Govt Admits Fashion City Failure

[george]

Govt admits Fashion City failure

BANGKOK: -- The government admitted today that its flagship 'Bangkok:Fashion City' project was proving unsuccessful, with a key Industry Ministry official conceding that the 18-month timeframe was insufficient for transforming the capital into a global fashion hub.

The comments by Mr. Panpree Phahitthanukorn, the Vice Minister for Industry, follow a meeting of the Bangkok Fashion City committee last week, in which the committee noted that little progress was being made on any of the project's 11 programmes.

Blaming the failure on lack of coordination and on terms of reference considered too strict by the private sector, Mr. Panpree warned that if the private sector organizers of any of the programmes could not come up with viable plans, their contracts would be terminated and they would be forced to return government funding.

Under the original government plans, Bangkok was to have been transformed into a leading Asian fashion centre in 2008.

Today Mr. Pramode Vidtayasuk, the Director-General of the Department of Industrial Promotion and head of the Bangkok Fashion City Office, acknowledged that it now looked as if the government's target would not be met.

Nonetheless, he expressed optimism that continuous cash injections into the scheme would eventually produce a chance of domestic consumer behaviour, with more consumers turning to Thai fashion products.

--TNA 2005-06-08

[sriracha john]

OOHHH...NOOOOO..... don't look now, but it seems one of Thailand's famous "hubs" is broken...

[Greer]

It's good of the governement to try to promote projects that may eventually result in Thailand becoming a regional centre for fashion or for other important industries.

I truly do think it is certainly forward thinking - but that's also part of the problem - you simply can't force a country to be acknowledged by those outside as a regional centre, or hub, for something when you do it from inside!

Governement subsidies can certainly help to support flegling industries, but realistic consideration must be given to the timetable necessary. An industry such as fashion or other creative arts will not spring up overnight, and certainly not because we wish it to do so.

Creative industries take time to establish, time to grow, time to achieve world or regional recognition. A timetable may be put in place to establish realistic goals, such as the setting up of proper training schools or diploma courses for those wishing to express themselves in a creative medium, but it is not realistic to expect to be a regional hub within such a short time.

Trying to make it happen in too short a timeframe simply results in the loss of face for the country when the goal cannot be achieved, and none of us want to see that occur.

Give it time...it will happen...the Thai people are inherently very creative and artistic.

[Soi Mongrel]

The Thai people are inherently very creative and artistic. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...when they're not either sleeping, eating, or copying someone else's ideas.

[Greer]

yes, but ....CREATIVELY copying someone elses ideas...

Seriously though...I work in the television industry and the Thais do make some of the most creative commercials in the region - unfortunately they also do make some of the worst soapies I have ever seen, but that's nothing special...UK, USA and Australia can't be left out of that criticism..!

Edited June 8, 2005 by Greer

[ovenman]

Nonetheless, he expressed optimism that continuous cash injections into the scheme would eventually produce a chance of domestic consumer behaviour, with more consumers turning to Thai fashion products.

I like this bit about how they will nonetheless keep throwing money at this project on the off chance that maybe some good will come of it. No doubt there were promises made about lining various pockets. Wouldn't want to disappoint the pigs waiting at the trough.

[Khun Larry]

Govt admits Fashion City failure 

BANGKOK: -- The government admitted today that its flagship 'Bangkok:Fashion City' project was proving unsuccessful, with a key Industry Ministry official conceding that the 18-month timeframe was insufficient for transforming the capital into a global fashion hub.

The comments by Mr. Panpree Phahitthanukorn, the Vice Minister for Industry, follow a meeting of the Bangkok Fashion City committee last week, in which the committee noted that little progress was being made on any of the project's 11 programmes.

Blaming the failure on lack of coordination and on terms of reference considered too strict by the private sector, Mr. Panpree warned that if the private sector organizers of any of the programmes could not come up with viable plans, their contracts would be terminated and they would be forced to return government funding.

Under the original government plans, Bangkok was to have been transformed into a leading Asian fashion centre in 2008.

Today Mr. Pramode Vidtayasuk, the Director-General of the Department of Industrial Promotion and head of the Bangkok Fashion City Office, acknowledged that it now looked as if the government's target would not be met.

Nonetheless, he expressed optimism that continuous cash injections into the scheme would eventually produce a chance of domestic consumer behaviour, with more consumers turning to Thai fashion products.

--TNA 2005-06-08

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well there was no plan, just an announcement.

I would think fashion is what appeals to how people want others to see them. I doubt people in another country want to be seen as Thais in any way.

Why is the word scheme used so frequently? A scheme implies something devious, yes? At least they call it like it is...

[Johpa]

Govt admits Fashion City failure 

.....Nonetheless, he expressed optimism that continuous cash injections into the scheme would eventually produce a chance of domestic consumer behaviour, with more consumers turning to Thai fashion products.

--TNA 2005-06-08

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thailand is about the only country in Southest Asia that rejected its indigenous fashions for bland western fashion. Except for the Khun Yings at the hotel balls wearing their silk ensembles, most people who wear ethnic Thai fashions are considered to be rather eccentric. Having been led to turn away from local fashions over the past century, local consumer behavior will always follow Bangkok's bland lead. Continuous cash injections by the goverment makes for a nice subsidy for somebody.

[meadish_sweetball]

Govt admits Fashion City failure 

.....Nonetheless, he expressed optimism that continuous cash injections into the scheme would eventually produce a chance of domestic consumer behaviour, with more consumers turning to Thai fashion products.

--TNA 2005-06-08

Thailand is about the only country in Southest Asia that rejected its indigenous fashions for bland western fashion. Except for the Khun Yings at the hotel balls wearing their silk ensembles, most people who wear ethnic Thai fashions are considered to be rather eccentric. Having been led to turn away from local fashions over the past century, local consumer behavior will always follow Bangkok's bland lead. Continuous cash injections by the goverment makes for a nice subsidy for somebody.

The same thing goes for most music too, unfortunately.

An example of what you are talking about is how unimpressed all Thai women I have talked to were with Miss Thailand's Miss Universe costume... which I am sure went down pretty well with the international viewers as classy and unique.

[chownah]

Give it time...it will happen...the Thai people are inherently very creative and artistic. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So...tell me please....which cultures in the world have people that are not very creative?

[Greer]

My point was simply that it can't be done to a government imposed timetable and that the creativity to generate and sustain industries such as those involved in fashion and related skills does exist here.

My statement that many Thai's are creative is not implying that no-one else is...merely that they are....it's certainly not an exclusive club...