Come one come all! Thailand's tourism top brass in show of confidence

 

Picture: INN

 

Thailand's tourism "A-listers" turned out in force in Bangkok yesterday to kick off a campaign aimed at creating confidence among tourists for the Christmas and New Year period. 

 

Up on the stage in front of a huge banner was immigration chief Lt Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn flanked by tourism police chief Lt-Gen Theeraphon Khupatanon.

 

On BJ's right was president for the occasion Weerasak  Kowsurat, Minister of Tourism and Sports, dressed in fetching yellow. 

 

On his right was an unnamed person who looked more like the "Grinch of Christmas" as he had unfortunately forgotten to smile. 

 

These were flanked by a couple of attractive Thai ladies posing as Santa's helpers and a couple of young men in flimsy white beards who barely made the frame. 

 

Completing the line-up was a wide-eyed puppet of a policeman and three black-clad puppeteers. 

 

The rank of the puppet was not mentioned in the INN Network article. 

 

The backdrop proclaimed in small English letters: "Tourists' Confidence Building  during Christmas and New Year Festival for Sustainable Tourism Economic Development" (or TCB during CNY for STED). 

 

The message was repeated in slightly larger and more prominent Chinese words.

 

Following this Khun Weerasak went walkabout among the throngs - 1,500 officials and volunteers from the Metropolitan police, drugs suppression, immigration, the Ministry and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration had been invited to the party.

 

There even appeared to be some tourists though this could not immediately be confirmed. 

 

Also at the gathering was national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda who was seen giving some words of advice to his underling Big Joke. 

 

Source: INN

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-12-19

 

Picture: INN

 

Picture: INN

 

Picture: INN

Good to see that even the puppet has it's para wings!

 

It's this sort of attention to detail which turns a good campaign into a really great campaign!

Edited December 19, 20187 yr by JAG

Can I have one of santa,s little helpers please.........????

5 minutes ago, JAG said:

Good to see that even the puppet has it's para wings!

 

It's this sort of attention to detail which turns a good campaign into a really great campaign!

As does the manikin to the right ????

Campaigns are great if done correctly, just what tourists need. Personally if I saw a lot of uniforms amassed to address issues such as corruption, drugs, violence (towards) and safety for tourists, it wouldn't do much for my confidence as a first or second time visitor.

 

Until those four points (and many more not mentioned) above are addressed, these campaigns are only covering up the core issues which will remain dormant only until the next spectacular against tourists comes to light. I know that sounds very pessimistic from me, but truth answers to nobody no matter how you try to hide it.

14 minutes ago, webfact said:

posing as Santa's helpers

Santa is so impressed, he's gonna empty his sack right there on stage.

Why have the Joke in the photo, as he is waging a 1 man campaign against foreigners.

The only people impressed by the amassed collection uniforms with suitable bling is others from the same department. They have not got with the the rest of the world (their customers) that this does not inspire confidence.

36 minutes ago, JAG said:

Good to see that even the puppet has it's para wings!

 

It's this sort of attention to detail which turns a good campaign into a really great campaign!

He's the one I would consider trusting, though the uniform throws me off!

Edited December 19, 20187 yr by PatOngo

24 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Why have the Joke in the photo, as he is waging a 1 man campaign against foreigners.

He's waging a campaign against ILLEGAL foreigners, sorry if you feel yourself targeted by his campaign, as it becomes clear that you have an axe to grind with the man in question

2 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

He's waging a campaign against ILLEGAL foreigners, sorry if you feel yourself targeted by his campaign, as it becomes clear that you have an axe to grind with the man in question.

There's non so blind as those impressed (dazzled) by a shiny uniform...

The fella on the left looks like he has rabies

12 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

He's waging a campaign against ILLEGAL foreigners, sorry if you feel yourself targeted by his campaign, as it becomes clear that you have an axe to grind with the man in question

The man in question is both a puppet of someone high up and out to make a name for himself nothing more nothing less!

