Labubu is taking its long fluffy ears around Bangkok and discovering what the city has to offer in an effort to encourage Chinese tourism.
Thailand has welcomed many celebrities in its history, from singers and actors to royalty and government officials. Many have revelled in the country’s history, taken in its colourful culture, and been smitten by the hospitality and warmth of its people. But the Land of Smiles is welcoming a different kind of celebrity for the next few days: Labubu, the iconic Chinese doll that went viral after Blackpink’s Lisa posted a photo clutching one in her arms. There is, of course, a reason as to why the doll is taking a tour of Bangkok.
[Hero image: Pop Mart FB]
Labubu is touring Bangkok in hopes of attracting more Chinese tourists
The art doll’s visit to Thailand is a campaign organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Chinese toy company Pop Mart. According to Minister of Tourism and Sports Sermsak Pongpanit, the main aim of the campaign is to draw more Chinese tourists to the country. A report by The Nation says that the number of Chinese tourists hasn’t been the same since pre-Covid, which has resulted in the visa-free scheme and this campaign.
In its few days here, the Tourism Authority of Thailand says Labubu will consist of “five must-do activities in Bangkok”, all of which sound exciting and totally make a lot of sense: “Must East [sic] Thai food, Must See Thai cultural show, Must Seek Thai culture, Must Buy Thai fabrics, and Must Beat Muay Thai”. Labubu will be touring Bangkok until July 4. To commemorate the visit, Thai-themed Labubus will be released between September and October.
The fluffy long-eared doll is made by Kasing Lung, an artist in Hong Kong. Originally released back in 2015, the dolls saw a surge in popularity when Lisa from Blackpink posted herself clutching one on her social media. The hype got so big that the Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad had to issue a warning to the public to beware of fraudsters.
