April International Insurance

[MZurf]

There are large banners/posters now hanging in Central saying that it's "good to be Chinese", while the men and women depicted in the posters are clearly Caucasian.

The thing that really got my attention was the poster with the woman, where she is slanting one of her eyes.

I don't know how to interpret the message behind this campaign, but I do think that it manages to be offensive to both Caucasians (we should all want to be Chinese) and the Chinese (the slant eyed thing).

I assume the people behind the campaign are neither Caucasian nor Chinese, but rather locals, who do display a rather unique ability to step in it.

[WitawatWatawit]

Racism, anyone? Yes, OP, it does smack of another boo-boo by the local little big men and women who must be obeyed.

[OMGImInPattaya]

Stop thinking so much...you'll give yourself a headache. Seems to me they are just saying that at this festive time of Chinese New Years everyone (including non-Chinese) can join in the fun (or spending as it's posted in a retail mall). The Thais don't have western habits of PC and racial hangups and stuff.

Your sensitivity reminds me of the recent brouhaha over Dunkin Donuts Thailand's chocolate donut adverts, which featured a Thai in blackface. I though they were creative and the tag line funny but the corporate parent in America went batshite over them. Complete overkill in my opinion.

Oh boy, by the first reply, I see the PC police are up early this morning. In addition, scholars of racism in the west will tell you that by definition, "racism" can't exist towards the dominant racial/ethnic, cultural, and economic group in a society. (Racism by individuals towards other individuals can but not sociatal-wide racism.) For example, an ad showing a black american in white-face promoting some product isn't racism because due to their aforementioned societal dominance, black people cannot affect or enforce any power over white people. In Thailand, substitute Chinese Thais for white. It's complicated but that's the jist if it.

Edited January 31, 2014 by OMGImInPattaya

[darrendsd]

Am I missing something? What's offensive about it?

OP you should leave your PC hangups in the west where they belong

[harrry]

It just means you can spend up big for Chinese New Year by just turning Chinese for the day,

[whoisyourdaddy]

Some ads are made in a very bad taste to ensure it gets attention and the talk.

Some ads are made to be very irritating, for the very same reason.

You never want to hear or see it again, but remember it for years to come

[JoeThePoster]

I think this campaign woks.

[JSixpack]

Kinda cute, not in the least offensive.

Enough w/ the PC and victimism.

[darrendsd]

I think this campaign woks.

But some posters think it is just plain wong

[Guderian]

That's hardly weird. Now this one really was...

[i claudius]

I love it that there is no PC bullshit in Thailand ,anyone who wants everything PC can go and live in the west.

[MZurf]

I'm more puzzled than offended, and PC is not my thing. It just struck me as weird the whole concept of the banner campaign.

[JSixpack]

I'm more puzzled than offended, and PC is not my thing. It just struck me as weird the whole concept of the banner campaign.

Creative. Not brilliantly so, but got your attn anyway.

[fakename]

Well, on St. Pats day, everyone is Irish, so same thing. Its just an add, maybe some dont accept it, but its no big thing.

[easyride]

It just means you can spend up big for Chinese New Year by just turning Chinese for the day,

Sorry to kamoy you're thread but does anyone konw the dates/ times of any Dragon shows this year?

I've seen Friendship a number of times and a phone call to Royal Garden got "9 tomorrow" - the Dragon will be knackered by nighttime.

Help appreciated. thanks.

[johng]

Not as bad as the " Hitler isn't dead " poster from a few years ago plastered all along Sukhumvit Road on the way into Pattaya.

[jimmybkk]

I think this campaign woks.

But some posters think it is just plain wong

The girl looks rubbery

[bender92]

You're kidding right? Get a life.

[chickenslegs]

I am also confused - I thought the slitty-eyed ones were the Japanese.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/prince-philip-quotes-relive-90-133848#.UuvEmrSzmwY

[Munger]

I love it that there is no PC bullshit in Thailand ,anyone who wants everything PC can go and live in the west.

Are you for real, "no PC in Thailand. How many times every day do you read the words "bargirl" or lady work bar ? Do you think that is not PC at its best ?

[Jingthing]

Chinese in Thailand are an elite group. Chinese in Thailand are not discriminated against like in Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. If a similar ad was done about an out group in Thailand, such as Burmese workers, it would be different. I think it's not in great taste though. I'd like to hear what Chinese people think about it.

BTW, when white people do the slanty eye thing in white dominated countries, yes, of course it is seen as racist, and yes, local Chinese and Asians in general would definitely complain.

But Thailand isn't that, so I agree, it's not a problem here.

Also, people who say there is no PC in Thailand don't have a clue!

There is PC in Thailand, just DIFFERENT PC than in the west.

Edited January 31, 2014 by Jingthing

[I Like Thai]

It's complete racism, just like this clip

[Woody1]

It's complete racism, just like this clip

Brilliant!!!!!!

[champers]

Not as bad as the " Hitler isn't dead " poster from a few years ago plastered all along Sukhumvit Road on the way into Pattaya.

Hitler 5 (Medium).JPG

For the waxworks museum, I recall. I think there were a few of our German friends in Pattaya who got all dewy eyed (the would-be stormtroopers among them).

[Rimmer]

Thai retailer apology for controversial Chinese New Year ad

Story HERE