Thailand is no longer a cheap place for foreigners to holiday. As other SEA countries are creating better infrastructure, it will start to take the tourists away from the land of smiles to places where they get greater bang for their buck. There is safety concerns and wide spread corruption all around Thailand that is causing great concern for weary travellers. I'm not sure how they are going to change the current image anytime soon.

Since the army has taken over its much safter than before the coup. They are tackling corruption in a big way and they have cleaned up the beaches so you post is utter nonsense.

Tidying up those minor issues that are highly visible is a PR exercise. Tacking corruption and an archaic judicial system is another. Tackling corruption is not about finding coppers shot through the head, fallen from balconies or finding them missing. If this is your idea of a clean up then the face value PR campaign is working a treat on you. Good on the spin doctors for managing to create some believers amongst us then. Here I thought they were flailing big time.

So they want to create a good image for Thailand....

1. Get rid of corruption everywhere it exists.

2. Stop pretending everything's ok

3. Put people in important jobs that know what they doing and not just someone's mate

4. Accept that actually some foreign people can do the job a lot better than a Thai and use them

5. Get safety on the roads sorted out

6. When there is a criminal offence arrest the right people

7. Pay some attention to Thai's existing below the poverty level and help

8. Create a situation where your own people are not terrified of you and are free to have an opinion

9. Allow freedom speech providing it does not encourage violence

10. Forget about losing face. That went with the handling of events at Kho Tao

11. Be honest with your people

Could go on....

Oh....and how about a date for an election

This is a nice country but it could be a great one. Unfortunately in the last 6 or 7 months it's reputation has been dragged through the gutter and then dragged back again.

High profile occurrences have brought Thailand to the worlds attention but not in a good way.

The world is now watching and those of us who love this country are hoping someone has the guts to sort it all out.

The PM needs help and quick and not from a crony who tells him it will be ok in the end. As someone else mentioned here, get a non-Thai in to help him put together a meaningful package of reforms and policies that secure the country's future and the future of the 'non-elite' Thai's

Comments on moderation have been removed as well as the replies. A post talking about the specifics of prostitution has been removed.

will this include a full investigation of WHY so many are being stopped, searched and drug tested by the police in the Asoke-Tong Lor area?

Certainly, it is for your own protection in case some pickpocket (foreigner of course) put something illegal in your pocket without you knowing it.

Its not the image but the reality that needs changing..

You can't polish a turd......

But you can roll it in glitter

(Which is what they may just be trying to do)

Its not the image but the reality that needs changing..

"C'mon Somchai, help hold this pig whilst I apply the lipstick!"

OK I am going on now before it will even happen. Came back home today from my daily bicycle-ride, and meanwhile my wife was visited by people from the Amphue, who had a list of falangs here i Chaiyaphum, who they like to invite for a "get together" on the 9th of december out in a village some 15 km;s from here!

This list with me in it of course, was based on people who has a yellow book, According to my wife, these people told my wife to bring "falang" to the village, and also bring a camera and take nice pictures...I do not have a clue if this is the usual nonsens, or if there will be some treat like food or at least water, hahahaha!! I know 1 chair and bring camera,. that is all.....I am not sure at all if I even like to go..... But probably I will, need something to do also on the 9th of december, hahahaha!!

Glegolo

Thailand wants a better image, how about not searching foreigners for no reason, maybe arresting some ofnthe women scamming old farang out of their life savings, going after the Mafia, and actually doing something about corruption?

"OK I am going on now before it will even happen. Came back home today from my daily bicycle-ride, and meanwhile my wife was visited by people from the Amphue, who had a list of falangs here i Chaiyaphum, who they like to invite for a "get together" on the 9th of december out in a village some 15 km;s from here!"

Glegolo

It will be like the scene in the 1963 movie The Great Escape" where the recaptured POWs are invited to "stretch their legs".

Spend the money on a Thai campaign to teach the Thai people that tourists contribute money, and a lot of it, to the Thai economy.

Tourists are customers. Customers means jobs. Yes, some behave badly but most don't.

Protect tourists from bad police and criminals who try to cheat them ... like the jet ski scammers and bad taxi drivers who won't use meters.

You are wasting money on PR unless all you want is a one time customer (a Thai norm).

With social media alive and well and beyond control of the Thai government, Thailand can't hide the bad things that happen to tourists.

...campaigns = 'lip service'....

