National Image

[PeteC]

I'll give them an "A" for effort, but personally I'm not going to touch this one with a 10' pole. Pete

NATIONAL IMAGE
Public called on to define brand Thailand

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1 ... d-thailand

* Published: 4/09/2010 at 12:00 AM
* Newspaper section: News

The government is launching its "Thailand in your mind" project as part of an attempt to invite citizen input on how brand Thailand should be promoted internationally.

Always on our minds Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva presides over the opening ceremony of the ‘‘Thailand in Your Mind’’ campaign initiated by the Foreign Ministry to restore the country’s image in the eyes of the world community. The campaign encourages Thais to vote from now until Sept 24 for the image they want Thailand to project internationally. CHANAT KATANYU

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday presided over a ceremony to kick off the campaign at the Foreign Ministry.

The campaign urges citizens to vote for which image of Thailand they want the government to promote internationally. Four choices are offered:

- Thailand as a country of open-minded people with a positive attitude.

- Thailand as a country with local wisdom that is still open to the world.

- Thailand as the place where business, culture and nature converge into one destination.

- Thailand as a hub for investment and exemplary service.

Voting started yesterday and will continue until Sep 24, and can be done via the post, text messaging, and through many online venues including Facebook and Twitter. Full details are available on ThailandBranding.org

In addition, the Foreign Ministry has printed 4 million ballots for the project that are available at selected 7-Eleven, stores, Bangkok Bank branches, MK restaurants and Thailand Post.

The ministry will advertise the campaign through several media such as television, newspapers, local cable stations, stickers, billboards as well as conducting roadshows in provinces.

The results from the vote will be submitted to a committee on Thailand's image recovery and public relations headed by Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri, which will use them to devise a strategic plan.

Mr Abhisit said it is necessary to redeem Thailand's image in the eyes of foreigners, as the country has lost opportunities in trade, investment and tourism in recent years due to the political unrest.

"We will let the world know that the Thai economy is recovering and the country has returned to normalcy now.

"I would like to communicate to other countries that Thailand is ready to join in economic partnership with them," said Mr Abhisit.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said in order for a public relations campaign to be successful it must have contributions from people from all works of life, including those in state agencies, the private sector, as well as members of the general public.

"The Thailand in your mind project will let them vote for what they feel is the potential of the country. If we wish to see the country's image go in a particular direction, we should vote in order to make it come true," said Mr Kasit.

[margaretcarnes]

I'm afraid Khun Abhisit might get more than he bargains for. He needs to be prepared for some 'out of the box' comments - that is if any of the respondents are able to think 'out of the box' and write comments of their own!

[Spitfire]

- Thailand as a country of open-minded people with a positive attitude.

- Thailand as a country with local wisdom that is still open to the world.

- Thailand as the place where business, culture and nature converge into one destination.

- Thailand as a hub for investment and exemplary service.

Hmmmmm.............are we in the same country?

[lomuamart]

I'm not an Abhiist apologist, but maybe he's just trying to drag this country out of it's whatever....?

[PeteC]

I agree Lomu but smoke and mirrors also comes to mind. You have to get your house clean first before you present it to the world.

Nothing here has been solved or even addressed to any degree since the May incidents. Two or three reports in the news these past days of a another coup in October, or latest by year end. Large RS rally planned for Chiang Mai shortly. A couple M79 grenade attacks over the past two weeks. Definitive results of the autopsies on the May victims delayed.

It seems to me everyone is 'wishing' things to be better but doing little to make it happen. Like skidding down an icy hill in a car with no control and hoping you don't hit the wall at the bottom.

This new campaign and poll to me is nothing more than another face saving exercise and perk up the population scheme. I think Mags is spot on in that many Thai's will try to vent but I'm afraid the SMS and other avenues to vote only allow answers to the questions and no comments, although I haven't gotten the Thai web site translated yet. All very depressing to me. Pete

[Spitfire]

Yes, commendable words from all, I'm sure it seems simple from the safety of the ivory towers most of these politicians view things from and good on them for paying it lip-service.

You are right Mr L that he (Abhisit) may be trying to change stuff and I agree that he's actually quite good for Thailand but perhaps is having priority misappropriation issues (perhaps due to being unable to garner enough relevant support) on the sequence of issue importance or possibility of such said ideas to negate/validate a successful outcome.

I'm sure he has his enemies too who want to perpetuate the status quo, don't have to look far for them.

They all know what the problems really are.........and Pete is right about they should get their own house in order before presenting a lie to the world to mislead people just to "feed the beast" and prolong/perpetuate the present status.

There are so many good things to be said about Thailand but it needs some concerted and stiff "intervention" from brave politicians, to make it how they all pontificate and imagine it to be, or how it should be.

The longest road starts with the smallest step, just need some committed perseverance with desired results.

Just not sure if the political will exists to make a real change here.

However, I could be proved wrong and cynical, but struggle to see how sometimes. My apologies if this post is too strong.

[Big Boy]

I hate to say it, but IMHO he's just trying to follow the line that the Cameron/Clegg coalition. They've ask the voters to suggest the best way forward Unfortunately, suggestions are one thing; putting them into practice is something completely different.

At least they have somebody to blame when it all goes wrong.

[PeteC]

The wife had a quick look at the web site this morning. You have the four stated choices, plus #5 which is blank and you can fill in another idea. She saw no field for extensive comments though. Pete

[PeteC]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... -your-mind Pete

[guglielmo]

Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva instead of thinking of nonsense, to think of resigning his government of corrupt soldiers who are ruining Thailand today is no longer the country of smiles, tears of the nation, it takes a long time that tourism returns to Thailand. Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva should just write the date of the next election that once again the yellow lose, this should make the military