ASIA SEXY

Thai, Burmese and U.S. bands rock Paragon from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 14 at the first MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) concert in Thailand. The event, sponsored by MTV Thailand, the MTV Europe Foundation and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is part of the ongoing MTV EXIT campaign to raise awareness about and prevent human trafficking.

Headlining the concert is the Boston-based band The Click Five, winners of the Knockout Award at the 2008 MTV Asia Awards. Thai artists Potato, Thaitanium, Slot Machine and Brand New Sunset are supporting the campaign with performances at the concert.

These musicians are being joined by four Burmese artists - Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein, Ya Tha, Saw Phoe Quar, and Kyet Pha - performing in Thailand for the first time to raise awareness about trafficking among the estimated 1 million Burmese migrants in Thailand.

Volunteers at the concert organise distributing cards in Thai and Burmese with hotline numbers to call to report incidents of trafficking or learn more about human trafficking.

"On-the-ground events like the ones we're supporting in Bangkok, Phnom Penh and elsewhere in Asia aim to break the cycle of trafficking," said USAID Mission Director Olivier Carduner. "By working with MTV, NGOs and governments throughout Asia, we can teach young people to protect themselves by learning to identify the tactics used by traffickers and those seeking to exploit."

The Click Five said it was honored to join the Bangkok concert and promote MTV EXIT. "The campaign to stop human trafficking addresses a fundamental human right that affects all members of our human race," the Click Five said in a release. "We look forward to playing our music, meeting new friends and doing whatever we can to help in this important cause."

MTV EXIT is a project of the MTV Europe Foundation, a London-based registered charity. The drive in Asia is in partnership with USAID. MTV Europe and USAID are planning on-the-ground events throughout Asia in 2009 as part of their on-air and online (www.mtvexit.org) drive to reduce human trafficking.

MTV EXIT's programming and events in Europe and Asia have included documentaries presented by Angelina Jolie, Tata Young, Lucy Liu, Rain and other Asian celebrities, a music video collaboration with Radiohead, and concerts with artists such as R.E.M. and Radiohead.

"Music can be an incredible force for change, and through this special concert and the other events that will be held across Asia, MTV EXIT will empower young people and their peers to combat trafficking," said MTV EXIT Campaign Director Simon Goff.

MTV EXIT television programming is produced rights-free and is available free of charge to all broadcasters and organizations.