Apple Withdraws Controversial Ad in Thailand

Apple has issued a public apology and removed its recent advertisement, part of 'The Underdogs' series, after it was criticized for portraying Thailand in an outdated and negative light. The 10-minute video, which garnered over 5.5 million views, depicted scenes of old transportation and shabby accommodations, leading many to accuse Apple of reinforcing stereotypes about the country. The ad was intended to showcase Thai culture positively, yet it featured sepia-toned footage that many viewers felt misrepresented modern Thailand. Thai officials, including Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, initially praised the campaign as a potential tool for promoting tourism, but public backlash prompted a House committee to summon Apple executives for clarification. Critics have pointed out that the ad failed to reflect Thailand's modernization, with social media users contrasting its imagery with contemporary scenes of the country. Apple had previously disabled comments on the ad's YouTube page due to the overwhelming negative response.