Monday, December 22 , 2008
These past few days have marked yet another change in our leadership which crucially affect Thailand's brand image.
The new Prime Minister's acceptance speech echoed the promise to local people and the world that our brand will be relaunched soon.
The past two years, and 2008 in particular, have done quite some damage to our credibility, our law-and-order system, our services, our goods and our commitment to live up the democracy.
They have also affected our character as a land of smiles, a peace-loving and mai pen rai place, which had been nurtured over the decades.
Our young new prime minister made sincere, convincing and fresh basic promised to the public and the world.
They brought palpable relief along with the anticipated new Cabinet mix as a team to restore and rejuvenate Thailand's brand image.
Now, so long as no tanks roll into the streets, we shall witness Thai democracy at its best, the amazing Thailand way.
The political battle was won by a new coalition, but the war has not been won yet in economic terms against the backdrop of world recession and more intensified competition in the red ocean of global free trade.
Our neighbours are moving ahead with the world as our growth engine becomes sluggish. We must improve our competitive positioning.
Redemption is in the hands of new government. We must do it today!
What's at stake is our country. The prime minister will find it a daunting task to manage and create change to turn our country's image around.
Key to success will be his leadership ability to rise to the challenge as a dynamic multitasker with unbiased dedication that will be the making of Mark ( his nickname ) and make his promises come true quickly.
His action must speak louder than his words. The power is on his side, and so is his team and youth, but time is running out. My advice to him is to make the next two weeks a festive season of positive change, when peo
ple can celebrate and unify for the love of their country, their King and their rights.
It's a New Year mode. I want good news for a change, to make Thailand sing a happy tune to welcome world travelers and investors, to revisit the campaign of "Welcome to Thailand and Feel the Changes"... yes, the changes, because over-the-top promises like Amazing Thailand do not go down very well with the international or Asian communities or the locals.
The Asean Summit is going to be a "People Summit", according to the Thai Asean secretariat ; the event itself the global dialogue session will be living proof and a cornerstone of "Welcome to Thailand and Feel the Changes". Let's make it happen here.
We owe the airlines and international travelers an apology for the takeover and disruption at the airports. Last but not least, we owe
all Thais more than an apology. We owe them hopes and dreams and opportunities for a better life, and most of all we owe ourselves the pride of being Thai.
Kitti Chambundabongse
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