“Wiki Mission”: The Truth And Nothing But The Truth About Thailand

It’s a gem of an idea: The “construction” of the truth about Thailand. A positive, proactive censorship campaign so to say.

As Thailand will no longer block unwelcome websites. But enhance them. Truthfully.

I’m not talking about porn sites. But sites for you and me.

A new battle between the Thai authorities and the world’s online community is looming.

As the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launches a new online campaign against all the untruths about Thailand in the world of the unruly Internet.

According to the Bangkok Post TAT became the “Corrections Authority”:

“The Tourism Authority of Thailand has begun a new online campaign that includes a plan to “improve and edit all the information about Thailand” in the hundreds of articles about Thailand on Wikipedia, the popular online encyclopedia.”

“The project, with more targeted e-marketing, is expected to help travel suppliers increase their revenue and also create a better reputation for Thai tourism among travelers worldwide, according to Thapanee Kiatphaibool, assistant director of marketing information technology for the state agency.”

A main pillar of the campaign:

“The Wiki Mission for Thailand will attempt to involve travelers in improving and editing all of the information about Thailand on Wikipedia.org and on Wikitravel.org.”

Says the Post: “According to the official press release announcing the five part plan, the Wiki Mission for Thailand Tourism Project (will) improve and edit all the information about Thailand on www.wikipedia.org (all true facts) and www.wikitravel.org (the travel guide) targeting digital citizen, to make them have a better understanding of Thailand by uploading complete, accurate and up-to-date information on to the websites in order to promote tourism in Thailand.”

“TAT will be the first government agency in the world to set out a plan to try to change Wikipedia, which is set up in such a way to resist such a campaign.”

Glorious.

Another classic shot in the own foot.

A perfect outset for another collision course.

Remember the deplorable video our dear past government tried to ban from YouTube?

The attempt drew worldwide attention. Millions of people saw the offensive video – a video that nobody would have noticed if Thailand had just kept quiet.

Predicts the Post: “It could be interesting to watch the battle, if any develops, between the TAT and the world’s online community.”

If I may take a wild guess: Wikipedia will soon feature a weird Thailand you weren’t quite aware it even existed.

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Comments

One Response to ““Wiki Mission”: The Truth And Nothing But The Truth About Thailand”

MAC on June 15th, 2008 8.36 pm

Hey my advertising professor works for the TTT! That’s dumb of them to announce such a plan …

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