SURVEYING DAMAGE TO THAILAND'S IMAGE
The situation in Bangkok has returned to normal, there are no protesters on the streets and there is no reason why anyone should postpone or cancel any planned trips to Bangkok or Thailand in general.
But once again Thailand's image in the global media (Monday's front pages from Malaysia, Spain and Portugal pictured here) has taken a major battering. The millions the Tourism Authority of Thailand paid following the November and December protests has ultimately been a waste.
The fallout will only become apparent in days and weeks but expect it to be deep and long-lasting. No amount of sweet-talking is going to change the views and opinions of most of the world. They look at Thailand, see the airport closures, see the burning buses and tanks, and look elsewhere.
I'm not blaming the global media because what happened made spectacular images. I know, I was outside Siam Paragon when the commandeered tanks were being removed. Those images tend to stick.
So where does Thailand go from here? The divisions remain despite the end of this particular battle. How long before they resurface?
3 comments:
I think of more telling import is the realization that if one googles "is Thailand a failed state?" there are several articles and white papers that show up, arguing that while it hasn't happened yet, not much keeps it from happening.
There's a certain carelessness, I think, that abounds at some levels of decision-making. Someone has decided that their march to power is more important than the shape of the country they seek to ultimately rule over.
The same thinking affects the leaders of Burma, North Korea, and Zimbabwe. That the ruckus ended the way that it did and when it did shows that not all is lost.
Hi, as a Northern Thai, I can say that it will suck harder before it gets better. That is as certain as my addiction to sticky rice. The eventual tipping point will be after the passing of the King. Without him, the country will fracture. Whatever will rise out of the ashes may not bear any semblance to what we now know as Thailand.
I'm thinking that the next campaign for Thai Tourism Authority should be "Thailand, we're not Afghanistan, and our women are hotter".
Heh, your live feed said I'm in Puyallup. Nah, Tacoma, you know, Seattle's southern neighbor with much lees hipsters and snobs:)
Hi BladeMonkey, thanks for your comments.
I think you're right that things will get worse before they get better, and I also like your idea for the next tourism campaign. It's got to be worth a try .. ;-)
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