To dazzle global audiences with the splendour of Thailand’s Songkran festival, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has teamed up with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for an unprecedented campaign.

 

Scheduled to kick off this April, the campaign aims to thrust Songkran into the limelight, capitalising on its recent nomination for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status.

 

Fronted by a captivating 30-second animated advertisement crafted by BBC Storyworks Commercial Productions in Singapore, the campaign promises to be a visual feast. Running from April 10 to June 15, the ad delves into the profound social and cultural significance of Songkran, featuring a bespoke animated character as the narrative linchpin – an intrepid global traveller sure to resonate with audiences of all ages.

 

Transporting viewers on a vicarious journey through Thailand, the ad showcases a tapestry of vibrant experiences, from traditional customs to delectable cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes to spirited celebrations. This vivid tapestry of Thai culture is set to unfold on the newly launched BBC app, BBC website, and BBC News channel, ensuring maximum exposure to eager audiences worldwide.

 

John Williams, Vice President of Advertising Sales at BBC Studios Global Media & Streaming, expressed his enthusiasm, affirming that BBC News platforms are primed to captivate travel enthusiasts globally. He praised the campaign’s innovative animation and its potential to reignite wanderlust among previous visitors to Thailand.

 

Nithee Seeprae, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the campaign’s importance in spotlighting Songkran’s timeless allure, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

He lauded the collaboration with BBC as pivotal in showcasing Thailand’s myriad attractions to a diverse international audience.

 

In related news, looking ahead to the upcoming Songkran festival, a trade group predicts a boost in restaurant sales during the second quarter, which could potentially surpass pre-pandemic levels, despite the current stagnant economy. Thaniwan Kulmongkol, President of the Thai Restaurant Association, noted that although the second quarter is typically a slow season for the Thai restaurant industry, the Songkran festival is expected to stimulate sales.

 

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Caption: Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-04-11

 

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12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Fronted by a captivating 30-second animated advertisement crafted by BBC Storyworks Commercial Productions in Singapore, the campaign promises to be a visual feast. Running from April 10 to June 15, the ad delves into the profound social and cultural significance of Songkran, featuring a bespoke animated character as the narrative linchpin – an intrepid global traveller sure to resonate with audiences of all ages

Animated for babies because if they screen the real Songkran it would probably put many off.

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Running from April 10 to June 15

 

Just in time to miss this year and be forgotten by next.

 

TiT.

 

EDIT That's 30 seconds of my life I'm not going to get back!

In times where video can now be AI generated this animation certainly looks last century. Bit like most government school classrooms. And speaking of AI thank you again TheThaiger Chat GPT for yet another brilliant article.

51 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Animated for babies because if they screen the real Songkran it would probably put many off.

 

And it's not even good animation, my eight year old nephew has an iPad app that creates using a similarly style.

No expense spared obviously

 

The thing is Songkran makes for some amazing fun filled visuals, sure we know the truth, but for marketing purposes, young'ish soapy randy people spraying water, dancing in the street, cut in some random 2 second hottie shots, makes for a good promo video. Tourists don't really care about the origins & ceremony, they're hot, wet, horny and just want to have fun with water guns.

  

Divert some of that submarine money, hire a pro director and film crew, do it properly. Not this year though, pooch is screwed already.

 

 

It's just a Wet-T-Shirt Competition which can be seen in many seaside resorts in UK.

BBC should wait for next year, it's gonna be soo much better! Promise...

Quote

Dr Surapong cited constraints in both budget and time, tempering expectations for this year’s festivities while promising a grander spectacle in the future

 

Despicable event, I'm staying in as usual for the duration

The bbc  wont run with it unless they can get some sort of diversity inclusivity crap in as thats  all theyve become since.............. a  long time  ago.

2 hours ago, mikebell said:

It's just a Wet-T-Shirt Competition which can be seen in many seaside resorts in UK.

 

yeah

https://songkranparty.com/

28 minutes ago, proton said:

Despicable event, I'm staying in as usual for the duration

 

the reality?

 

 

 

 

 

 

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has teamed up with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) 

Oh, goodie, more Brits on their way to Thailand. 

 

Can we expect more Brits making the headlines now. 

 

 

I remember the Brits at Songkran, down soi Buakhao would buy those high pressure water guns that would give you hearing damage or knock an eye out of your head. 

 

1 hour ago, proton said:

Despicable event, I'm staying in as usual for the duration

 

Surely no worse than the annual ritualistic 31 December / 1 January nonsense, though, from which there, sadly, appears to be no escape anywhere on this great planet of ours. Even if you try and avoid it by staying in as I always do these days, there's still no getting away from the pyromaniac lunatics who take great delight in terrorising their (and your) neighbourhoods by setting off volleys of loud fireworks just after midnight.😡

On 4/12/2024 at 10:05 AM, proton said:

Despicable event, I'm staying in as usual for the duration

I knew as least one miserable ex-pat would pipe up and right on cue....

"Fronted by a captivating 30-second animated advertisement crafted by BBC Storyworks Commercial Productions in Singapore, the campaign promises to be a visual feast. Running from April 10 to June 15, the ad delves into the profound social and cultural significance of Songkran, featuring a bespoke animated character as the narrative linchpin – an intrepid global traveller sure to resonate with audiences of all ages."

Made by the BBC it will be a disaster. They are a company totally out of touch with people. BBC could well stand for Biggest Bulls**t Company.

13 minutes ago, paulikens said:

I knew as least one miserable ex-pat would pipe up and right on cue....

 

Its the ruination of songkran I object to, how many of these water chucking morons knew yesterday was family day and today old peoples day in songkran? Its all been bastardized on the alter of tourism and these clowns with water guns are the sort of visitors I want nothing to do with. They always claim the love Thai culture, while helping to ruin it.

18 hours ago, proton said:

 

Its the ruination of songkran I object to, how many of these water chucking morons knew yesterday was family day and today old peoples day in songkran? Its all been bastardized on the alter of tourism and these clowns with water guns are the sort of visitors I want nothing to do with. They always claim the love Thai culture, while helping to ruin it.

Where do you live in Thailand? Because if it's Pattaya then that's how it is there.  Most other places in Thailand aren't like that. One day and it's done.  If you do live in Pattaya go away during that week SIMPLE!!

11 minutes ago, paulikens said:

Where do you live in Thailand? Because if it's Pattaya then that's how it is there.  Most other places in Thailand aren't like that. One day and it's done.  If you do live in Pattaya go away during that week SIMPLE!!

 

I'd rather hang myself than live in Pattaya, Bkk and they were still water chucking yesterday making it day 4, the stupidity is almost over.

17 hours ago, proton said:

 

I'd rather hang myself than live in Pattaya, Bkk and they were still water chucking yesterday making it day 4, the stupidity is almost over.

Ok.   Well the same applies, Go away while it's on.  Most other places don't have it going on for 4 days and i can imagine it would get tiresome after four days already.     

Just now, paulikens said:

Ok.   Well the same applies, Go away while it's on.  Most other places don't have it going on for 4 days and i can imagine it would get tiresome after four days already.     

P.S. No need to be such a snob about Pattaya either.