Tourism Authority says 'I Hate Thailand' a big success

[webfact]

Tourism Authority says 'I Hate Thailand' a big success
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand has acknowledged being behind the widely shared “I Hate Thailand” video recently released, describing it as part of an “unbranded” campaign.

The video, which tells of a foreign visitor who overcomes adversity with the help of Thai kindness, became an online hit for its saccharine story but has been widely reported and embraced as a factual account across the media spectrum.

“There’s been much hype and speculation following the release of the ‘I Hate Thailand’ video, which has been produced based on a research that an ‘unbranding’ advertisement would tend to receive more interest than a conventional branding commercial,” said TAT Governor Thawatchai Arunyik in a news release today.

The video was released by an anonymous YouTube account and bore no indication it was a government-funded production. Almost the moment it appeared, news outlets such as Manager, Matichon, Prachachat and Khaosod reported it as a real news item and urged people to share it.

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co//2014/11/25/tourism-authority-says-i-hate-thailand-big-success


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2014-11-26

In case you missed it:

[KhunMoo]

As long as TAT, will back you up, and help you in court - when you throw stones on taxies, on Koh Samed. Stay inside the kingdom, for two years, straight. AND working without a work-permit....then i'm alle good, with these commercial outbursts

[HeijoshinCool]

... has been widely reported and embraced as a factual account across the media spectrum ...

Guess for TAT, the end justifies the means.

But people don't like being lied to, and this might backfire.

[SoFarAndNear]

Soon we have new member here who will open threads like.

How I can live in Thailand? I am 25 years old have no money but I am friendly and like to party.

[NongKhaiKid]

The wonderfully perfect world of TAT.

[pinkpanther99]

I guess the only way it can truly be deemed a success if suddenly planes loads of tourists arrive at the airport having seen the video and decided to go an holiday in Thailand.

What this video did do however, was get plenty of people talking about it, I think it was watched almost a million times on YouTube and was talked about right accross social media and on internet forums, which is what you want when you market any product.

[EyesWideOpen]

" But officer, I saw that TAT video where I could stay for two years on an overstay

and teach English. Why are you arresting me ?? "

[ExPratt]

It looks to me that in 2 years he got addicted to Crystal Meth and then smoothed it out with Xanax

[falangjim]

Ever since the Koh Tao murders, the Burmese stitch up, the RTP cover-up, and numerous other clown moves in the investigation, I really can't stand one thing coming out of the TAT. I watch this childish video,and think to myself: who gives a flying eff about some scruffy, white punk loser who can't manage his life overseas, but has to rely on "Thai kindness" for his comeback. I find it insulting for both Thais and foreigners. Oh, and thank you TAT for lowering the bar for qualified teachers here. I'm sure the MOE of Thailand is happy with your message. Personally, I'd never let my kid be taught by a jerk like that, fictional or otherwise.

For every TAT post about how wonderful Thailand is, (and it can be a wonderful place) I am also reminded of David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, who were brutally murdered on Koh Tao. I'm reminded and how the lack of a Thai justice system and corruption have let the real killers go free.

So stick that in your TAT pipe and smoke it!

Edited November 26, 2014 by falangjim

[expat_4_life]

Have you all seen the new video .... The way of Thai

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=275WLDjOd7M

[Finlaco]

Should be compulsory viewing in all Thai schools. U'd be amazed at the number o Thai people ignorant about their culture and unaware that they are a kind and generous people.

[wilcopops]

Yes as it shows how ALL authorities in Thailand do not hesitate to be duplicitous in their day to day activities.

I fail to see how conning the general international public helps the image of Thailand already damaged by murders and illegal medical care...it just dhows that TAT can be con-men too.

[wilcopops]

Should be compulsory viewing in all Thai schools. U'd be amazed at the number o Thai people ignorant about their culture and unaware that they are a kind and generous people.

Joking, right???

[lensta]

I guess the only way it can truly be deemed a success if suddenly planes loads of tourists arrive at the airport having seen the video and decided to go an holiday in Thailand.

What this video did do however, was get plenty of people talking about it, I think it was watched almost a million times on YouTube and was talked about right accross social media and on internet forums, which is what you want when you market any product.

Was it mainly Thais or Foreigners that watched the video? If it was mainly Thais then I don't see how this will help foreign tourist numbers

[englishoak]

Wow did I miss a tourist season or something because usually its after the figures come in before a campaigns effectiveness is hailed any good or not.

