Reconciliation mascot reborn, but will it win over the public?
The freshly-redesigned mascot for national reconciliation, Nong Kiew Koi, inspired smiles from some as she was shown off on Thursday at Siam Square One. But whether the second try at a mascot that wins public approval achieved it goal is another matter.
“I didn’t recognise this mascot at first,” said Ailada Akkrajan, a 24-year-old university student, after she ran into the pink-clad mascot.
And that means that the mascot was probably not an effective way to create reconciliation, said Ailanda.
She urged the Defence Ministry to consider organising activities that people could do together as a means to promote harmony.
“And even if it prefers using the mascot, I think the mascot should stick out its pinky. That’s the easy way for Thais to recognise it’s about reconciling,” she said.
Though Ailada may not quite be impressed, the reconciliation-promotion team from the Defence Ministry has high hopes for the life-sized doll.
“We may not be able to create reconciliation in every person, but we want people to see us as a sign for reconciliation,” said the brand ambassador for Nong Kiew Koi, who dresses just like the mascot.
The Defence Ministry’s assistant spokesman, Colonel Wanchana Sawatdee, who is widely known for portraying King Naresuan in a movie, joined Nong Kiew Koi on Thursday.
He drew crowds and handed out copies of a social contract that the junta has been promoting for national reconciliation.
“I am here in the hope of creating a harmonious environment for the people who come around the area and to introduce Nong Kiew Koi to people,” Wanchana said.
According to him, the National Council for Peace and Order in fact has already completed the first phase of national reconciliation.
“It’s about reigning in turmoil in the country, which has finally faded away,” he said.
Wanchana said the second phase was about national reforms, and the third phase was about the implementation of the country’s national strategy.
Ministry spokesman Lt-General Kongcheep Trantrawanich said Nong Kiew Koi would become the “reconciliation ambassador” to promote love and unity among Thais and create awareness and understanding of the social contract.
