Thai-born singer Lalisa "Lisa" Manoban, a member of K-pop group Blackpink, is not available to perform at the New Year countdown in Thailand.
In a statement in Thai and English, her South Korean management agency YG Entertainment reacted to "the news that Lisa Lalisa Manoban has confirmed to join the Countdown Event in Thailand".
"We are very grateful and honoured for such a proposal to appear, but unfortunately Lisa will not be able to attend the event. We hope that there should not be any confusion. Thank you."
Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the announcement was sent to the TAT's Seoul office.
The announcement by YG Entertainment was a blow for Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who had declared several times Thailand would invite the K-pop singer to appear in the New Year countdown in Phuket.
He said his ministry planned to spend about 100 million baht inviting Lisa and Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli to perform at the New Year countdown.
