Thailand to use cat bags to entice tourists

[webfact]

Thailand to use cat bags to entice tourists
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), a government ministry well-known for oftentimes baffling publicity stunts, is at it again.

This week TAT launched a new line of promotional paper bags to promote “Thainess.” The bags feature a traditional Siamese cat on both sides.

How this encourages tourism isn't clear.

We assume TAT assumes everyone outside of the country is a cat person.

The cat is of the Wichian Mat breed and will be on both large and small bags to be distributed to various government offices and companies wanting to use the bags for promotional purposes. [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2013/08/08/thailand-use-cat-bags-entice-tourists


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2013-08-08

[FarangTalk]

Thousands upon thousands of stray cats in Bangkok which are a health hazard.

Perhaps they could do something about that problem, rather than this pointless tosh?

[gl555]

Really?

What kind of idiots do they hire to do the marketing at the TAT?

[paddyjenkins]

i like cats

[MrJohnson]

TAT does it again. Looks like a CATastrophe to me.........

[Tatsujin]

Thainess = brain dead when it comes to Marketing

[Pimay1]

i like cats

I hate cats.

[AyG]

In all my years here I have only seen Siamese cats once, many years ago. I think it was at the Rose Garden. Anyway, the cats were in bare wire cages with concrete floors. Horrible conditions. Let's just hope that the tens of thousands of cat-loving visitors who are sure to come here to search out these fabled moggies aren't too shocked by what they find.

[laurentbkk]

How this encourages tourism isn't clear.

Well I agree with this ... lets wait for the good ideas of TAT .. they are always full of surprises .

[laurentbkk]

i like cats

I hate cats.

I dont like too much either ... but I love all animals

[transam]

I thought Thai folk were not too keen on cat's.

[Pimay1]

I thought Thai folk were not too keen on cat's.

Just asked the maid if Esaan people like cats. She said they like to eat them.

[Bluespunk]

Really?

What kind of idiots do they hire to do the marketing at the TAT?

Ones who consistently come up with stupid ideas such as this one.

[jpeg]

Thousands upon thousands of stray cats in Bangkok which are a health hazard.

Perhaps they could do something about that problem, rather than this pointless tosh?

Doubt you were around at the time of the Witch Trials in medieval Europe whereupon cats were caught and killed, being witches' 'familiar' of choice.

This resulted in the Black Death, caused by the subsequent proliferation of rats, the cats' plat du jour. Som nom bloody na.

Given Bangkok, indeed Thailand in general is overrun with rats, which would you prefer? A cat or a RAT.

[bunnaag]

Really?

What kind of idiots do they hire to do the marketing at the TAT?

they are in the lucky position that they do not have to hire idiots

[bigbamboo]

Why wouldn't TAT think tourists would be attracted to Thailand by the picture of a cute pussy?

We have four pussy cats....... and not a rat in sight.

[kartman]

Is it for the influx of Chinese tourists to put their lunch in ?

[jmccarty]

The cats not out of the bag so to speak but on it! Very odd choice of promotional rubbish.

[tomross46]

It is a language problem. The TOT talked to a wide portion of the visitors from the EU, Russia, Australia, and sailors off US Navy ships. 90% of the male vacationers and 100% of the sailors stated that the like young Thai cats, or something like that.

Edited August 8, 2013 by tomross46

[Robby nz]

How about doggie bags to take home as well.

Just another silly piece of tripe to try to keep rice out of the headlines.

[happynthailand]

everybody knows that the cat covers up their "S--t"

just like thailand is doing

come to thailand and we will give you a bag to carry your "s--t" in

[RKASA]

It replaces the first idea they had.

Cheap cats - taste like chicken

[EyesWideOpen]

I have often wondered how these people get a job at TAT....

1. brown bag full of cash

2. closely connected relative in power position above

3. a degree in international marketing from a prestigious university

[Jingthing]

I actually don't think it's so bad.

I reckon a good portion of the world doesn't link Siam to Thailand anymore and I also think Siamese Cats are a cool brand even for those allergic to cats like me.

Could be worse!

Edited August 8, 2013 by Jingthing

[lemonjelly]

Not the Thai pussy I had in mind………….

[arthurboy]

Woof.

[Jingthing]

Not the Thai pussy I had in mind………….

Another quality tourist!

[EyesWideOpen]

Not the Thai pussy I had in mind.

Another quality tourist!

Someone has to support the farm family in Isan... :-)

[semaritual]

mhhhhh another fact of offending tourists and i realy ask myself how many stupid people work for TAT, the head as the one who is responsible at the very end must be the top of these idiots!

[MrJohnson]

It didn't take long for this thread to descend into the depths