Spa lends hand to curb corruption in Thailand

<p>Spa Advertising and the Thai government have teamed up to produce </p><p>the country's first anti-corruption campaign that will run in print and </p><p>on television for two years. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The ambitious campaign has received 17 million baht (about USdollars </p><p>400,000) in sponsorships and barter arrangements from corporate </p><p>heavyweights Boonrawd Brewery (Singha Beer), Siam Studio, Toshiba, The </p><p>Lottery Commission of Thailand, Channel 11, and Osotspa Company Limited </p><p>(energy drinks). </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Two television commercials are set to begin airing this month using dual </p><p>themes: "Enough is enough, don't give and don't take", and "What would </p><p>you like your children to grow up to be". </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The chairman of Spa Mr Kitti Chambundabongse said the plan was to use </p><p>all materials for twelve months initially and then produce new content </p><p>to freshen up the campaign before people tire of advertising </p><p>messages. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He said the campaign has a budget of 40 million baht per year for TVCs </p><p>and 10 million baht for print. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Three TVCs, three print adverts and three posters, stickers, leaflets, </p><p>hats, tee-shirts, and stationary comprise the total campaign. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Any budget shortfall will be made up by further donations from private </p><p>organisations and fund raising activities. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Mr Kitti claimed Spa was not making any revenue, let alone a profit, </p><p>from the project. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The company was committed to the process of cleaning up the country and </p><p>was not charging for creative work, artworks, or media commission, he </p><p>said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"I am personally committed to this project as a Thai citizen. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"It is going to take a hell of a long time to achieve a totally clean </p><p>Thailand or corruption-free society, but if we don't do it now, we never </p><p>will. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"It really makes one wonder why there has not been a campaign of this </p><p>nature in this country before," Mr Kitti said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He added that it was an honour to be able to take part in a campaign </p><p>that will make both advertising and political history. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"I am glad to be able to play any part at all," Mr Kitti, said. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He added that if successful, and should future governments retain the </p><p>political will to battle corruption, the campaign could continue for up </p><p>to five years. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>