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Thailand Sends a Message to the World: We're Happy, How About You?

Thailand Sends a Message to the World: We're Happy, How About You?

Friday, July 25, 2014
BANGKOK: Thailand today will send out friendly invitations to travellers from around the world through the symbolic release of thousands of smiley faced balloons into the skies above Bangkok.

The ceremony will kick-start theThailand Happiness: Street Festival extravaganza, to be held over the weekend of July 25-26. This is part of a big-bang effort to entice tourists to visit the kingdom.

The Rama I and Ratchaprasong thoroughfares in the heart of Bangkok are to be transformed into a district of joy and celebration for two days.

Closed to traffic and open for fun, the walking streets will act as a symbol of the ''happiness'' of all Thai people as the kingdom works toward national reconciliation and reform. Under the theme 'Colour Your Life with Happiness,' two main events, Happiness Music and Happiness Street, will be held daily from 15.00-24.00 hrs.

The releasing of the thousands of smiley-faced balloons will take place on July, 25 at the opening ceremony, which will be presided over by Admiral Narong Pipatanasai, Deputy Head of The National Council for Peace and Order and Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy, Mr Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and various officials and representatives from different areas of Thai society as well as the thousands of Thai people and visitors crowding the streets.

More than 900 members of the international media as well as travel bloggers and tour agents from over 47 countries are being flown in to witness this extravaganza. In addition, TAT will send some fun and smiley faced e-invitation cards to 300,000 people from around the world.

Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of TAT said, ''The spectacular release of thousands of smiley-faced balloons will symbolise that Thailand is always ready to welcome tourists to the kingdom with friendly Thai smiles. And, as the event has been jointly organised by representatives of all the Thai people, it sends out a single message of unity and welcome.''

The Thailand Happiness: Street Festival opening ceremony and the releasing of thousands of smiley faced balloons into the skies above Bangkok will be broadcast live by Youtube Thailand in collaboration with TAT via www.Youtube.com/Thailand on July 25, from 15.00-22.00 hrs.

Everyone is invited to join in sharing the Thailand Happiness experience via social media channels, using #thailandhappiness.

Comments

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So the balloons were released at the opening ceremony on July 15th, presumably then to come down in all corners of the world announcing the event. TAT is issuing 300,000 invitations to people who they expect to arrive today and are flying in 900 members of media and travel organizations. How much will this cost TAT?

Posted by Pete on July 25, 2014 16:30

Editor Comment:

Apologies, that should be - and now is - July 25. The cost has been previously reported. It's not cheap.

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Great, more plastic trash in the oceans to go along with the plastic sentiments.

Posted by MediaWatcher on July 25, 2014 18:25

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Good grief, TAT really should take note that at the moment, many parts of Europe are on holiday enjoying blue skies and hot temperatures, and so many are quite happy enjoying the moment, therefore TAT's timing is a little bit off the mark. Perhaps if they chose a more appropriate time when people would be thinking about a tropical paradise destination, say on a cold and miserable day ?

Posted by reader on July 25, 2014 22:29

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And the TAT continue in their hair-brained ideas. Oh dear. Will they ever learn?

Posted by Duncan on July 26, 2014 10:26

Editor Comment:

You don't sound happy, Duncan.

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Until the protests started last October Thailand was the fastest growing long haul destination for tourists from the UK. Since then we got the distorted media reports about "the troubles", about the military intervention and resulting coup, but nothing about the improvements that have taken place and are continuing and absolutely as far as I can see nothing from TAT to promote Thailand, either on TV or in newspapers. Plenty from Malaysia and other S E countries and Australasia. I don't see any of the balloons released in Bangkok yesterday landing in my part of the UK nor can I see that kind of event being a cost effective way to increase tourism numbers from the UK or anywhere else to be honest. If the future for visitors to Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and other beach destinations is the natural beauty of those beaches then that is how they should be promoted not balloons in Bangkok. Come on TAT a bit more enthusiasm and imagination to support the massive changes that have taken place please.

Posted by Alan on July 26, 2014 12:59

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Only 2 countries I know of have mandatory happiness: Thailand and North Korea.

Posted by Rockderk on July 26, 2014 16:05

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How silly. A Thai tourism slogan without the word "amazing" in it. Can't see that working.

who are these "friends" of Thailand and forever what?

Posted by Barry on July 26, 2014 20:03

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Daily chart by The Economst: Economic development has little impact on happiness

http://econ.st/WFODQO

Posted by Sue on July 27, 2014 19:19


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