Thai economy would rebound on army of rubber Prayuts

I beg to differ with this headline. Properly adapted, developed and marketed, these rubber figurines of the prime minister could become a cult sensation and a marketing smasheroo. Think about the Tamagotchis of recent memory. 

Some smart entrepreneur should start producing a multi-variegated line of Prayut dolls and toys. Aside from the rubber ones, you could have Prayut stuffed dolls (like teddy bears – call them Prayut bears) and battery-powered metal toys. Little girls could take their Prayut bears to bed with them to cuddle. I envision multiple models, as with Barbie dolls: the Military Prayut, in soldier’s uniform; the Diplomatic Prayut, in warm embrace with his counterpart, the Daniel Russel doll; the Isaan Prayut, in flip-flops, phaa khaomaa, morhom shirt and bamboo hat; the Happiness & Reconciliation Prayut, with a big smile and arms thrown open in loving welcome, adorned with hearts and smiley faces. The possibilities are endless. 

Little boys could play war games with their metal, battery-powered Prayut toys: the AK-47 Prayut, in combat gear, firing short bursts; the Tankmaster Prayut, mounted upon his tank and grinding through the jungle, crushing battalions of hapless foes beneath his iron treads; the Warrior Prayut, attacking a variety of generic enemies with an arsenal of weapons. These would give boys a multiplicity of role models to emulate.

If you really want to give a much-needed boost to the Thai economy, nothing will do it like marketing an imaginative line of Prayut dolls and toys. The dolls alone are bound to take their place in the illustrious history of iconic dolls like Barbie, Garfield, Snoopy, Doraemon and Hello Kitty. To appeal to the entire spectrum of Thai political opinion, the Abhisit doll, the Suthep doll and the Jatuporn doll would also not be lacking in fans. 

Go for it, you Thai entrepreneurs!

Constance Beasley