it received about Gaga's appearance in Bangkok. Though the ministry does not intend to seek legal action against the singer, he said, the formal complaint was to demonstrate its dissatisfaction.
This handout picture released by the Lady Gaga Tour shows US pop diva Lady Gaga performing on stage at a stadium in Bangkok late on May 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO
Upon her arrival in Bangkok, Gaga sparked ire when she posted a quip via Twitter about her desire to buy a fake Rolex watch at one of Thailand's street markets. Some considered the comment disparaging of the country.
Controversy has dogged Gaga throughout the Asian leg of her ongoing world tour. Various groups in cities like Seoul, Manila and Jakarta staged protests against her. She and her Indonesian concert organizers were forced to cancel the sold-out Jakarta date after an extremist religious group threatened violence from within the show if the performance proceeded.
Nonetheless, her appearances also drew thousands of fans, some of whom came to her shows wearing over-the-top garb inspired by the outrageous pop diva.
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