Thai Tourism Ministry planning 'international celebrities selfies' campaign

[webfact]

Tourism Ministry Planning 'Celebrities Selfies' Campaign
By Khaosod English


A photo from Mariah Carey's Twitter account of her concert in Bangkok on Halloween.

BANGKOK – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is hoping to promote tourism in Thailand by inviting "international celebrities" to take selfies in front of top attractions across the Kingdom.

Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the celebrities will be brought to Thailand and encouraged to share photos of themselves at tourist destinations or concerts on social media.

Kobkarn said he hopes the selfies will create a "buzz that convinces tourists to travel to Thailand."

"The promotion of tourism by having these celebrities take photos of themselves is a very cost-effective PR method that has the potential to raise a lot of awareness around the world," Kobkarn told Khaosod yesterday. "Because they have many followers on their social networks."

Kobkarn cited the example of American singer Mariah Carrey's recent concert in Bangkok, in which "she took photos with the concert-goers and wrote a message that expressed her feeling of being impressed with Thailand."

However, a search on Ms. Carrey's Twitter and Facebook accounts did not turn up such remarks.

According to Kobkarn, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is currently in talks with "renowned concert agencies" about the campaign.

Thailand's tourism industry has been struggling since street protests broke out against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in December last year.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1415342386


-- Khaosod English 2014-11-07

[Snig27]

Another day, another press release that is beyond absurd. Do they understand how the net works? That you can check these wild claims ....

Also, isn't Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul female? She is - let's be generous as she should never have been appointed to a job she was unfit for - hopeless.

"According to Kobkarn, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is currently in talks with "renowned concert agencies" about the campaign." <== hilarious

Edited November 7, 2014 by Snig27

[clockman]

Clutching at straws. Greed killed the golden goose!

[DavidBonnie]

It's not too bad an idea as the promotion of tourism goes as long as they show restraint and don't ask Alic Cooper to pose on Koh Tao

[draftvader]

It's not a bad idea for Thailand. I think that it might be a bad idea for the celebrity. Nothing against them, or anybody else, choosing Thailand for their holiday. Supporting the unelected leadership in a country that has a poor reputation for tourist safety at the moment? I'll be interested to see who takes them up on their offer.

[petedk]

I am surprised they don't form a " hub of selfies"

[Soutpeel]

"The promotion of tourism by having these celebrities take photos of themselves is a very cost-effective PR method that has the potential to raise a lot of awareness around the world,"

didn't celebrity do something like this in the past perform in BKK and made a comment about fake Rolex watches and TAT and few others "frowned" upon it ?

seems me the celebrity concerned did raise awareness around the world...

Maybe the guys from "Hangover" can do something as well ?

[iReason]

It's not a bad idea for Thailand. I think that it might be a bad idea for the celebrity. Nothing against them, or anybody else, choosing Thailand for their holiday. Supporting the unelected leadership in a country that has a poor reputation for tourist safety at the moment? I'll be interested to see who takes them up on their offer.

Any informed artist would avoid that offer like the plague.

[Bluespunk]

I am surprised they don't form a " hub of selfies"

"Kobkarn cited the example of American singer Mariah Carrey's recent concert in Bangkok, in which "she took photos with the concert-goers and wrote a message that expressed her feeling of being impressed with Thailand."

However, a search on Ms. Carrey's Twitter and Facebook accounts did not turn up such remarks."

I think they may be going for the "hub of stupid ideas" or the "hub of easily exposed lies".

Edited November 7, 2014 by Bluespunk

[draftvader]

I am surprised they don't form a " hub of selfies"

I think TAT may be going for the "hub of stupid ideas".

Is this an export market?

[Bluespunk]

I am surprised they don't form a " hub of selfies"

I think TAT may be going for the "hub of stupid ideas".

Is this an export market?

If it is they are way ahead of the game.

[Commerce]

Thailand - hub of complaints against social media, now asking for social media interjection. FFfffs sakes, when will a standard be drawn up?

