A popular Chinese toy character named Labubu is making waves in
Thailand's tourism industry. The fluffy, fanged monster mascot, created
by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung for Chinese company Pop Mart, recently
toured Bangkok as part of a campaign organized by the Tourism Authority
of Thailand and Pop Mart.
The four-day visit, which began on 1 July, saw a life-sized Labubu
mascot exploring Bangkok's landmarks and culture. The character, dressed
in traditional Thai costume, was named "Amazing Thailand Experience
Explorer" during a welcome ceremony at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanit stated that
"the monster mascot's trip is expected to help Thailand reach its goal
of 8 million Chinese visitors this year." The campaign aligns with
Thailand's recent visa waiver agreement with China, allowing Chinese
tourists to stay in the country for up to 60 days.
Labubu's popularity in Thailand has surged, partly due to K-pop star
Lisa Manobal's social media posts featuring the toy. However, this
popularity has also led to warnings about scams involving Labubu toys.
The Thai government said in a statement, "Labubu's adventures in
Thailand are expected to generate significant interest among Chinese
tourists, potentially attracting a large number of visitors in the long
run."
Pop Mart, the company behind Labubu, has been expanding its presence
in Southeast Asia, with 18 physical outlets across the region. The
company's international division president, Wen Deyi, told Global Times
that they expect Southeast Asia to become their "fastest-growing
market."
This campaign marks a precursor to next year's 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China.