http://www.thailand-...m-numbers/2933/

THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to spend Bt10 million (about $US308,000) on a series of cooking programs hosted by American celebrity Martha Stewart in an attempt to lure tourists back to the kingdom.

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Money well spent???

Supporting a jail bird.

It appears that some 'influential' Thais insist upon using/citing the USA for many things. This is one reason why the Thai electrical system is in such a shambles.

When it comes to food, I think anybody who is not from the USA (the fattest nation in the world) would be better. Also, somebody who is not a 'magnate' of any kind would be good.

I suggest Margaret Fulton.

WHO???????????????????????? never heard of her??

All the more reason why 'she' (Margaret Fulton) needs to be considered.

For the most part, I think Maaartha is mentally constipated.

the slapchop/shamwow guy would be better...

ex cons aswell so perfect

It appears that some 'influential' Thais insist upon using/citing the USA for many things. This is one reason why the Thai electrical system is in such a shambles.

When it comes to food, I think anybody who is not from the USA (the fattest nation in the world) would be better. Also, somebody who is not a 'magnate' of any kind would be good.

I suggest Margaret Fulton.

Stop telling Porky pies Kango U.S number 9

http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/07/worlds-fattest-countries-forbeslife-cx_ls_0208worldfat_2.html

She may be a wealthy magnate; but money made on the backs of what sort of person? Study her the next time she is on the television; ------------ She is so false! Just who is running the TAT?

The business dealings of past TAT officials, Martha's past financial ventures, combine the two, and you may have a winning combo, that will fit right in the foreign business/Thai tourism sector.

I think the quoted article was poorly written. For the Martha Stewart campaign the audience is global, not Europe; her TV show, "Martha Stewart Living" is very popular everywhere, and is even shown here in Thailand (she was here in January when the show was launched here). The goal is to encourage more female tourists, age 25-45, to travel to Thailand. It sounds like she might film some shows here, which will perhaps expose a different target tourist to look into Thailand as a destination. It doesn't sound crazy to me, it actually sounds like a great idea, but I am no tourism expert.

Her 2004 conviction was for obstruction of justice and lying to investigators. Prosecutors could not convict her for insider trading, and they had to make an example of her, so they used her own perhaps obfuscating statements against her. She accepted her conviction and served her time in prison ( 5 months ).

Welcome, housewives of America, to Pattaya.

I think the quoted article was poorly written. For the Martha Stewart campaign the audience is global, not Europe; her TV show, "Martha Stewart Living" is very popular everywhere, and is even shown here in Thailand (she was here in January when the show was launched here). The goal is to encourage more female tourists, age 25-45, to travel to Thailand. It sounds like she might film some shows here, which will perhaps expose a different target tourist to look into Thailand as a destination. It doesn't sound crazy to me, it actually sounds like a great idea, but I am no tourism expert.

Her 2004 conviction was for obstruction of justice and lying to investigators. Prosecutors could not convict her for insider trading, and they had to make an example of her, so they used her own perhaps obfuscating statements against her. She accepted her conviction and served her time in prison ( 5 months ).

Her audience is global ? Only persons over 99 years of age, accompanied by their parents.

Maybe its aired in Montenegro ?

Do you think any female tourist in Europe, age 25-45 will be encouraged to go to Thailand after seeing Martha Stewart ?

"The Lady Journey campaign will feature 50 female Thai celebrities who will visit 10 different destinations in 11 provinces"

"The Lady Journey campaign will feature 50 female Thai celebrities who will visit 10 different destinations in 11 provinces"

10 destinations in 11 provinces ?

that's funny

Oh no, please... Why not Jamie "the chav" Oliver... then after?!?

I think the quoted article was poorly written. For the Martha Stewart campaign the audience is global, not Europe; her TV show, "Martha Stewart Living" is very popular everywhere, and is even shown here in Thailand (she was here in January when the show was launched here). The goal is to encourage more female tourists, age 25-45, to travel to Thailand. It sounds like she might film some shows here, which will perhaps expose a different target tourist to look into Thailand as a destination. It doesn't sound crazy to me, it actually sounds like a great idea, but I am no tourism expert.

Her 2004 conviction was for obstruction of justice and lying to investigators. Prosecutors could not convict her for insider trading, and they had to make an example of her, so they used her own perhaps obfuscating statements against her. She accepted her conviction and served her time in prison ( 5 months ).

Her audience is global ? Only persons over 99 years of age, accompanied by their parents.

Maybe its aired in Montenegro ?

Do you think any female tourist in Europe, age 25-45 will be encouraged to go to Thailand after seeing Martha Stewart ?

if Martha Stewart's audience is global then the world is shrinking rapidly "Martha Stewart Living" is very popular everywhere," well it certainly isn't in UK or Europe, doubt it airs in Japan or Asia so that's going to be a well targeted campaign.

no relevance in Oz, what happened to Thai food? no offence to M.S. but she not my cup of Tea................

Breaking News:

Martha Stewart kicks back 5 million Baht to the Governor of the TAT.

She's not my cup of tea...or for that matter my cup of coffee either. But she is popular with a certain segment of the regular television viewers in the U.S. so it's a legitimate market. She can probably draw a million viewers for each show, and if only one-tenth of them are interested enough to think about a trip to Thailand (irregardless of whether they do make that trip or not) it should be cost-effective for promotion of tourisim to Thailand. That amount of money is only small change in U.S. advertising/promotional terms. I'm assuming the segments will be filmed in Thailand. So at least a good part of that money will be spent in Thailand. And really, that amount of money is small change in most U.S advertising budgets.

As I said, she is not my cup of tea. But she does have her fans. And yes personally I think she is a phoney and a pompous fool. But she can pay the bills, and make money too. She'll bring a certain audience, and if Thailand gets shown in a good light, it should be worth it.

Of course, for the other type of tourists that spend most of their tourist time in Thailand in a bar in Pattaya...maybe TAT could sponsor a porno film for them..."Ladyboys of Pattaya" might be a good title. Any idea on who might be the star (probably not Martha)

The original article posted by NNT is about a European niche market, as far as I know, she is not aired in any European country.

Article :

BANGKOK, 24 June 2010 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to approach the European market in its 2011 plan with a budget of 10 million THB for Thai tourism advertisement through Ms Martha Stewart.

TAT Deputy Governor of European Jutaporn Roengronasa stated that the 2011 fiscal year plan for the European region was aimed at niche markets, while general tourism plan was to maintain the same level of market share. Products offered will approach groups of honeymoon, wedding, golf and medical tours. Ms Jatuporn elaborated that if a budget for special market stimulation was obtained, she would utilize it for the road shows to promote medical services among countries in the Middle East.

As for the European market stimulation plan for the latter half of this year, TAT will invite Ms Martha Stewart, a famous moderator of a women TV program in the US and the owner of Martha Stewart Living magazine, for her program shooting in Thailand. This project is expected to use a budget of 10 million THB with the hope to revive Thai tourism.

End of article.

So as for the approach of European tourist, is it useless to promote this through Martha Stewart !

Maybe she will encourage some American tourist, but the aim from TAT (with this budget of 10 M) is for the European market.

Wow, 10 million Baht for a series of cooking shows with Martha Stewart is an ABSOLUTE STEAL. She must be getting something else out of this?

She is hugely popular in the US among a certain segment of viewers. Not on the same level as Oprah, but probably second in line.

She may be a wealthy magnate; but money made on the backs of what sort of person? Study her the next time she is on the television; ------------ She is so false! Just who is running the TAT?

A false TV personality - quelle horreur!