[Ibrattnofich]

The following letter was in the Bangkok post this morning:

A unique and precious advertisement on TV

Every time I watch the truly inspired and inspiring Thai Life Insurance public service advert, Que Sera Sera, I get a lump of respectful pride in my throat. The gorgeous, smiling children from Srisangwan School, singing their hearts out, are the finest goodwill ambassadors imaginable.

Their unforgettable, very special message of ''que sera sera'' resonates with joyous rainbows day after day, complementing the Thai mai pen rai attitude about the future not being ours to see: just let whatever happens, happen.

The Doris Day hit song won the 1956 Oscar for Best Song, and the Phenomena Film production directed by Thanonchai Sornsrivichai deserves to be awarded as Best Commercial of 2552 (2009).

Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved.

DR CHANCHAI PRASERTSON

[Ibrattnofich]

When I was last in MBK center in January 2006, the disabled-accessible restroom was labeled the "Cripples room." It seems a lot of progress could be made in adopting more sensitive language. But then, I'm from California.

In English or Thai? Sometimes they just translate directly word by word to English without knowing what is politically correct or word sensitive.

[jimmy28]

I just happen to dislike the word 'cute' in general.

Ask any Thai person how they would describe the children in this video and I am sure you will here the word " narak ".
So are disabled children not allowed to be narak ?

[L8fGLM4d]

Not everyone will see the same thing in the same way because we all carry our own baggage.

knowing a little about David's baggage, it really makes me think - again - what message is going across in this commercial....

generally speaking, I often find insurance commercials creepy. they very often seem to suggest vaguely or more explicitly that if you have insurance, you can prevent or fix accidents and other calamities.

[brraverishhh]

mmmmm I just have seen this advertising on youtube.

the word "cute" did not come into my mind.

I do not know why

my eyes were full of tears.

[jimmy28]

Thanks for posting this video Steve. I found it quite moving especially as you can see the kids who have many different dissabilities singing together with real enthusiasm.
Many things make me cringe however this uplifting video certainly did not. As for using the word cute well I am astonished that anyone can find fault with that description.
If these were not children with varying dissabilities would anyone then object to them being called cute ? I think not. So I ask are Disabled children not allowed to be cute ?

[fetesiceWaist]

I find the inclusion of the reaction of the adults, particularly the crew towards the end of the video, to be a stroke of genius. I cannot watch it without becoming emotional and getting tears in my eyes. (but then again, I do cry watching X-Factor )
.
.

[jimmy28]

Back to the video in question,I have just seen it again on TGN and it is even more moving watching on a large screen tv than on a computer screen.

[Ibrattnofich]

FWIW the word that comes to mind for me when I watch it is 'cringe'...

David

I am not sure why you find it "cringe" worthy while so many people I know here saw it as uplifting. There has been some really good Thai commercials like this one that have been heart touching. I suppose it all depends on your own experience and what you have seen and heard before. Not everyone will see the same thing in the same way because we all carry our own baggage.

[pataagusata]

Betti: If you had been watching the Thai Tv/news over the past few days, you would have seen the interviews and live singing qualities of the actual kids in this video. Yes, it is them. It was their real voices.
God Bless them.

[VipInoLo]

It's good to see the old Doris Day song being sung in English specially for me with Thai subtitles for every one else. A very entertaining commercial, beats the short 30 second variety in Australia. Let every one know, every one who does good is equally important in this well and that goes specially for the disabled who are sometimes forgotten, so it's up to authorities to provide equal facilities for the disabled people as they do for the abled.
The only part I did not get was, what were they advertising, that part was in Thai.

[iNYZgxNC]

Dont try and tell me that did'nt put a lump in your throat, trully beautifull.

[pataagusata]

I’m no language expert, but I do know is that cute is cute. YouTube has featured in their 'Best Commercials' channel. Then, we have Ron over at www.2bangkok.com who has been promoting the video for the past few days as ‘super cute’. Call it whatever adjective you want, but David-Loves_Ubol, quote: “when I watch it is 'cringe'…” is taking it too far.

Is this ‘cringe’: a video of disabled kids, spastic, blind and deaf etc. singing? Is this ‘cringe’, a school for the disabled under the patronage of the King’s mother, Somdejya? Is this cringe, that Thailand’s disabled minority have suddenly got the attention of the nation via a ‘set-up’ commercial like this?

The forgotten minority Thailand’s disabled really are; my close sister-in-law is spastic – we send her money every month because she only gets 500 baht to live on each month from govt social welfare. My receptionist is also disabled, he too only gets 500 baht a month from the government – I try to help by giving him employment. Being disabled here in Thailand isn't like in the West; there is no comparison.

Cause you know what, being disabled in Thailand = social-stigma. And that means being born with bad karma. And that goes on to mean no future.

Cringe David/Ubol you may, terrible you may call it, but Thai Insurance Co.,ltd has helped make aware the plight of Thailand’s disabled in a very touching way. As for me, i cringe at crude comments made towards disabled Thai kids wanting to sing a song to help promote awareness to their cause.

[iNYZgxNC]

I don't find it "cute." (terrible word)

I think the children are worthy of praise and admiration and the ad is uplifting but cute is the wrong word(IMHO)

"cute".
I for one, dont find David's use of it offensive, but the complete opposit.
It goes with heart breaking, emotional, beautiful and many more.
Maurie

[OGOGOogoloshennya]

I guess I am alone in not finding it 'cute'...

David

[VipInoLo]

Well in movies, even if the actor is a good singer, the actor will record the song in a studio and mime the song in the the movie, but in most modern hollywood movies the singing is done by a singer and the acting is done by an actor, two separate people.

[brraverishhh]

(T..T)

Why I can not see it from the link here?

[OGOGOogoloshennya]

"cute".
I for one, dont find David's use of it offensive, but the complete opposit.
It goes with heart breaking, emotional, beautiful and many more.
Maurie

It wasn't me that brought in the word 'cute', it was there from the original post.

FWIW the word that comes to mind for me when I watch it is 'cringe'...

David

[L8fGLM4d]

I am pretty sure David is aware that being disabled is not a walk in the park in Thailand.
in this case, I would suggest we let him feel what he feels about this video. or maybe ask him "why".

I agree that disabled people need more attention and care and money. yes. I know about the problems, thank you. and on second thought, yes, it was timely and absolutely needed that an insurance company did something to promote the cause because many Thais know less about the problems of special needs children and adults than we do.

I just had doubts because I am suspecting it is not the disabled kids themselves singing, or if they are indeed, at what cost. I really wish I am wrong and the whole thing is just as "too perfect" as it looks. for me a little less perfect would have been more credible. that's all.

[iNYZgxNC]

Richard, are you saying they knew the words from the vidio clip, or from previouse learnings, like radio etc.