| Abstrakt: |
Thailand's pursuit of "soft power" through cultural exports like music and celebrity endorsements may backfire, as it could expose the repressive nature of the Thai state. While celebrities like Ed Sheeran bring attention to local attractions, they also risk highlighting the Thai government's use of hard power against critics and dissenters. Recent events, such as the arrest of journalists and a court ruling upholding the lese-majeste law, demonstrate the Thai state's heavy-handed tactics. If Thailand achieves cultural soft power, it is likely to be influenced by the country's history of violence and repression. [Extracted from the article] |
