EDITORIAL

Worried about the image? Then solve the problem

The Nation

The Commerce Ministry misses the whole point about how some foreigners view Thailand as a place where fake goods are widely available

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government's response to Lady Gaga's comment about wanting to buy fake Rolex watches in Thailand has backfired. Instead of trying to take action against the producers of fake goods in Thailand, the Commerce Ministry has written to the US Embassy to complain about the entertainer's comment.

If the Thai government is serious about Lady Gaga's comment, which the ministry describes as "insulting" and "offensive", it should instead find out why the American singer tweeted the tongue-in-cheek statement to her fans upon landing in Thailand last week.

In fact, Gaga may end up helping promote the tourism industry with her controversial statement. It's no secret that many tourists come to Thailand because they've heard about "lady markets" and the wide availability of cheap, fake goods.

The ministry's reaction is knee-jerk, at best. Complaining to the US Embassy about Gaga's comment will not help the "image" of Thailand. In fact, what the American singer said simply reflects the perception of Thailand that many tourists already have. They have seen the pictures of tourist attractions. They have heard the stories.

Lady Gaga might simply have been telling her fans that she really wanted to buy fake goods in Thailand. Or she may have intentionally been sending a more serious message, not just to her 25 million followers, about an issue of concern to artists. Fashion icons like her might choose to talk about fake luxury watches, but a real issue for international artists is pirated DVDs and CDs. And that may be the issue she wants the responsible agencies to address.

The Intellectual Property Department says it's trying to control the proliferation of pirated goods in this country, but its efforts are in no way effective. There are still fake goods in markets all over the country, not just tourist areas.

And this issue is not just a Thai problem. Many of the fake items are made in neighbouring countries. China has also been criticised in this regard, and has become notorious as a producer of counterfeit goods.

Instead of blaming Lady Gaga for making controversial statements, the ministry should attempt to tackle the problem by cooperating with the police in prosecuting the producers and vendors. At the same time, it needs to educate consumers about the negative consequences of purchasing fake goods.

Violation of intellectual property rights, in the long term, will only discourage creativity among artists and inventors, because they realise that they may never be fully rewarded for their efforts.

There are also more serious physical dangers that can arise from the consumption of fake drugs or use of fake electronic equipment or machinery. Intellectual property rights thus exist not only to protect international artists like Gaga, but also local artists and all consumers.

The Commerce Ministry simply looks foolish by crying wolf about how Lady Gaga has tarnished the country's image in her Twitter message. The correct response is to show that Thailand can do better, and can improve its international image, by making a serious effort to suppress illegal activities and protect copyright holders and the public. At the same time, an effort needs to be made to instil greater public awareness of the respect for others people's rights.

Regardless of the amount of money spent to "improve the country's image", the public-relations effort will only ever be as effective as the commitment to uphold the law. And despite its bleating and whining about controversial comments made by visiting pop divas, the government will never be able to disguise the real situation in the country - to either locals or tourists - unless it takes the right action to remedy the problem. Sellers and buyers beware.

-- The Nation 2012-05-30

Bravo.

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The Nation must be employing a new editorial writer. That was a fairly good read.

Yes, well written for sure. But face is very important here.

What image are they worried about?

Do these people actually think they have a good image abroad?

IMO Thailand is known as a discount tourist destinations

Low priced food, low priced BG's, low priced goods

If they took away the fake goods and cheap goods, Thailand would

lose a major income stream. This "fake" industry also employes

so many people, what would all those people do for income?

Look at so many markets ... patpong night market and indra square

to name but two ... how many stalls would have to close?

In agreement with this editorial for once - well written and spells out the facts plain and simple. The sad fact is most Thai people have very little idea how their country is perceived by the outside world. My wife watched in both fascination and disgust at the 'Little Britain' sketch involving TingTong and Mr. Duddly

Editorial seeks a noble purpose without action. Why doesn't The Nation really help out and "investigate and expose" the business and the Mr. Bigs? That would be a true journalistic purpose. If the newspaper knows what's really going on and doesn't get after it and make it public, it's really just a sham.

that's what we call a slap ..how shocking is that ? Thailand image worldwide has been damaged by a Tweet .... LOL is that a joke ? You want good image ? clean the pavement and all those stall selling fake products on silom and sukhumvit ..You don't need Lady gaga to damage the image , I cannot imagine if a man celebrity would have tweet "lets go and have fun in some gogo bars" ..... this is the Don't see ..Don't Talk and Don't hear philosophy . Spend your money here but dont tell anyone where you bought your fake Vuitton bag , Fake Lacoste polo, Fake D&G jeans to go with your Fake rolex.

_{How does one tarnish the image of a country whose image is already tarnished?}

Editorial seeks a noble purpose without action. Why doesn't The Nation really help out and "investigate and expose" the business and the Mr. Bigs? That would be a true journalistic purpose. If the newspaper knows what's really going on and doesn't get after it and make it public, it's really just a sham.

"Why doesn't The Nation really help out and "investigate and expose" the business and the Mr. Bigs?"

Defamation.

Counterfeit problem is regional & not Thai-specific. Problem also lies with the Western corporations using Eastern sweatshops for decades to manufacture their non-counterfeit goods, a lot of people in this region learned how to make things in sweatshops & set up their own copy businesses as a way out of poverty. If the corporations had paid them properly to make the genuine items in the first place, there would not be so many counterfeiters now (imo). It works both ways of course - most of these fake watches & bags are made in sweatshop conditions too.

