Govt links 'Lisa' smash hit to 'soft power' plan

Govt links 'Lisa' smash hit to 'soft power' plan

A woman looks at herself wearing 'rad klao' headgear while shopping in the Sam Peng area of Bangkok on Monday. Replicas of the headgear - similar to that featured by Thai-born K-pop singer Lalisa 'Lisa' Manoban of the girl group Blackpink, in her latest music video sensation - are selling like hot cakes. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
A woman looks at herself wearing 'rad klao' headgear while shopping in the Sam Peng area of Bangkok on Monday. Replicas of the headgear - similar to that featured by Thai-born K-pop singer Lalisa 'Lisa' Manoban of the girl group Blackpink, in her latest music video sensation - are selling like hot cakes. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has praised Thai-born K-pop singer Lalisa "Lisa" Manoban, a member of South Korean hit-band Blackpink, for featuring the Phanom Rung Stone Castle and Thai craftsmanship in the music video for the first single to be released from her maiden solo album Lalisa.

Lisa is the third member of Blackpink to make her solo debut, which features the title track Lalisa and another song titled Money. The first single, Lalisa, has amassed more than 100 million views on YouTube since its release on Friday.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana on Monday said that Gen Prayut expressed his readiness to promote the country's soft power to increase value in the creative economy following the phenomenal success of Lisa's latest music video.

"Gen Prayut admires success of Thai artists including individuals whose works reflect their dedication and determination to inspire many Thais in creative industries in arts, music and films," said Mr Thanakorn.

"The application of Thai culture to create soft power will help to increase economic value and spread the culture internationally."

The combination of traditional culture and new entertainment industries is also part of the government's bio-circular-green economy (BCG) development scheme.

Mr Thanakorn said Gen Prayut also believed this phenomenon will bolster the confidence of Thai industry and fashion design in applying Thai culture to be produced as merchandise to increase economic value.

The Thai market has already begun to expand into neighbouring countries, Mr Thanakorn said.

Gen Prayut also expressed his confidence that Thai creative economy will be successful as Thailand has its own traits in craftsmanship, traditions and tourism sites, as well as cultural identity in communities, he said.

The government had already begun promoting the creative economy in Thai crafts, music, visual and performing arts, films, publishing, broadcasting, software, advertising, design, architecture, fashion, food, traditional medicine and cultural tourism to gain more international traction prior to the pandemic, according to Mr Thanakorn.

Efforts are also underway to make similar strides in other potential cultural exports, such as Thai food, videos and films, fashion, Muay Thai boxing and traditional community lifestyles, the government spokesman added.

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