YouTube Star Brings 'Happy Dance' To Thailand

[webfact]

DANCING MATT

YouTube star brings 'happy dance' to Kingdom

The Nation

YouTube celebrity Dancing Matt has come to Thailand to lend his famous dancing skills to a tourismpromotion campaign.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Visa (Thailand) invited Matthew Harding, aka Dancing Matt, to lure foreign travellers under the "Go Thailand: All that is missing is you" campaign.

Harding has become famous for the funny, exuberant dances he performs with local people at wellknown sightseeing spots around the world. Posted on YouTube, his dancing clips have been watched by millions of people worldwide. At least one registered more than 40 million views.

Yesterday, Harding recorded his "happy dance" at Phuket Golf Club Resort and Spa's Blue Canyon Golf Course - Mission Hill in Thalang district of Phuket.

The TAT said Harding was invited to act as a presenter to promote tourism in Thailand following the great flooding that ravaged several provinces and Bangkok.

Harding said he thought Thailand was a beautiful country, adding that he loved the local hospitality and was very happy to be part of the campaign.

Earlier yesterday, Harding drew the attention of many foreign tourists when he recorded promotional clips at Kata and Karon beaches. During the recording sessions, he was approached by several tourists wanting to know if he was the celebrated "Dancing Matt" they had seen on the Internet.

Before travelling to Phuket, Harding visited Ayutthaya and Bangkok on Tuesday and Wednesday to record promotional clips.

On Tuesday morning, he visited Ayutthaya's Ayothaya Market before heading to Bangkok to record another at Siam Paragon. The evening found him in Chinatown for another shoot.

Harding shot more clips at Bangkok City Hall, the Giant Swing and Khao San Road on Wednesday before moving on to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in the afternoon.

Harding is often cited as an example of an ordinary person turned into a global celebrity via Internetbased social networks. He started out simply recording videos and posting them on YouTube for his family to watch.

But many people fell in love with his simple but happy style of dancing and monitored his travels, turning him into a YouTube celebrity.

-- The Nation 2011-12-09

[webfact]

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[softgeorge]

It is with a heavy heart that they use a farang to promote Thailand. Does this actually mean that a Thai dancing man could not do it better than a farang. When all else fails turn to a farang for help.

[chooka]

Great initiative, will show Thailand as a fun loving, carefree, high spirited destination with great culture and traditions. Just don't include places like Pattaya as that would destroy the whole aim.

[sydneyjed]

TAT have about as much of an idea how to promote and sell Thailand as the Australian Tourism Authority have at the moment trying to entice tourists there ...Painful to watch them...no idea!!

[chooka]

TAT have about as much of an idea how to promote and sell Thailand as the Australian Tourism Authority have at the moment trying to entice tourists there ...Painful to watch them...no idea!!

What's wrong with this campaign?

[Soutpeel]

"Go Thailand: All that is missing is you" campaign."

If I could suggest a slight modification to the tag line which TAT may consider

"Go Thailand...All that is missing is your wallet"

[chooka]

They could try the Israeli approach I am sure it will work.

Israeli Tourism Commercial

[geriatrickid]

It is with a heavy heart that they use a farang to promote Thailand. Does this actually mean that a Thai dancing man could not do it better than a farang. When all else fails turn to a farang for help.

Does the Thai man have a large following on the internet? What's your problem?

The use of dancing Matt is a low cost method of reaching a unique audience, Dancing Mat appears is choreographically challenged foreign tourist, aad his apearance targets other potential foreign tourists.He has a following of people that go to the destinations he highlights and make their own videos. It's 2011 and advertising campaigns have moved with the times. Get with it, it's not 1971 anymore.

[GentlemanJim]

Webfact

Thanks for the video, I had forgotten how much I used to like watching this guy do this. Great music and what he does just makes me smile and giggle.

softgeorge

This is the guy's trade mark. he has a cult following of young people all over the world. Some Thai bloke trying to copy it would just not be...well...funny. And those millions of people would certainly not view it.

