The Data Beyond Thai Soft Power’s Rhetoric

[webfact]

 

By Thai Enquirer

 

Thai and international media have been abuzz with articles about soft power following the performance of Milli, a talented Thai rapper, at the famous Coachella festival in California. During the performance, Milli played with stereotypes, such as claiming that she does not ride elephants back home, and concluded with a tribute to a favorite local dessert, mango sticky rice, another widely appreciated stunt.

 

Beyond cultural references, the artist has never hidden her negative opinion toward the current government, which once even got her into trouble, and she did not miss the chance to share her views on the international stage either. Speaking of Thailand, she uttered: “the country is good, people are good, our food is good but the government is bood,” implying disapproval.

 

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If soft power is understood as the power of attraction, it is not hard to understand why Milli can be a remarkable source, both within Thailand and beyond the country’s borders. She is young, successful, outspoken, and somehow relatable to the dreams and concerns of younger generations united by music and fandom. Yet soft power “is not [only] built upon sweet music,” a Thai columnist wrote. And that is certainly true.

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/40214/the-data-beyond-thai-soft-powers-rhetoric/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-05-18

 

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[khwaibah]

????

[mtls2005]

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

She is young, successful, outspoken, and somehow relatable to the dreams and concerns of younger generations

 

and she hasn't been thrown in jail yet.

 

Soft power. What a joke. Where they get confused with Taiwan, and thighland.

 

Soon to be the hub of soft power.

 

 

[RandiRona]

Coming next...Thai Ladyboy eating Mangosteen on Elephant!!

[poskat]

thailand's soft power is as ephemeral as the dreamed of high quality tourists.

 

to give you an idea of how thailand is perceived internationally, my aunt in the usa recently asked me if thailand had cable tv.

 

Basically, thailand is known for getting laid and going to the beach.

[JonnyF]

The thing about soft power is that it pertains to international relations.

 

The problem we have here is, that the only people interested in Milli eating a Mango with sticky rice are the Thais themselves. It was in Thailand where everyone spoke about it and rushed out to buy the dish, not elsewhere.

 

Most of the world has never heard of Milli or her mango munching. Thailand's soft power is like an echo chamber, and the enclosed space where the sound reverberates is limited to Thailand.

[Misterwhisper]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai and international media have been abuzz with articles about soft power following the performance of Milli

No, international media have not been "abuzz" with high tales of "Thai soft power". Thai media have. And incessantly so... because "soft power" is the new "hub".

 

International media reported on Coachella and its artists, included Milli, as they ALWAYS DO. But they didn't care one iota about "Thai soft power" in the context of their coverage. "Thai soft power" is of no consequence for them. It's only Thai media that raps on and raps on (pun intended) about it.

 

What many international media did indeed report on, though, was the fact that Milli has been the target of Thailand's PM for being critical of the country's current government.

[SmartyMarty]

4 hours ago, poskat said:

thailand's soft power is as ephemeral as the dreamed of high quality tourists.

 

to give you an idea of how thailand is perceived internationally, my aunt in the usa recently asked me if thailand had cable tv.

 

Basically, thailand is known for getting laid and going to the beach.

Anyone living in America usually has no clue about the rest of the world.

[mtls2005]

51 minutes ago, SmartyMarty said:

Anyone living in America usually has no clue about the rest of the world.

 

"Usually"?

 

You mean other than the 45 million first generation immigrants?

 

And the 20 million second generation immigrants?

 

This is the sort off the cuff statement that USUALLY marks the writer as having no clue.

 

 

[spidermike007]

The level of desperation at this time is so high, that they will claim anything that resembles any sort of good PR, praise, or recognition, as a great accomplishment. It is as if it is in inverse to the stunning lack of accomplishments of this highly toxic, and nearly useless administration. And the media here, in their sycophantic state of mind, will do or say anything to praise the leadership. It all amount to less than zero. 

 

Anything the so called leaders, or media, do or say is so laden with fiction, and so lacking credibility either here, or especially on the world stage, where Thailand is considered less relevant than ever, unfortunately. 

 

Soft power. Is that really the best you can do? It would be amusing, if it were not so reaking with desperation. 

 

 

[madmitch]

When I first saw the term "soft power" on this forum a few weeks ago I had to Google it as it meant nothing to me.

 

Anyone else?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai and international media have been abuzz with articles about soft power following the performance of Milli,

Thailand milks anything that might sell...

 

[Misterwhisper]

5 hours ago, poskat said:

to give you an idea of how thailand is perceived internationally, my aunt in the usa recently asked me if thailand had cable tv.

May I suggest you ask your aunt to point out North Korea (or Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. etc.) on a world map and see how she fares.

 

Then of course also ask her whether - in her opinion - Germans wear lederhosen at all times and enjoy yodeling.

 

An interesting result also could potentially emerge if you inquire with her with how many countries the United States share a border.

 

In other words (and with all due respect), I hardly believe your aunt is a good indicator as per how Thailand is perceived internationally.

 

 

 

[SmartyMarty]

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

 

"Usually"?

 

You mean other than the 45 million first generation immigrants?

 

And the 20 million second generation immigrants?

 

This is the sort off the cuff statement that USUALLY marks the writer as having no clue.

 

 

That still leaves 300 million. Geddit?