 

 

How many real dummies in the photo below???

 

 

Wonder what the family of 3 that got beat up in Hua Hin a few years ago would have to say about this...

 

Would they actually consider coming back even if their flight was paid?

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"Tourists' Confidence Building  during Christmas and New Year Festival for Sustainable Tourism Economic Development" (or TCB during CNY for STED). 

That is all well and good and we believe everything because random abbreviations are impressive and Thai officials never lie (or AWG and WBE because RAAI and TONL).

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Tourists' Confidence Building  during Christmas and New Year Festival for Sustainable Tourism Economic Development

Has a real ring to it - So much more catchy than Amazing Thailand.

55 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

He's waging a campaign against ILLEGAL foreigners, sorry if you feel yourself targeted by his campaign, as it becomes clear that you have an axe to grind with the man in question

May you never accidentally miss a form and may they never change your visa so you no longer meet the requirements.

 

Truth is, you are now and always will be one Somchai and a pen stroke away from being shown the door regardless of what a “good farang” you think you are. 

3 minutes ago, dcnx said:

May you never accidentally miss a form and may they never change your visa so you no longer meet the requirements.

 

Truth is, you are now and always will be one Somchai and a pen stroke away from being shown the door regardless of what a “good farang” you think you are. 

From the reports of the people involved in the arrests, it is very doubtful that you will be deported when accidentally missing a form, and when they change the rules in a way that I no longer meet the requirements I will have to move on.

 

Same as I expect from foreigners in my home country that don't meet immigration requirements, or are you also fine with that?

 

The truth is that it's their country, and if you can't agree with the rules, you should not be here, and I'm pretty confident that I will not be shown the door by one Somchai and a pen stroke if i adhere to the rules.

 

 

 

 

Nothing says holiday spirit more than beautiful elves accompanying creepy old men.  Just had the urge to see where my wallet was.  

And just how will that photo have any impact on attracting first time tourists to come to Thailand or to re-consider visiting Thailand?

 

Beautiful girls giving garlands etc., also not good

 

Some clever thinking for photos about safety might have been more appropriate.

 

 

2 hours ago, janclaes47 said:

He's waging a campaign against ILLEGAL foreigners, sorry if you feel yourself targeted by his campaign, as it becomes clear that you have an axe to grind with the man in question

I have the strange idea the constant razzias are definitely not liked by anyone, but specially the tourists and expats, the legal ones.

The press outside Thailand might eventually hook into this news, with more negative results

Don't you think so?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The backdrop proclaimed in small English letters: "Tourists' Confidence Building  during Christmas and New Year Festival for Sustainable Tourism Economic Development" (or TCB during CNY for STED). 

 

The message was repeated in slightly larger and more prominent Chinese words.

What does Christmas have to do with China?

Is that a dummy or puppet and what's that thing the guy 2nd from the right holding. 

Nothing wrong with promoting tourism but does this stuff go beyond Thailand's borders?

2 minutes ago, zydeco said:

What does Christmas have to do with China?

They sell more plastic crap than the rest of the world put together at Christmas.i think it was about tourists which will include the Chinese over the Xmas period and not just farang.

2 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

How many real dummies in the photo below???

 

 

6 dummies,4 santas and pol maj general somchai short arse.

Noticed many of the U.K. newspapers are advertising cheap holiday packages 2019 for Cambodia and Vietnam no mention of Thailand 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Tourists' Confidence Building  during Christmas and New Year Festival for Sustainable Tourism Economic Development

Catchy slogan!

40 minutes ago, hansnl said:

I have the strange idea the constant razzias are definitely not liked by anyone, but specially the tourists and expats, the legal ones.

The press outside Thailand might eventually hook into this news, with more negative results

Don't you think so?

 

I don't know what you have in mind, but presuming you are in Thailand on a legal basis, have you or anyone you know either tourist or legal expat, ever experienced any inconvenience caused by any of the multiple razzia's so far?