Well done for some out the box thinking to the Tourism board.

[Soupdragon]

Could he modify his dance to incorporate a pole ? Cover all the bases

[RichardinBKK]

It is with a heavy heart that they use a farang to promote Thailand. Does this actually mean that a Thai dancing man could not do it better than a farang. When all else fails turn to a farang for help.

Well, it probably took a minute to figure out how to turn a positive story into Thai bashing...but you managed.

OK, let me make this simple...you see, advertising is designed to get the target audience to 'go to action." The target market is farang.

But...you already knew that, just could not pass up a chance to post another negative comment.

How about this.....this relatively cheap source of advertising is in the center of the demographic Thailand wants here. 30 -40 years old, positive attitude, actually enjoys activities outside bars and whores (and throwing Thailand under the bus) seems like a clean respectable person that Thais might enjoy in the Kingdom. This approach is simply brilliant, and frankly my reaction was "Wow, I would not have thought of that....but Kudos to whomever did!!!"

You see, this guy is the poster child for "Happy, Positive and Friendly." The sort of person Thailand wants to come as a guest, have a great time, and come back next year with more friends like him. Wow, over time...there may actually be more demand for eco-tourists, and less demand for the "Boom Boom" room...

What a concept!

[FOODLOVER]

"Go Thailand: All that is missing is you"

Is kidnapping on the rise?

Edited December 9, 2011 by FOODLOVER

[Thaddeus]

A youtube clip showing TAT execs clutching at straws may be more appropriate.

Seriously, there are clips of kittens doing silly things that have millions of views, doesn't mean that millions of viewers went and got a cat.

[DocN]

Those were enjoyable 3:42! Thanks!

[pepi2005]

Instead of trying to present an image of Thailand that just doesn't exist in reality

(and usually leads to disappointment), Thailand should accept itself for what it is:

only interested in short term tourist's money and a fun destination (party, sex).

I think the Israeli clip could show the right way - entertaining, sex always sells,

ironic, puts a smile on your face:

By the way, how many tourist slogans does Thailand have now?

I heard that first it was 'Miracle Thailand', then 'Thailand - a miracle' and now

it is "Go Thailand: All that is missing is you"

[robertson468]

Webfact

Thanks for the video, I had forgotten how much I used to like watching this guy do this. Great music and what he does just makes me smile and giggle.

softgeorge

This is the guy's trade mark. he has a cult following of young people all over the world. Some Thai bloke trying to copy it would just not be...well...funny. And those millions of people would certainly not view it.

Well done for some out the box thinking to the Tourism board.

Excellent response - a bit sad there are so many cynical comments both about a Guy who clearly is so likeable and has a great talent for making people smile and because TAT should think "out of the box". The object of all advertising is to give people the "feel good factor" and this Guy certainly did it for me. Pity there are not a whole lot more "happy chappies" like him in the World and well done Thailand.:jap:

[softgeorge]

It is with a heavy heart that they use a farang to promote Thailand. Does this actually mean that a Thai dancing man could not do it better than a farang. When all else fails turn to a farang for help.

Does the Thai man have a large following on the internet? What's your problem?

The use of dancing Matt is a low cost method of reaching a unique audience, Dancing Mat appears is choreographically challenged foreign tourist, aad his apearance targets other potential foreign tourists.He has a following of people that go to the destinations he highlights and make their own videos. It's 2011 and advertising campaigns have moved with the times. Get with it, it's not 1971 anymore.

I'm sorry, I thought putting a smily face on the end of my comment indicated that it was tongue in cheek. It appears that I have deeply offended some and for this I am deeply sorry and remorseful. I was wrong and the 1st to admit it. I am actually a fan of Matt and think it is a good concept. He is the only one who could pull off this campaign trying to copy him would not work.

[softgeorge]

They could try the Israeli approach I am sure it will work.

Israeli Tourism Commercial

I'm off to Israel, works for me.