[klauskunkel]

The amazing world according to TAT, whatever they touch turns to gold (or at least rice)

[SOTIRIOS]

....so....'misrepresenting facts'............and.........'deceiving people'..........is the way to go....???

[kamahele]

This video is obviously not aimed at Farang who already live and perhaps work in Thailand. It is much like videos created in other countries to support tourism or paint a positive picture about a place and people. We can make fun of the unrealistic nature of the video but it has done its job and just about every other destination is doing the same thing. In the US we have frequent video placements and commercials for tourist destinations in Mexico. The Mexican tourism department doesn't' make a point of showing the drug wars raging just miles away from some of their famous beaches. Jamaica, beautiful beaches but no pictures of the poverty that affects much of the population. Great shopping at these mega malls in the middle east but no video of the stoning of gay people or women being arrested for driving or venturing out of the house without a male relative....

Unrealistic? Yup. Tourism authority did a good job? Yup.

[NextStationBangkok]

Please also interview and publish the stories of some Nigerians and South Africans who lost their passport in Thailand and looking for help ! Then you will know about real Thailand.

[thesetat2013]

I guess the only way it can truly be deemed a success if suddenly planes loads of tourists arrive at the airport having seen the video and decided to go an holiday in Thailand.

What this video did do however, was get plenty of people talking about it, I think it was watched almost a million times on YouTube and was talked about right accross social media and on internet forums, which is what you want when you market any product.

Was it mainly Thais or Foreigners that watched the video? If it was mainly Thais then I don't see how this will help foreign tourist numbers

Even if it was mainly foreigners watching it wont help. The truth is announced by TAT its a fake. The word will spread about this and people who believed it was real will be pissed they were duped.

It only created a stir with which will backfire upon TATs smiling face.

[wonder6281]

It pleased only one target audience .. Thais!

My wife liked it .. I saw it for what it is .. false.

She asked me why I didn't share it and I told her its not the truth and I will not involve my self with something that is untrue.

Conversation over.

Its obviously a video made in reaction to the Koh Tao incident given the setting.

Girl was lovely though, that was the best part.

[Fullstop]

Tourism Authority says.....

"The potential first time future travelers to Thailand swallowed our dodgy lies!"

The video was released by an anonymous YouTube account

Can't get dodgier than that.

[Choctastic]

Thought it was pretty good, apart from the stone-throwing. An angry Thai driver is to be feared.

[wabothai]

They obviously did not read the this forum.

I HAVE GIVEN UP ON tat.

[jabis]

The people infuriated by this video, or rather it's message, don't seem to understand guerilla marketing The video in itself is a huge marketing success - over 1,3 million views (hit 1 million in about 2 days) in a really short time. The video was short enough, ending was positive, everyone will feel warm and fuzzy - a definition of a 'feel good'-flick basically. The reaction to the campaign was propably well anticipated (re this whole thread) and thus spiking without TAT logos and official account they made prolly 95% more viewers, than they would've with them, thus the marketing campaign can be deemed success prior to evaluating it's real impact in tourism.

And commenting on the content; yeh - the stone throwing part was so way over the top, that I myself almost turned away from the monitor and started running towards the jungle

[Suradit69]

Well they nailed the first part perfectly. Farang solution to all problems: get angry, shout at people and throw things.

[csabo]

" But officer, I saw that TAT video where I could stay for two years on an overstay

and teach English. Why are you arresting me ?? "

Well said. Where is the follow up video? You know. The one of me standing in line at the embassy with tons of paperwork including proof of income and retirement, but being denied a retirement extension because I am under 50 regardless of the fact my only intension is to dump cash into the Thai economy.

[wabothai]

Anonymous U-tube account, and bares no indication..........you mdme hold the world outside Thailand for fooles?

A few days after the brilliant release tourists from all over the world took their vacation, cancelled their wintersport and stood in line (with a bag of stones) to book tickets to visit Utopia.

The clip reminds me of the friendly smiles when Thai ladies were standing in line to "borrow" money from me.

[Fat Haggis]

Maybe because the Age for a retirement visa is 50 ?

Why do you feel they should have made an exception for you if you don't meet the criteria(age) no matter how much money you're "dumping" on the economy?

If you have that much get an elite card till you do qualify for a retirement visa, what's so difficult about that?

[wabothai]

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Well they nailed the first part perfectly. Farang solution to all problems: get angry, shout at people and throw things.

Thai solution to all problems.......answer please ! think before you post.