Thailand: It's only in your mind

Published: 5/09/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

The government would like to rebrand Thailand, in accordance with the slogan "Thailand in your mind". Citizens are invited to vote on four choices: Thailand as a country of open-minded people with a positive attitude, or as a country with local wisdom that is still open to the world, or as the place where business, culture and nature converge into one destination, or as a hub for investment and exemplary service.

And why not?

Walk the streets, sit in the restaurants or dance at the clubs and you will see both young and old, and people from different corners of the world. You will see a melting pot.

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About the author

: Writer: Voranai Vanijaka; Position: Political and Social Commentator

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Your comments

IAN WENSOR

Discussion 66 : 11/09/2010 at 09:14 AM66
Vorani Vanijaka, your article was perfect... The image the government wants Thailand to portray belie things as they are and is hypocritical to say the least... They're the ones who have the power to rid the Kingdom of its warts and scabs but haven't. Far better had they first eliminated GRAFT, NEPOTISM, CORRUPTION AND XENOPHOBIA.
astonished

Discussion 65 : 10/09/2010 at 08:29 AM65
#58,
The address letter from Immigration is NOT free in all offices, going rate is 500 baht for the letter. It's utter stupidity a letter is required anyway if your address hasn't changed for 5yrs..but TIT
prometheus

Discussion 64 : 10/09/2010 at 05:39 AM64
Seems like lots of sad foreigners here, well,the same sort of media that portrays thailand as "dangerous, corrupt and xenophobic cesspit" are the ones who call Saddam Hussein an evil dictator, Iraqis evil, Iran wanting to seize the world, Africans in full poverty and always in constant war. Now, why should we give a damn ?
tom

Discussion 63 : 09/09/2010 at 08:33 PM63
Basic problem is Thailand thinks that by building an image you create the substance.

Works sometimes. A sandcastle other times.
Assie John

Discussion 62 : 09/09/2010 at 09:43 AM62
Hi downuber. I'm an Australian born to an immigrant who when she came was not rich. I myself am married to an immigrant who is far from rich. The visa for my wife is based on married. I understand Australian laws on immigration can be unfair in many circumstances. Yet my agrument is on immigration based on married to a national who supports their spouse. This is where the laws vary dramtically between Thailand and Australia.
zeitgeist

Discussion 61 : 09/09/2010 at 08:02 AM61
Thailand needs to take an honest look at it's international image first. Google gives 787,000 results for "Thailand scams" and 307,000 for "Bangkok scams". Try "Thai corruption" and see what you find.
David

Discussion 60 : 08/09/2010 at 04:58 PM60
The branding of Thailand is as ridiculous as trying to be a "hub" of everything, but ending up a hub of practically nothing. Leave the image building to the TAT, there TV campaign right now is great.
downunder

Discussion 59 : 08/09/2010 at 04:51 PM59
Bubba, my point was directed to Aussie John who paints a rosy picture of immigrants to Australia or any developed country. The first generation, coming from a different culture, not fluent in the language, more often than not, go through years of struggle - and not necessarily just against racism and prejudice.
And, yes, you raised the precise point why Australian, European etc. will not have reciprocal arrangements. Let's be honest here, they don't want the poor and uneducated - such as those coming by boat. Will Australia allow Thais to fly into the country without a visa?
Ed in bkk

Discussion 58 : 07/09/2010 at 08:25 AM58
How the Thai drivers license bureau doesn't accept that I report my address every ninety days and they give me an official stamped form. Yet I have to get an official notarized paper from the US embassy that gives my address. The Thai drivers bureau won't accept the Thai immigration paper....could it be that the Thai one is free, and I have to pay the embassy for theirs??maybe some sort of collusion??
from iPhone application.
Aussie John

Discussion 57 : 07/09/2010 at 05:47 AM57
Thais in the west are very connected within their communities. They own their own houses, businesses and even newspapers which advise them on all the opportunities their host country offers. Im still waiting for an explanation to why western embassies in thailand say nothing about the treatment of their nationals in the country. What gives.?

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Thailand: It's only in your mind | Bangkok Post: opinion