[Prbkk]

Yes, not a bad idea but lesson 1: don't announce it as a proposal (and get caught out with the first example), DO IT, carefully and with real planning. Look at the Malaysian campaign, Malaysia Truly Asia, with Michelle Yeoh. A brilliant campaign with an unheard of shelf life of almost a decade.

This Minister appears to be seriously foot-in-mouth afflicted.

[NongKhaiKid]

It's reported Tony B Liar is in the air even as I type,

[iReason]

“inviting "international celebrities" to take selfies in front of top attractions across the Kingdom.”

Right.

Celebs will just flock here to be pimped.

“…the selfies will create a "buzz that convinces tourists to travel to Thailand."

Delusional.

“Kobkarn cited the example of American singer Mariah Carrey's recent concert in Bangkok”

“However, a search on Ms. Carrey's Twitter and Facebook accounts did not turn up such remarks.”

“PR method that has the potential to raise a lot of awareness around the world”

The world is aware…

Edited November 7, 2014 by iReason

[Thailand]

It's not a bad idea for Thailand. I think that it might be a bad idea for the celebrity. Nothing against them, or anybody else, choosing Thailand for their holiday. Supporting the unelected leadership in a country that has a poor reputation for tourist safety at the moment? I'll be interested to see who takes them up on their offer.

It reads they will be brought to Thailand, no choice in the matter, and then encouraged to take selfies.

Perhaps the encourager would be Rohinga? (-:

On the supporting the leadership, I have noticed some top sporting personalities, particularly golfers, are taking part in tournaments here. Now there is a selfie opportunity for TAT.

[JohnThailandJohn]

It's not a bad idea for Thailand. I think that it might be a bad idea for the celebrity. Nothing against them, or anybody else, choosing Thailand for their holiday. Supporting the unelected leadership in a country that has a poor reputation for tourist safety at the moment? I'll be interested to see who takes them up on their offer.

Already been going on for a while with a number of celebs...

Edited November 7, 2014 by JohnThailandJohn

[JOC]

Wristbands, lifewests and now selfies!!

Seriously are there no limits to the stupidity??

[shirtless]

I can see theTAT numbers already climbing this high season will break records all thanks to selfies

[JOC]

Wouldn't elections be easier and cheaper??

[Fat Haggis]

Mariah Carey??? Anyone clever enough to google what she "demands" to be in her dressing room and hotel suite would know she's a raving control freak !!

[draftvader]

Isn't there video of a local chap enjoying a "selfie" on the BTS? (btw I hate selfies with a passion...ego-centric and no value...so always think this when people say "selfie")

[draftvader]

Wouldn't elections be easier and cheaper??

Thanks, now I'm wearing my mid afternoon coffee!

[terryp]

No end to the brainstorming sessions with the help of Mr Blacklabel

[draftvader]

Mariah Carey??? Anyone clever enough to google what she "demands" to be in her dressing room and hotel suite would know she's a raving control freak !!

My cousin was a Maitre D on Hayman Island and had to spend a few days looking after her. She finished her "duty" and told her bosses that she would never work with Ms Carey again....she wasn't the first to say this apparently and they would wait for the complaints then move onto the next member of staff.

Edited November 7, 2014 by draftvader

[Fat Haggis]

And I'm guessing as well it would be "freebies" for those celebs too??

[JOC]

Prayuth!! I know that Madame Kobkarn is married to one of your fellow generals, but some damage-limitation is most urgently needed!! NOW!!

[JOC]

The Thais just don't get it!!

Take as many selfies with celebs as you want, but until you adress the real issues, like the scams, the dirty beaches, the lack of safety and the double pricing, the visitors are going somewhere else.

And seriously you deserve it!!

[DiamondKing]

Dennis Rodman will be up for it

[expat_4_life]

Sounds like she wants to employ them .... Wouldn't this "bring them to Thailand" and "cost-effective PR" constitute working in Thailand?

Hope they have their work permits in order.

Edited November 7, 2014 by expat_4_life