A leading human rights group has called on Dunkin' Donuts to withdraw a "bizarre and racist" advertisement for chocolate doughnuts that shows a smiling woman in blackface makeup.
The Dunkin' Donuts franchise in Thailand launched a campaign earlier this month for its new "Charcoal Donut," featuring an image reminiscent of 19th and early 20th century American stereotypes for black people that are now considered offensive symbols of a racist era.
Human Rights Watch said Friday that it was shocked to see an American brand name running an advertising campaign that would draw "howls of outrage" if released in the United States.
Dunkin' Donuts' CEO in Thailand, Nadim Salhani, dismissed the criticism as "paranoid American thinking" and called it "absolutely ridiculous."
Well we have to accept "paranoid Thai thinking
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Thailand does it again.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Thailand to cash in on holiday cruise business
Thailand is tapping the holiday cruise service sector as a new revenue generating business for the country, a senior Commerce Ministry official said. Srirat Rastapana, director general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said the holiday cruise business has enjoyed an annual growth of 4.6 per cent. Cruise line companies have expanded their routes and ships to keep up with the rapid growth offering services to a number of countries in Asia including China, Japan, Taiwan, India and Thailand in the next five years. The largest number of tourists visited Thailand via two major cruise lines – Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruise (Carnival) – mainly between November and March. Each liner accommodates about 3,000 passengers. Ms Srirat said each passenger spends at least Bt6,000 per day and stays on shore at an average three to four days per visit, generating an annual revenue at Bt2.2 billion. It is quite possible that major cruise liners add Thailand to their holiday itineraries thanks to the kingdom’s reputable attractions, she said. She said Thailand should penetrate the new market by facilitating visitors with a one-stop service “Cruise Terminal” and other relevant services including customs procedures, accommodation, restaurants, transportation, tour guides, souvenir shops and onshore excursions. According to a 2012 report, the US holiday cruise service generated direct and indirect revenues at US$42 billion (Bt1.26 trillion) with more than 17 million customers. The average income of cruise holiday-maker was US$109,000 (Bt3.27 million) per family and the cruise service created 356,311 jobs.
Thailand Post to earn more profit from E-commerce
Thailand Post Company Limited is penetrating the E-commerce sector targeting to generate an additional Bt5 billion revenue annually, according to president Anusra Chittmittrapap. She said purchase through E-commerce has increased by 20 per cent, compelling Thailand Post to create an E-commerce application available for download on smartphones. She said Thailand Post would also extend its service to serve retail, small and medium businesses and deliver food under the OTOP scheme nationwide. Thailand Post should earn at least Bt19 billion, or a net profit of Bt1.2 billion, at the end of the year from the extended service, she said. She said the government’s high-speed train project would automatically improve postal delivery service which should take less time. Another project in Thailand Post’s pipeline is Post@Home – a programme in which postal carriers will collect payment for water, electricity and telephone bills from users as well as directly delivering welfare payments such as pensions to people at home.