Bangkok, 27 March, 2019 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) through its ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Market Division has launched the ‘ASEAN Pop Culture’ project, which aims to promote connectivity between Thailand and its neighbouring countries and position Thailand as the hub for that connectivity both for Thai and foreign tourists.
A series of ‘pop culture’ activities will be held in the Thai cities of Sukhothai, Chiang Rai and Trat, and the ASEAN cities of Mandalay in Myanmar and Battambang in Cambodia. These will feature famous artists from Thailand and the ASEAN region who will use their popularity and social media networks to stimulate arts and cultural activities in the focused areas.
The first of these initiatives took place in Sukhothai, in the province’s Sawankhalok district. TAT’s ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Market Division in cooperation with the TAT Sukhothai Office brought in artists from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia to create spectacular street art on the walls of buildings in the district’s old Chinese community.
The epic paintings they created reflect the ‘pop culture’ that is so popular, covering food, fashion, art, literature, music, sports, media and lifestyle activities.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said: “As well as promoting the sustainability of art and culture, the amazing street art that now adorns these buildings in Sukhothai’s Sawankhalok district also serves to amplify the city’s position as an emerging destination that is worth exploring in various aspects including traditions, way of life, and history. This fits perfectly with the TAT’s ‘Amazing Thailand Go Local’ campaign”.
It is hoped that the new street art created through the ‘ASEAN Pop Culture’ project’s first activity will attract more tourists to Sawankhalok, who want to use the street art as a ‘check-in’ feature to share with friends and followers on social media.
TAT’s ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Market Division is currently planning the next ‘ASEAN Pop Culture’ activities scheduled for Chiang Rai, Trat, Mandalay and Battambong.