Some counterfeit goods are actually very well-made. I got a real leather purse in Laos a few years ago which is really good quality leatherwork, its just the logo-stamp is fake. I would never buy a watch though because really you want precision engineering in watches.

For me Thailand is a beautiful country with a rich & colourful culture & history, and friendly people, those are the reasons I love Thailand & I don't see why counterfeit bags or watches changes any of those positive things.

Edited May 30, 201214 yr by Yunla

Do I miss the NotTheNation tagline here or is this one of the few true reports?

Thumbs up!!!

Editorial seeks a noble purpose without action. Why doesn't The Nation really help out and "investigate and expose" the business and the Mr. Bigs? That would be a true journalistic purpose. If the newspaper knows what's really going on and doesn't get after it and make it public, it's really just a sham.

"Why doesn't The Nation really help out and "investigate and expose" the business and the Mr. Bigs?"

Defamation.

So it's just a sham. Meaningless purposeless chit chat filling white space.

I wonder what the tourism would have to say if Thailand changed it's image to what some people want it to be.

The Nation must be employing a new editorial writer. That was a fairly good read.

Sorry but I read the same article in the other newspaper, it was exactly the same!!!!!!

I think it was actually written by The Thai News Agency, then each paper has copied it and used it in their own papers.

Counterfeit problem is regional & not Thai-specific. Problem also lies also with the Western corporations using Eastern sweatshops for decades to manufacture their non-counterfeit goods, a lot of people in this region learned how to make things in sweatshops & set up their own copy businesses as a way out of poverty. If the corporations had paid them properly to make the genuine items in the first place, there would not be so many counterfeiters now (imo). It works both ways of course - most of these fake watches & bags are made in sweatshop conditions too.

Some counterfeit goods are actually very well-made. I got a real leather purse in Laos a few years ago which is really good quality leatherwork, its just the logo-stamp is fake. I would never buy a watch though because really you want precision engineering in watches.

For me Thailand is a beautiful country with a rich & colourful culture & history, and friendly people, those are the reasons I love Thailand & I don't see why counterfeit bags or watches changes any of those positive things.

Do you work for the goverment by any chance...lets blame everyone else shall we

Do you work for the goverment by any chance...lets blame everyone else shall we

I'm too honest and assiduous to get a job in this government.

Editorial seeks a noble purpose without action. Why doesn't The Nation really help out and "investigate and expose" the business and the Mr. Bigs? That would be a true journalistic purpose. If the newspaper knows what's really going on and doesn't get after it and make it public, it's really just a sham.

"Why doesn't The Nation really help out and "investigate and expose" the business and the Mr. Bigs?"

Defamation.

Ask this lady:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/558689-australian-businesswoman-arrested-in-thailand-for-criminal-defamation/

'Regardless of the amount of money spent to "improve the country's image", the public-relations effort will only ever be as effective as the commitment to uphold the law.'

......and therein lays the problem. The only time there is a commitment to uphold the law, is when the right palms haven't been greased.

The Nation must be employing a new editorial writer. That was a fairly good read.

Sorry but I read the same article in the other newspaper, it was exactly the same!!!!!!

I think it was actually written by The Thai News Agency, then each paper has copied it and used it in their own papers.

Bugger! I thought it made a pleasant change from Tulsathit Taptim and Achara Deeboonme. Straight and to the point.

The economy of Thailand's tourist cities, depends on so called "massage parlors"; counterfit handbags, CD's, watches, designer clothing and such which would be illegal in more civil, advanced countries. Saying one thing and not taking action (such as the Thai government) is a sign of helplessness. There are so many Thais (including the police)connected to things that are illegal in Thailand that these negative money makers will be hard to wipe out. So, let's just pretend it doesn't exist and condemn those outsiders that point it out. (sarcasm)

Yes, well written for sure. But face is very important here.

And the Minster lost a pile 'o' face by opening his mouth twice.

Once in the papers and then again to the USA Embassy.

"what the American singer said simply reflects

the perception of Thailand that many tourists already have."

The problem is not the perception, but the reality that created that world wide perception.

Corruption; cradle to grave, causing an total lack of respect for others property,

and rights to their property. Only the strong or rich have rights to their stuff it seems.

because they can PAY to have their property protected.

'Regardless of the amount of money spent to "improve the country's image", the public-relations effort will only ever be as effective as the commitment to uphold the law.'

......and therein lays the problem. The only time there is a commitment to uphold the law, is when the right palms haven't been greased.

There is no commitment to uphold the law. Full stop.

There is only a profit motive to use the law if it profits someone.

Edited May 30, 201214 yr by animatic

I think Thailand got off lightly. She could have said a hell of a lot worse things she was going to get up to on her visit.

I think Thailand got off lightly. She could have said a hell of a lot worse things she was going to get up to on her visit.

Yeah like " It's really great to be here in Thailand. I'm going to go to Kalasin province and join a police lynch mob stringing up innocent young men"

That'd be one for the " tarnish Thailand's image " spokesperson.

Wow not so often that I read an article here that hits the nail.

Very good article!

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Initially, I also thought it was a pretty good report. But, on a re-read, I noticed the following:

"...........the ministry should attempt to tackle the problem by cooperating with the police in prosecuting ............"

One hopes the reporter / newspaper isn't attempting to suggest that the only ones here trying to beat counterfeit crime is - the police!!

Yes if a Lady Gaga tweet is so "insulting" and "offensive", then how much more "insulting" and "offensive" is it that it is actually true? Is that not a greater loss of Face? I appears the view of 'face' is short sighted. It appears that 'face' is used only as an excuse, only as a weapon? Not to actually govern their own behavior?

Excellent piece - right on the money!