Lisa was announced as a tourism ambassador for Thailand in October 2025.
Thailand’s latest tourism campaign – featuring K-pop girl group Blackpink star Lisa – was supposed to be Ready For Love, but turned out to be Hard To Love for some, who feel that the images were generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
The original image shows the 28-year-old Thai artiste, whose real name is Lalisa Manobal, sitting on a wooden boat at the Red Lotus Sea, a tourist attraction in Thailand’s Udon Thani.
She was announced as a tourism ambassador for Thailand in October 2025.
However, some netizens left comments that were Pretty Savage, saying the publicity image looked AI-generated and unrealistic.
“It’s obvious that Lisa’s picture was cut out and pasted onto the image, it looks so fake,” a user commented on the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Facebook post showing the image.
Another asked if the photo was taken at the actual location.
But other netizens have Shut Down criticism of the campaign, with one asking why people are commenting on the lack of realism.
“Don’t people know that posters don’t need to be realistic? They just need to convey emotions and meaning,” the commenter wrote.
Another user replaced Lisa with Moo Deng, the famous pygmy hippo from Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Photo: X
The image also prompted netizens to edit and post their own versions of the poster.
One depicted the star-crossed lovers Jack and Rose from the 1997 hit movie Titanic, while another featured American actor Jason Momoa stylishly seated on the boat.
Another user replaced Lisa with Moo Deng, the famous pygmy hippo from Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
Thai brands also put their own spin on the trend, adding their mascots to the image.
In response to the trend, TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool was quoted by The Nation as saying that she viewed the phenomenon as an opportunity.
She added that memes were driving interest and that many people now wanted to ride a boat and visit the Red Lotus Sea.
In a social media post, TAT said the image is genuine and has been enhanced “for aesthetic purposes” in line with an established concept, and was designed by a team of professionals.
It added that all work complied with agreements and coordinated production with the artiste’s agency, and had been selected and approved with the aim of presenting the beauty of Thailand’s tourist attractions.
“The Tourism Authority of Thailand thanks everyone for their feedback and suggestions, and will use them to further improve communication and create a more positive image for artistes and Thailand,” it said. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
