Reconciliation mascot reborn, but will it win over the public?

By Rachanon Charoonsak 
The Nation

 

 

The freshly-redesigned mascot for national reconciliation, Nong Kiew Koi, inspired smiles from some as she was shown off on Thursday at Siam Square One. But whether the second try at a mascot that wins public approval achieved it goal is another matter.

 

“I didn’t recognise this mascot at first,” said Ailada Akkrajan, a 24-year-old university student, after she ran into the pink-clad mascot. 

 And that means that the mascot was probably not an effective way to create reconciliation, said Ailanda.

 

 

She urged the Defence Ministry to consider organising activities that people could do together as a means to promote harmony.

 

“And even if it prefers using the mascot, I think the mascot should stick out its pinky That’s the easy way for Thais to recognise it’s about reconciling,” she said. 

 

 

Though Ailada may not quite be impressed, the reconciliation-promotion team from the Defence Ministry has high hopes for the life-sized doll. 

 

“We may not be able to create reconciliation in every person, but we want people to see us as a sign for reconciliation,” said the brand ambassador for Nong Kiew Koi, who dresses just like the mascot.

 

 

The Defence Ministry’s assistant spokesman, Colonel Wanchana Sawatdee, who is widely known for portraying King Naresuan in a movie, joined Nong Kiew Koi on Thursday. 

 

 

He drew crowds and handed out copies of a social contract that the junta has been promoting for national reconciliation. 

 

“I am here in the hope of creating a harmonious environment for the people who come around the area and to introduce Nong Kiew Koi to people,” Wanchana said. 

 

According to him, the National Council for Peace and Order in fact has already completed the first phase of national reconciliation. 

“It’s about reigning in turmoil in the country, which has finally faded away,” he said. 

 

 

Wanchana said the second phase was about national reforms, and the third phase was about the implementation of the country’s national strategy.

 

 Ministry spokesman Lt-General Kongcheep Trantrawanich said Nong Kiew Koi would become the “reconciliation ambassador” to promote love and unity among Thais and create awareness and understanding of the social contract.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30344068

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-27

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

Reconciliation mascot reborn, but will it win over the public?

I really doubt it will. 

 

An election might.

 

Freedom of expression might. 

 

Gaoling corrupt officials at all levels of authority certainly would. 

 

A doll though...nah...not a chance. 

Edited April 26, 20188 yr by Bluespunk

5 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

Reconciliation mascot reborn, but will it win over the public?

And apparently they've taken 'gullible' out of the dictionary too.

 

36 minutes ago, webfact said:

Reconciliation mascot reborn, but will it win over the public?

 

No.

 

It is simply a bad, frankly creepy present for a prepubescent girl, not a symbol for a divided country.

 

It is insulting that the military/Junta/Prayut have such a low opinion of the Thai public

. 

Edited April 26, 20188 yr by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

I didn't realise it was just a great big dolly. I thought it was a costume and someone dressed up in it and walked around. Not that the latter is any better but I was keen to see who the poor bugger was that got roped into having to wear it. I was thinking of driving by on a scooter really fast and unmasking it. Oh well, need another plan for the weekend. In all serious though, not only does this show just a dumb the junta are, it also shows just how dumb they think the general public are. This comment is particularly absurd: “It’s about reigning in turmoil in the country, which has finally faded away”. 

13 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

No.

 

It is simply a bad present for a prepubescent girl, not a symbol for a divided country.

 

It is insulting that the military/Junta/Prayut have such a low opinion of the Thai public

. 

I would have said so too until I observed my (reddish) Thai family promptly donning traditional costumes at Songkran at the behest of the Gov't.

 

I now believe believe that the Thai people would just as equally embrace Mickey and Minnie Mouse costumes if someone snapped their fingers.

 

"Pre-pubescent" as a descriptor would cover many aspects of Thai behaviour.

 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

inspired smiles from some as she was shown off on Thursday at Siam Square One

sure, i smile too when i see something radically stupid

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“I didn’t recognise this mascot at first,” said Ailada Akkrajan, a 24-year-old university student, after she ran into the pink-clad mascot. 

 And that means that the mascot was probably not an effective way to create reconciliation, said Ailanda

Spot on Ailanda.

 

It is outright daft.

3 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

 Gaoling corrupt officials at all levels of authority certainly would. 

 

A doll though...nah...not a chance. 

Sorry, but an early morning should not have two such momentous extremes. 

