Why Thailand’s soft power splash is out of step with reality
Thailand has launched a soft power initiative aimed at promoting 13 key industries, including tourism, food, film, and fashion, to strengthen its global presence, create jobs, attract investment, and expand economic influence. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra highlighted the importance of soft power and the government's commitment through the newly established National Soft Power Strategy Committee. This move follows efforts to promote Thai cooking and Thailand's rise to 39th place in the 2025 Global Soft Power Index.
However, the timing of this initiative clashes with widespread perceptions, particularly among the Chinese, that Thailand hasn't adequately addressed the growing problem of scam centers within its region. This juxtaposition raises questions about the initiative's effectiveness in improving Thailand's overall image and influence, as these negative perceptions could undermine the positive impact of the soft power campaign.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Thailand has launched a soft power initiative aimed at promoting 13 key industries, including tourism, food, film, and fashion, to strengthen its global presence, create jobs, attract investment, and expand economic influence. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra highlighted the importance of soft power and the government's commitment through the newly established National Soft Power Strategy Committee. This move follows efforts to promote Thai cooking and Thailand's rise to 39th place in the 2025 Global Soft Power Index.
However, the timing of this initiative clashes with widespread perceptions, particularly among the Chinese, that Thailand hasn't adequately addressed the growing problem of scam centers within its region. This juxtaposition raises questions about the initiative's effectiveness in improving Thailand's overall image and influence, as these negative perceptions could undermine the positive impact of the soft power campaign.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
