Report Thai PM Visits Two London Venues to Boost Soft Power

[webfact]

Picture courtesy The Nation

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has embarked on a mission to boost Thai soft power in Europe, visiting a Muay Thai gym and a large Asian superstore in London.

 

Starting her visit at Fight City Gym in Moorgate, she highlighted the global appeal of Muay Thai, noting its strong brand identity. London alone boasts over 50 of these gyms, part of the 4,000 martial arts centres spread across the UK.

 

The government aims to enhance this reach by creating an international Muay Thai curriculum, simplifying visa processes for instructors, supporting the overseas establishment of gyms, and setting certification standards.

 

In the afternoon, Paetongtarn visited the Wing Yip Superstore in Cricklewood, a major UK Asian retail chain. This store imports Thai products worth around 500 million baht annually, including a vast selection of foods.

 

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of making Thai ingredients globally accessible, with a particular focus on processed fruits. She also highlighted the potential for Thai farmers to process surplus fruit, providing year-round income.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-05-23

 

 

[JoePai]

Translate : Shopping trip

[Pouatchee]

maybe she is off to greet the Red Bull killer to offer him a safe return alongside yingluck... they could share the fare for the private jet thus giving a perfect example of soft power (whatever that is)

 

                                                      

 

[newbee2022]

Probably she wants to meet her auntie and talk about the next steps to bring her home.

[hotchilli]

12 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Probably she wants to meet her auntie and talk about the next steps to bring her home.

I think that's just been quashed... 

[ronster]

So no mention of fact she was in Monaco at the F1 . Wonder if she went to check out Moto GP when in UK.

[ignore it]

Also boosted power at Harrods and Selfridges

[portisaacozzy]

On 5/23/2025 at 9:36 AM, JoePai said:

Translate : Shopping trip

Harrods is very near !!!!

[scorecard]

On 5/23/2025 at 9:36 AM, JoePai said:

Translate : Shopping trip

Yep and I hope the trip itinerary allowed plenty of personal shopping days for her entourage between the 'working days'.  

[Thingamabob]

Back to the country where she received her degree, in International Hotel Management, at Surrey University in Guildford.

[Bday Prang]

if i'm not mistaken "wing yip" isn't even Thai, its chinese ,    If she could not find a Thai shop she should have visited one of the many Thai owned "rub and tug" establishments that the capital boasts

[Bday Prang]

12 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

soft power (whatever that is)

scamming and conning people out of their money as opposed to robbery with violence (wherever possible)

[Bday Prang]

19 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

Back to the country where she received her degree, in International Hotel Management, at Surrey University in Guildford.

received as opposed to earned?  sounds about right

[Thingamabob]

1 minute ago, Bday Prang said:

received as opposed to earned?  sounds about right

I should have said earned, my mistake.

[Moonlover]

21 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

if i'm not mistaken "wing yip" isn't even Thai, its chinese ,    If she could not find a Thai shop she should have visited one of the many Thai owned "rub and tug" establishments that the capital boasts

The article does not suggest that it is a 'Thai store'. But as the countries leading supplier of over 4,500 authentic and quality Oriental ingredients, there can be no doubt that it imports a lot of produce from Thailand. She wouldn't be visiting there otherwise would she.

[LivingNThailand]

I don't mean to be critical, but it looks like she is dressed like a little girl.  Not very dignified and  PM looking, in my humble opinion.