 

If justice was not multi tiered and punishments were fair and balanced, their would be less graft.  The inactive post does little to deter and executions for hand in the cookie jar offenses would be less than fair.  The pendulum doth swingth too far.

 

The doll is just too creepy.   Somebody really wants to test the percentages of low IQ's and lack civic mindedness of the nation.  Why offer elections and freedom of speech if a creepy inanimate object will suffice ?   Life, liberty and the pursuit of... forget it.   Just give them a stupid looking doll. 

For better results and recognition I suggest having the mascot hand out 500Bhat notes.

 

Or is that being reserved for the eventual election?

A few beers and id give  Nong Kiew Koi something to reconcile with 

I could see a happy ending with the live mascot !

Why doll to reconciliation?

Better good law and say "sorry".

3 hours ago, Odysseus123 said:

I would have said so too until I observed my (reddish) Thai family promptly donning traditional costumes at Songkran at the behest of the Gov't.

 

I now believe believe that the Thai people would just as equally embrace Mickey and Minnie Mouse costumes if someone snapped their fingers.

 

"Pre-pubescent" as a descriptor would cover many aspects of Thai behaviour.

 

 

Why do you assume the thai populace have embraced or will embrace this symbol?

Let's face it a significant amount on the usa embraced trumps ' lets make america great again'.

In uk people believed farage and his brexit tosh.

Seems to me you want thai people to believe this stuff because you get some sort of satisfaction in bagging them for doing so.

Chances are that most thai will have your own lofty levels of understanding and will treat this campaign with the gravitas it warrants.

Edited April 27, 20188 yr by Expatthailover

Is this an attempt at saying, "Yeah, we screwed you over. Get over it, er, I mean 'Sorry!'"

55 minutes ago, nikmar said:

A few beers and id give  Nong Kiew Koi something to reconcile with 

Me too. A boot up the crevice.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“And even if it prefers using the mascot, I think the mascot should stick out its pinky That’s the easy way for Thais to recognise it’s about reconciling,” she said. 

Rrrriiight. I somehow mistook it for the Dr. Evil gesture.

All froth, no bubble in my opinion. . 'Sprinkling coriander leaf of the face' - that is the Thai expression. Basically means window dressing. they'll need more than a mascot!

 

It really is not very reassuring that political reconciliation in this country should hinge on an infantile rubber doll with a huge hollow head and a tasteless pink, heart-patterned dress with puffy sleeves.

An off topic post has been removed.

An offensive post has been removed as well as a pedantic troll post with references to the King. 

The latest cringeworthy example where this country is headed. Another day, another public embarrassment.

57 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said:

It really is not very reassuring that political reconciliation in this country should hinge on an infantile rubber doll with a huge hollow head and a tasteless pink, heart-patterned dress with puffy sleeves.

Lifesize dolls seem to play a big part of this government's "reconciliation" process.

The more mature doll is this photo, who seems to have caught the PM's eye, wears a much more tasteful and becoming dress. A long flowing pink silk evening gown accentuated with purposefully placed polka dots. The pink bouffant hair style adds further class to her presentation. Appropriately she is wearing an amulet necklace to add to her beauty.

This is what the people want to see; not some prancing fluffed up teenybopper.

1 hour ago, Misterwhisper said:

It really is not very reassuring that political reconciliation in this country should hinge on an infantile rubber doll with a huge hollow head and a tasteless pink, heart-patterned dress with puffy sleeves.

Please show a little respect when commenting on the next Mrs Nik.

On 4/26/2018 at 5:55 PM, Samui Bodoh said:

 

No.

 

It is simply a bad, frankly creepy present for a prepubescent girl, not a symbol for a divided country.

 

It is insulting that the military/Junta/Prayut have such a low opinion of the Thai public

. 

Unless of course their target market is under 5 years old. 

Am I the only one seeing a Hentai thing going on here?

On 4/27/2018 at 8:15 AM, yellowboat said:

The doll is just too creepy.   Somebody really wants to test the percentages of low IQ's and lack civic mindedness of the nation.  Why offer elections and freedom of speech if a creepy inanimate object will suffice ?   Life, liberty and the pursuit of... forget it.   Just give them a stupid looking doll.

Quite true. Though creepy is a question of degree - I'm guessing you didn't see her predecessor Miss Pinky... 

 

On 4/27/2018 at 11:14 AM, Misterwhisper said:

It really is not very reassuring that political reconciliation in this country should hinge on an infantile rubber doll with a huge hollow head and a tasteless pink, heart-patterned dress with puffy sleeves.

Indeed. It sounds like a Marx brothers comedy skit!