APEC Conference Reporters showered with free beer, foot massages (prepare to choke on hypocrisy)

Canada.com ^ | Associated Press

[jmcclain19]

Report: APEC journalists lavished with free beer, foot massages in Thailand

BANGKOK (AP) - Reporters at a summit of world leaders have been treated to more than a taste of Thailand's renowned hospitality - they've been served thousands of dollars worth of free beer and massages, a report said Tuesday.

Journalists covering the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum are being given food and beverage vouchers worth 3,000 baht, about $76 US, in press kits and some have exchanged them for dozens of cans of beer, The Nation newspaper reported. A salesperson at the Bangkok's Queen Sirikit Convention Centre said about 170,000 baht, or $4,309 US, worth of beer was given away Sunday, the first day of media registration, before staff were told to stop handing it out.

Thousands of journalists and media workers are expected at the meeting which will bring together 21 leaders, including U.S. President George W. Bush, China's Hu Jintao, Russia's Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

In addition to complimentary food and beverages, journalists are having foot massages from 10 traditional masseuses, who will offer their services in 30-minute sessions.

The government is paying the masseuses 500 baht ($13 US) to treat at least 10 customers per day and another 50 baht for each additional customer up to a maximum of 1,000 baht.

[jmcclain19]

unreal

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