Thailand: Happiness on command

BANGKOK – Big preparation was in the air all last week for the hosting of a mega party in Thailand to celebrate the return of happiness among Thai following months of political turbulences. Called “Thailand Happiness Street Festival”, the celebration was over the week end supposed to attract thousands of participants around Siam Square and the Rachaprasong area, where Bangkok’s most popular shopping malls are located. Concerts, street foods, pictures opportunities, small shops and parades were organized during the two days to celebrate the return of Bangkok ant Thailand to normalcy and the return of happiness for locals. The event and the message was conveyed to 900 Thai and Foreign media, which all travelled to Bangkok invited by the Tourism Authority of Thailand for a “Thailand’s Best Friends Forever Mega Fam Trip”. 
 

There was a speech delivered at the welcoming reception by Admiral Narong Pipatanasai, Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Navy and Deputy Chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) who oversees the tourism industry. He stated during his short speech that tourism is at the heart of the efforts set by the NCPO to bring back Thailand on the right track. The Admiral stated that although tourism means of course income for Thailand, it was not all about money only. “Tourism brings indeed happiness to people as they serve and welcome our foreign guests”, stated the Military.
 

They are indeed a lot of positive aspects over the military intervention. Particularly in the tourism field. The mosty important is the end of the political climax of violence which prevailed and scared away tourists. “I must say that we see booking back as people feel again safe in Thailand since the military took over last May”, said Eric Hallin, General Manager of the Rembrandt Hotel in the Sukhumvit area.
 

Since seizing power, the military managed to get rid of some problems supposedly impossible to solve before. Such as controlling and getting rid of the taxi mafia system in Phuket or at Bangkok airports; cleaning Phuket’s beaches from their unauthorized sellers; improving the efficiency of the tourism police. “The police has been instructed to bring back confidence and safety to our visitors”, added Admiral Narong Pipatanasai.
 

It is true that the message then had to be convey around the world to reaffirm that Thailand was safe and ready to welcome guests. But was a “Happiness Street Festival” really necessary to pass the message to the public? During the cocktail, a persistent rumour among guests was that the party has been ordered by the Military and the presence of the Admiral was certainly a sign… And about the festival itself. On Friday night, it was busy but not really a big hit. A couple of hundreds young viewers came on the central stage to scream with their favourite singer. And the shopping street looked quite deserted already after 9 pm despite the fact that it was opened up to midnight. Although the mood was festive, it was far of being the “a giant festival of happiness, joy, fun and Thai smiles” promised by the authorities. Let’s then just remember that Thailand is now peaceful and that spending a holiday is simply as fun and enjoyable as ever…