The Tourism Council called on Apple to explain its advertising that damaged Thailand’s image.

Satra Sripan revealed that the Tourism Committee will call Apple next week to explain. After the release of an advertisement that affects the soft power image of tourism, many Thai people are dissatisfied.

Date: August 1, 2024, Mr. Sattra Sripan, a member of the House of Representatives of Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, District 2, Songkhla Province. As a spokesperson for the Tourism Commission, the Tourism Commission invited Apple executives to explain the advertising case that affected the tourism industry in Thailand. This is because Apple, a world-class electronics brand, released a new advertisement. Thailand was used as the filming location and mentioned in the advertisement. The advertisement has been released all over the world.

The ad was widely discussed on social media, saying it was an ad that made Thailand look backward. Many citizens were dissatisfied with the underestimation of safety, including the backward public transportation system. In addition, the government’s main policy is to support soft power, but such ads have a great impact on Thailand’s image. Especially in terms of tourism, we have learned lessons from movies in the past, showing that there are kidnappings in Thailand. This has caused Chinese people to temporarily avoid traveling to Thailand.

The Tourism Authority also holds the same opinion. Many relevant agencies have remained silent on the matter. Therefore, it was decided to invite relevant organizations and institutions such as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Director of the Creative Economy Revitalization Bureau, and the Managing Director of Apple (Thailand) Co., Ltd. to come and explain to the committee.

“As one of the people who has been following the brand for a long time, I want to express my opinion to Apple. Thai people are extremely unhappy with this ad. If it is not corrected, they need to stop using Apple products. I want to start a campaign to get Thai people to stop using Apple products and get Thai people to use other brands.”