...I have read about a dozen slogans and campaigns to 'boost tourism'....in the past 6 months......

...on the other hand....we read 'jet ski scams still going on'.....

***(On that note, makes one wonder when you hear about jet ski accidents....would they go so far as to rig them.....to crash...I hope not....)

Image boosting campaign to create positive attitude for foreigners?

Here's and idea!

Return Thailand to the people and have an election.

Not only I will the rest of the world look at Thailand in a more positive light the economy will be much brighter to!

Do you really think the rest of the world gives a rat's what is going on in Thailand ? The average tourist who comes to Thailand probably knows nothing about the local politics or that there was a coup recently and martial law in place.

Most foreigners go to Thailand for cheap food, accommodation, shopping, booze and girls, no matter what party is in power.

The average Thai knows little about Democracy and politics and the only reason some of them would want an election is because of the cash reward they get for their bloody vote !

Most foreigners go to Thailand for......................don't forget the boys as well!

will this include a full investigation of WHY so many are being stopped, searched and drug tested by the police in the Asoke-Tong Lor area?

This is exactly the kind of issue which, if (or rather when) it gets into the mainstream press, will further destroy Thailands rep.

In the UK media recently there has been much negative coverage of Thailand, following the Kao Tao murder.

These searches have been going on for years and its surprising the subject has not been picked up earlier and even more surprising that many TV members didnt even know about it.

The first thing that needs to change (but wont) is they need to listen to tourists and follow up on any comments and complaints they might have. Unfortunately, as we all know, taking advice from foreigners is not on the Thai agenda.

The political situation is largely a non-issue with potential tourists. Being told they might have to pee into a pot definitely is.

PRD gears up on campaign for Thailand

BANGKOK, 2 December 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Public Relations (PRD) is gearing up on the positive image boosting campaign to create positive attitude for foreigners towards Thailand.

The Director-General of the Public Relations Department (PRD) Apinan Juntarungsri presided over the opening seminar on the integration of the public relations to foreign countries under the title ‘The Drive of Public Relations Plan for the practical implementation to create positive attitude in foreign target groups’ at the Century Park hotel.

He said that the PRD has the duty to send a positive image of Thailand to the world, and to let the capabilities of the nation be recognized globally.

He said that this seminar is an important platform to exchange ideas and gain new knowledge from experts in various fields, with the goal to boost positive recognition of the nation's image.

The PRD Director-General also said that Thailand will enter the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next year (2015). On the AEC, the government has prioritized on the preparation of the country's human resource in numerous aspects.

He said that the PRD is now providing knowledge and information through PRD’s media channel, including radio, TV, and the internet, to continually get the public ready for the changes with the commencement of the AEC integration.

-- NNT 2014-12-02

Well its really simple and i hope the PRD do read this.

Please inform your people to STOP killing, robbing, raping, beating and cheating tourists, once it stops then in less than 6 month Thailand will have a wonderful image.

All they ever do is talk, make stupid announcements that come to nothing and sit around in seminars and committees whilst foreigners are scammed, abused, searched, refused, raped, murdered and spoken for by official Thai sources.

Why don't these people shut their mouths and actually do something beneficial for foreigners instead of all this jabbering with head in the sand?

Answer: it's too much like real work, featuring enough competence to look in the mirror at themselves.

No wonder foreigners are so cynical, it's like a daily barrage of jokes just to troll us.

You said all i wanted to say.

Act like a leader in the ASEAN region by providing safety assurances for Tourists and Expats as a high priority item. The other stuff about Foreigners being overcharged etc is just part of the deal of going to all SEA countries except Singapore

will this include a full investigation of WHY so many are being stopped, searched and drug tested by the police in the Asoke-Tong Lor area?

I can't think of one other country in Asia where foreigners are stopped and ID demanded and fined if they are not carrying passports or other ID.

No-one would carry a passport around with them, it's just too risky.

Come to Thailand to experience the massive surge in random stops and intimidation, random urine testing in the streets, and vans that cruise around taking people to a hell-like prison if they don't have a passport on them. Those are the real stories recently, so that's what people should know in the west.

You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig! I wish them well but I suggest that they convey their plan to all departments. At the moment it seems that people in the chain are pulling in different directions.

