Apple’s advertisement in Thailand faced reactions.

Apple’s Advertisement in Thailand Sparks Major Backlash

Apple’s new advertisement, which tells the story of a family traveling in Thailand using Android phones, has faced significant backlash in Thailand. The advertisement drew attention for depicting Thailand as a backward, unsafe place filled with hygiene issues. The tragicomic situations experienced by the family, who are the protagonists of the ad, sparked debates among viewers.

Only a few hours after the ad was released, social media users and the public reacted to the negative messages contained in the advertisement, and as a result of this backlash, the ad was quickly pulled from broadcast. A social media publisher noted that the locations featured in the ad titled The Underdogs: OOO (Out Of Office) contained deliberately aged, likely AI-generated images. This publisher made comparisons by visiting similar locations in the real world, further strengthening the accusations that Apple sabotaged Thailand’s tourist image with completely fictional visuals.

Fake Thailand Created by Artificial Intelligence?

Although the scenes presented to viewers during the 10-minute duration of the ad were thought to represent a real experience of Thailand, it is currently impossible to access the video online due to the criticisms that led to its removal. Apple is actively trying to prevent the copying and sharing of this video, which resulted in the loss of all its customers in Thailand. However, images featured in the posts of those criticizing the video can easily be found. The only channel that was able to broadcast the video in a wide format was an Indian news channel; in this case, viewers had to listen to the voice of an Indian commentator.

The anger directed at the advertisement was not limited to social media. Legislators in Thailand also intervened, stating that the ad content humiliates the Thai people and sabotages Thai tourism, and they invited the Thai public to stop using Apple products. Following this chaos, it is expected that Apple will review both its advertising agency and the executives who approved the advertisements. It is easily understood that the visuals featured in the ad were completely artificially created by AI, from the airport to the main streets of Thailand.