DHAKA: A Thai company owned by consumer goods giant Unilever apologised on Wednesday over a competition that promoted its skin whitening product by offering cash prizes to students, saying it did not intend ‘racial discrimination’.

Citra Thailand said the campaign asking female university students to send in photos of themselves holding its body lotion was aimed at encouraging ‘many Thai consumers who desire to lighten their skin’ to experience the efficacy of its products.

The ‘Citra 3D Brightening Girls Search’, which runs until the end of October, has prizes including cash ‘scholarships’ from a fund of around 100,000 baht.

But posts on social media criticised the company for apparently linking education with whiter skin, which is already widely associated with higher economic status in Thailand because it suggests not having to be exposed to the sun.

BDST: 1756 HRS, OCT 23, 2013
RoR/SRS