The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is the latest global crisis. This public health threat has affected the global economy and impacted on Thailand.
The kingdom’s tourism, manufacturing, export and consumer sectors have been severely hit; business owners are experiencing myriad problems. ICONSIAM – a designer destination on the banks of the Chao Phraya River – has met the government’s drive to stimulate the economy to cope with the crisis with a grand campaign “ICONSIAM, Thais Help Thais”, which aims to mobilise forces from the public and private sectors, as well as business operators.
The riverside mixed-use shopping destination is planning a menu of special sales and marketing promotions, along with a series of concerts by leading singers, between February and May this year. The roster starts with a grand tourism fair “Thais Traveling Thailand Are Cool” between 21 February and 1 March, where Thai tourism operators will be allowed to set up booths free of charge to sell their products and services.
Mr. Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, Managing Director of ICONSIAM Co Ltd, said that: “Concern about the spread of the novel coronavirus has impacted Thai business sectors, particularly following the substantial decline in the number of Chinese tourists. As a result, the Thai economic and social sectors have been seriously affected. ICONSIAM, therefore, has set aside more than 50- million baht in additional budget to fund an extensive campaign to help the country.
“ICONSIAM, Thais Help Thais” will host activities aimed at encouraging national unity. The goal is for Thais to help and support fellow Thais. The campaign covers four dimensions – Thais Travel Thailand, Thais Buy Thai Products, Thais Give to Thais, and Thais Value Thais. We aim to create an atmosphere favourable to domestic travel and shopping. These promotional activities aim to encourage Thai shoppers to spend more in a relaxing atmosphere created at ICONSIAM for tourists and locals alike.
“We hope the campaign will help Thai operators get over this crisis and stimulate the country’s economy and tourism sector, as well as restore declining consumer spending. This crisis represents a turning point where the country sees the need to help and support our compatriots. I believe that when the crisis eases, Thailand will resume its status as a leading destination for tourists from all over the world.”
Thais Travel Thailand: Tourism fair “Thai Thiew Thai Kue Thai Theh” from 21 Feb to 1 Mar
ICONSIAM is working with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to organise a tourism fair called “Thai Thiew Thai Kue Thai Theh” (Thais Traveling Thailand Are Cool) from 21 February to 1 March 2020. Thai tourism operators may set up booths free of charge at the fair, where they offer promotions at special prices. The offers include air tickets at discounted prices from Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and Thai Viet Jet. Also, leading hotels will offer discounted room rates and F&B coupons – including Dusit Thani Hotels and Resorts, Royal Orchid Sheraton, Millennium Hilton Bangkok, Montien Riverside, Grand Pacific Sovereign Resort & Spa Cha-am, Anantara Vacation Club, D Varee Jomtien Beach Pattaya, Deevana Plaza Krabi Aonang, and Deevana Krabi Resort. Discount packages for tours, boat rides, spas and tourist destinations will also be on offer. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the TAT, will take part in a showcase event on 21 February.
For Thai New Year, The Wonderful Grand Songkran Celebration Along the Chao Phraya will be held on 10-15 April at ICONSIAM. The event will be packed with art and cultural performances along with various entertainment activities to attract locals and tourists.
Thais Shop Thai-made Products: A big sales campaign – ICONSIAM Extreme Giveaways on 8 Feb to 1 Mar and S.O.S. Sale of ICONSIAM on 28 Feb to 1 Mar
ICONSIAM is creating an atmosphere to enliven shopping with a pair of exciting sales campaigns. In the ICONSIAM Extreme Giveaways promotion, every purchase reaching a required amount between 8 February and 1 March entitles the shopper to a free movie ticket and a Siam Gift Card coupon.
Moreover, all outlets inside the shopping mall will participate in the S.O.S. Sale of ICONSIAM campaign, which runs for just three days between 28 February and 1 March. Shops will offer discounts up to 90 per cent in addition to offering products at special prices or items available for conditional barter, and limited-time discounts. This is an opportunity for tenants to clear stock and offer new arrivals to customers.
At Sook Siam on the G floor of ICONSIAM, the “Thais Help Thais: Buy Thai-made Products” event is being held on 17 to 27 February. Select products from the country’s four regions are on sale at small-operators’ booths, featuring quality products and famous local foods from all 77 provinces nationwide. Also, the “Thais Help Thais: Goodies from Farms and Orchards”, held between 28 February and 4 March, will gather premium fresh produce from farms in Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. All of these goodies come directly from local farmers and orchard owners, cutting out any middlemen.
Thais Give to Thais: Artist Hearts for Korat, activities to offer assistance and encouragement
ICONSIAM is offering assistance and support to Thais affected by the recent tragedy in Nakhon Ratchasima. The exhibition “Thais Gives to Thais: Artist Hearts for Korat” is being held from 28 February to 15 March at ICONSIAM Art Space. Artists and their collaborators will join forces in holding various activities, including Meet the ICON, a shirt screen-printing and painting exhibition, where artworks will be offered for sale. Among the artists on display at the exhibition are Amrit Chusuwan, Sakwut Wisesmanee, Chalit Nakpawan, Sutee Kunavichayanont, and Chaichon Sawantaraj. Proceeds from the exhibition will go to a fund for the Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality of the north-eastern province.
ICONCRAFT, a forum inspired by Thai artisanship, will inspire pride in Thai creativity. The zone is on ICONSIAM’s fourth and fifth floor. ICONCRAFT works with the Kamlangjai Project under the Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, which offers a second chance and improved quality of life to inmates, convicts on probation and criminal defendants. The project promotes products made by inmates who have received vocational training in preparation for release in the hope that they do not become repeat offenders. Among the products available are meticulously crafted bags with smocking embroidery, quilt bags and crocheted bracelets.
Thais Value Thais: Glorifying inspirational stories of Thais who proudly contribute to society
Finally, ICONSIAM aims to honour the inspirational stories of Thais who have made significant contributions to society. This reflects ICONSIAM’s resolution through the concept YOU ARE THE ICON. In early February, customers were impressed by the story of security officer Uncle Kittitach Phramnak and his excellent service which became an overnight social media phenomenon bringing smiles to the faces of many of his compatriots. ICONSIAM will similarly promote Thais who make beneficial contributions to different spheres of society. Their praise-worthy, inspirational stories will be relayed to locals and people from around the world alike.
“The ICONSIAM Thais Help Thais campaign will hopefully encourage and inspire Thai business operators, so they can recover from the current crisis,” said Mr. Supoj. “We ask Thais to help fellow Thais by buying goods and services from Thai operators. ICONSIAM is glad to host this multi-sector collaborative effort in hopes of improving this gloomy period for businesses, particularly those in tourism.”
For further details and more information regarding special activities and promotions in the “ICONSIAM, Thais Help Thais” campaign, please visit www.iconsiam.com or call 1338.