'Smartest lady' with a development theme

The new reality show hunting for “smart ladies” in Thailand will not have contestants singing, but will have them presenting development projects for their localities. 

On October 20, 12 women from different parts of the country will be short-listed to live in one house – the same house that “True Academy Fantasia” contestants live in – where they will get lessons on developing their communities. 

The contestants’ daily routine and activities will be televised 24-hours a day for a month on TrueVisions, with highlights aired every weekend on Modernine TV. 

Before the 12 contestants are chosen for the final round, each of the 1,200 women initially chosen will undergo strict tests before they can qualify to move into a house with hidden cameras on November 16. 

In the first round, the selection committee will consider answers provided for questions like: What do you think about the “Smart Lady” contest? Who do you consider is the country’s “smart lady”? And if you were given a chance to create three projects for women, what would they be? 

Once the 12 finalists set up house together, viewers will get to cast votes for the ladies they believe to be the smartest. 

This reality show is created by the government’s Thai Women’s Empowerment Fund.

Initially the plan was to organise a general-knowledge contest for women, the fund’s deputy director, Kanitta Kanjanarangsrinon, said.

“But upon brainstorming, we realised that there were a lot of contests for women in Thailand and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra did not just want a contest to find a winner and hand over an award. She wanted to see something different, like cultivating knowledge so all Thai women could learn together,” Kanitta said. 

The strategy of the Women’s Empowerment Fund focuses on women’s rights – creating opportunities and work, and developing capabilities. 

Also, initially the show was meant to be a pre-recorded one, but then the organisers changed their minds. 

“We believed that turning it into a reality TV show would motivate women to join the competition and get others to follow suit. Also, both the contestants and the audience would be learning something new,” she said. 

If this show succeeds, they will organise a second season. 

Though many activities in the show are difficult to complete, Kanitta is not worried that the show might become dull, as all the coaches are colourful personalities – plus a surprise or two are waiting for the viewers. 

The headmistress of the house is famous TV personality Mayura “Tuk” Savetsila and the deputy chosen for her is Sasithorn “Laura” Wattanakul. Tentatively, the coaches will include Pornthip Rojanasunand, Ornapa “Ma” Krisadee, proven genius Vanessa “Noodee” Race and Acharapan “Pa Ji” Paiboonsuwan. 

From time to time, Yingluck will be included as a special guest and might even show up at the contestants’ house for a visit. Naetchanok Wipatasilapin, deputy director of True Corp, said “Smart Lady” was different because competitors would not get thrown out of the competition every week. Instead, they would be given the same assignment and learn together until the end of the show. She said members of the audience would also get some tasks to complete. 

Naetchanok explained that every weekend contestants will have to present their projects until the winner is chosen in the last week. There will be five judges, but they are not allowed to be harsh – only constructive criticism is allowed. 

“Every contestant will get to choose a project and over the four weeks they will be taught how to turn it into a reality,” she said. 

Every week, contestants will be given a different task. In the first week, for instance, they will get to discover their capabilities and choose the most appropriate coach. In the second week – titled “Thinking and Learning” – they will get to learn how to create and manage their projects and budget.

In the third week, contestants need to come up with a plan on how they to implement their project, while in the last week they will be taught how to develop and apply their projects in real life. 

Though the audience can participate by voting for their favourite contestant, the votes will only count for 10 per cent of the total points as the coaches and contestants will have a final say on who is Thailand’s “smartest” lady.