Thailand at one time had: 1) cheap prices 2) unspoiled beaches 3) an exotic 'otherness'

1) it's not that cheap anymore - especially in the tourist areas 2) I think I'd probably cry if I went to Phi Phi nowadays 3) 7/11, MacDonalds, Tesco, and crowded roads are not exotic.

The problem is that they can't come up with anything to replace what they've lost. So they're left with just trying to market a spoiled product. A bit like the storage rice, really.

if politic, situation and people remain the same, it doesnt matter what you can publish or say....image will be the same!

Always looking for acceptance.

Just do the right thing by people, it's that easy.

I'd have more respect if they said "blow you, this is the way it is. Take it or leave it."

Instead it's always smoke & mirrors.

Image boosting campaign to create positive attitude for foreigners?

Here's and idea!

Return Thailand to the people and have an election.

Not only I will the rest of the world look at Thailand in a more positive light the economy will be much brighter to!

Do you really think the rest of the world gives a rat's what is going on in Thailand ? The average tourist who comes to Thailand probably knows nothing about the local politics or that there was a coup recently and martial law in place.

Most foreigners go to Thailand for cheap food, accommodation, shopping, booze and girls, no matter what party is in power.

The average Thai knows little about Democracy and politics and the only reason some of them would want an election is because of the cash reward they get for their bloody vote !

Patronising nonsense. The Thais have been fighting for democracy for decades and many travellers are highly politically aware and know about blood diamonds, human rights, eco tourism, democracy and other ethical issues. That you do not care about such matters or the Thai people is your business but you have no right to project your crass, immature view on to us all.

...campaigns = 'lip service'....

...I have read about a dozen slogans and campaigns to 'boost tourism'....in the past 6 months......

...on the other hand....we read 'jet ski scams still going on'.....

***(On that note, makes one wonder when you hear about jet ski accidents....would they go so far as to rig them.....to crash...I hope not....)

Does the name Vanessa Mae ring a bell?

It might help as well if falang didn't have to pay 3 and 4 times that of Thais to enter so many attractions! Blatant racism and wouldn't be allowed in Europe if Asians were charged more than everyone else.

Image boosting campaign to create positive attitude for foreigners?

Here's and idea!

Return Thailand to the people and have an election.

Not only I will the rest of the world look at Thailand in a more positive light the economy will be much brighter to!

Yes, the former daily political marches, random shootings & bombings, having to figure out which areas were safe and which to stay away from,... was SO much more alluring. If we could just go back to proxy rule by a foreign-based fugitive and his band of merry sycophants, there's no doubt foreigners could be enticed to return to Thailand by the millions.

PRD...must be frustrating to work in this department, knowing that as soon as a pristine image of Thailand is created, some politician will put his foot right through it, and you gotta start all over again...

Image boosting campaign to create positive attitude for foreigners?

Here's and idea!

Return Thailand to the people and have an election.

Not only I will the rest of the world look at Thailand in a more positive light the economy will be much brighter to!

Do you really think the rest of the world gives a rat's what is going on in Thailand ? The average tourist who comes to Thailand probably knows nothing about the local politics or that there was a coup recently and martial law in place.

Most foreigners go to Thailand for cheap food, accommodation, shopping, booze and girls, no matter what party is in power.

The average Thai knows little about Democracy and politics and the only reason some of them would want an election is because of the cash reward they get for their bloody vote !

Patronising nonsense. The Thais have been fighting for democracy for decades and many travellers are highly politically aware and know about blood diamonds, human rights, eco tourism, democracy and other ethical issues. That you do not care about such matters or the Thai people is your business but you have no right to project your crass, immature view on to us all.

Even as a volunteer, you may need a work permit to help in media censorship.

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Thailand is no longer a cheap place for foreigners to holiday. As other SEA countries are creating better infrastructure, it will start to take the tourists away from the land of smiles to places where they get greater bang for their buck. There is safety concerns and wide spread corruption all around Thailand that is causing great concern for weary travellers. I'm not sure how they are going to change the current image anytime soon.

Since the army has taken over its much safter than before the coup. They are tackling corruption in a big way and they have cleaned up the beaches so you post is utter nonsense.

Much safer? Prove it.... in any case this is unlikely to last long. As for the corruption.....it's just a changing of the guard. They'll be plenty of corruption to come.... mark my words. People are looking elsewhere as evidenced by the need for a PRD campaign. His post wasn't utter nonsense was it? It wasn't even nonsense.