A strategy to boost the regime's popularity and promote its reform efforts by courting big-name Thai celebrities appears to be working, according to a government minister.
Using famous stars as guests on the government's Thailand Moves Forward: Build Thailand Together TV programme, which was suffering from poor ratings, has invigorated the show and raised awareness on efforts to achieve reform, said Kobsak Pootrakul, Prime Minister's Office Minister.
The government struck deals with many celebrities, such as Thanapat "Film" Kawila, Tanawat "Pope" Wattanaputi, Sukollawat "Weir" Kanarot, Nittha "Mew" Jirayungyurn and used their popularity to boost the rating of the programme which promotes reform efforts.
Each celebrity is featured in a special section of the show.
Episodes featuring Nadech Kugimiya and Nittha as guests garnered high ratings, Mr Kobsak said, adding that the episode featuring Nittha garnered a total of 6 million viewers.
The minister said the celebrities who already appeared or were scheduled to appear will be invited to meet and receive a certificate from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha before a cabinet meeting scheduled for Sept 4 in a show of thanks for their help.
During the event a new monthly magazine called Hundred Stories detailing government projects and new songs composed by famous composers will also be unveiled, he said.
The government is using various methods to promote itself such as using social media accounts to reach out to the public and boost understanding of its efforts to introduce reform.
On Aug 23, the "Cute Side of Uncle Pom", a social media page which claims to be administered by fans of Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, was introduced.
Gen Prawit denies any involvement in the page which had garnered over 850 likes as of 7pm on Tuesday.
Accompanying each post is a statement stating the page was administered by Gen Prawit's supporters.
The page features a video about the luxury watches scandal. It apparently attempts to purport that watches in question were the property of a friend as Gen Prawit has claimed.
