BANGKOK – With the tourist season approaching and international arrivals already down 15% from 2008 projections, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched a radical plan to use the current political unrest as a new attraction rather than a liability. Launched under the banner of “Thailand – Land of Living History” the TAT plans to promote the current clashes between the People’s Alliance for Democracy and the pro-PPP group currently named the UDD as an example of real-time cultural experience unique in Asia.
“With the global economy in downturn and Thailand’s politics making all the wrong kinds of headlines, we really had to think out of the box if we wanted to save the tourism sector,” explained Phornsiri Manoharn, TAT’s governor, at the formal launch of the campaign yesterday at the Dusit Thani Hotel. “So we decided to make lemons out of lemonade, as they say.”
She then unveiled a giant poster of a PAD supporter, clad in yellow, shaking a hand-clapper in one hand and wielding a golf club in the other. Beneath the image was the headline: “Thailand — We’ll Get Your Blood Pumping!” Other posters featured images of large marching PAD crowds under the quote “So You Say You Want A Revolution?” and heavily armed police firing teargas with the words “And You Thought Our Food Was Spicy!”
The PAD protests sites will now be referred to as the “Traditional Siamese Protest Costume Experience” in all TAT literature, which will promote daily tours to the occupied Government House. Souvenir yellow headbands and hand clappers will be included, as well as a traditional Thai protest lunch of khao pad or khao men gai in styrofoam containers. Tourists will be taught simple anti-Thaksin chants to help them experience the moment more authentically.
Additional tours include the Traffic Blocking Walking Tour, where visitors can experience the nightmare of Bangkok traffic made worse by their own self-righteous disregard; the Token PR Hospital Visit, where visitors can be photographed donating tiny amounts of money to the severely wounded; and the Propaganda Factory Tour of either Manager or the Nation, where tourists can write their own one-sided headlines for the next day’s edition. For those seeking a more leisurely itinerary, the TAT will offer tours of both the PPP-led parliament and the pro-government UDD, both of which involve doing almost nothing.
All tours will be free of charge for those staying at TAT partner hotels or who sign up for promotional THAI flights from select European and Asian cities from November 1 to January 15. Tours are also available a la carte to other tourists. Prices were not announced as of press time.
Although neither the PAD or PPP have officially endorsed the TAT program or signed on as official partners, both have informally agreed to co-operate and accommodate the tourist groups as a way to serve their own political ends. “It will help our side by spreading our message of democracy for all Thais and justice against criminals,” said PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul. A spokesperson for the UDD was later quoted saying the exact same thing.