[janverbeem]

It is with a heavy heart that they use a farang to promote Thailand. Does this actually mean that a Thai dancing man could not do it better than a farang. When all else fails turn to a farang for help.

Not so,but it assures them that they can blaim a farang for the failure of their promotion campaign.

[janverbeem]

They could try the Israeli approach I am sure it will work.

Israeli Tourism Commercial

Is Israel promoting themselves as the new Pattaya?

[DocN]

Instead of trying to present an image of Thailand that just doesn't exist in reality

(and usually leads to disappointment), Thailand should accept itself for what it is:

only interested in short term tourist's money and a fun destination (party, sex).

I think the Israeli clip could show the right way - entertaining, sex always sells,

ironic, puts a smile on your face:

By the way, how many tourist slogans does Thailand have now?

I heard that first it was 'Miracle Thailand', then 'Thailand - a miracle' and now

it is "Go Thailand: All that is missing is you"

yeah...ahm....that was crap!

[jimbeam1]

Well I must say, that after watching the video. It wouldn't sell me on any particular Country. Great gimmick for him if it get's him free travel, just his 15 minuets of fame, though me thinks.

jb1

[blackthorn2005]

TAT have about as much of an idea how to promote and sell Thailand as the Australian Tourism Authority have at the moment trying to entice tourists there ...Painful to watch them...no idea!!

Maybe TAT have blown their budget on trips abroad and luxurious dinners, this guy was probably cheaper than a Thai. Wonder if he has a work permit?

[DLock]

It is with a heavy heart that they use a farang to promote Thailand. Does this actually mean that a Thai dancing man could not do it better than a farang. When all else fails turn to a farang for help.

Well, it probably took a minute to figure out how to turn a positive story into Thai bashing...but you managed.

OK, let me make this simple...you see, advertising is designed to get the target audience to 'go to action." The target market is farang.

But...you already knew that, just could not pass up a chance to post another negative comment.

How about this.....this relatively cheap source of advertising is in the center of the demographic Thailand wants here. 30 -40 years old, positive attitude, actually enjoys activities outside bars and whores (and throwing Thailand under the bus) seems like a clean respectable person that Thais might enjoy in the Kingdom. This approach is simply brilliant, and frankly my reaction was "Wow, I would not have thought of that....but Kudos to whomever did!!!"

You see, this guy is the poster child for "Happy, Positive and Friendly." The sort of person Thailand wants to come as a guest, have a great time, and come back next year with more friends like him. Wow, over time...there may actually be more demand for eco-tourists, and less demand for the "Boom Boom" room...

What a concept!

Good post Richard. I agree that using Matt to promote Thailand is a great idea. NIce job TOT.

However, marketing that would work for the majority of TV readers would be limited to Go Go bars, partially clad dark skinned Thai girls and beer...and funnily enough, that would also generate significant tourists for Thailand...just all the wrong kind.

[TheWalkingMan]

Dancing Matt, great music.

[GentlemanJim]

I love it in the video when he is on the boulder hanging in the gorge in Norway. I have stood on there, its not really that big and it is a huge vertical drop, easy to get on and off though, look how smal his dance steps are 555 he must have been really bricking himself on that one. Good though, all I could do was stand rigidly still 555.

[mca]

"Go Thailand: All that is missing is you" campaign."

If I could suggest a slight modification to the tag line which TAT may consider

"Go Thailand...All that is missing is your wallet"

Or " Go Thailand. All that is missing is Somchai Neelapaijit "

Edited December 10, 2011 by mca

[Soutpeel]

"Go Thailand: All that is missing is you" campaign."

If I could suggest a slight modification to the tag line which TAT may consider

"Go Thailand...All that is missing is your wallet"

Or " Go Thailand. All that is missing is Somchai Neelapaijit "

Or "Go Thailand. all that is missing is Thaksin Shinawatra"

Or "Go Thailand. all that is missing is Suphoth Sublom's bribery money"

[TAWP]

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And here is the second compilation from 2 years later: