Brand Hong Kong Sky Train launched in Bangkok

Hong Kong will be widely publicised in Bangkok following the launch today (July 31) of one of the Thai capital's famous Sky Trains carrying Hong Kong's visual identity.

The ceremony was performed by the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore, responsible for South East Asia, Mr Rex Chang.

The body of the Sky Train has been 'wrapped' in a Brand Hong Kong design comprising the visual identity - a stylised dragon, and the brandline 'Asia's world city'. Several large photographs of Hong Kong are also shown.

The Brand Hong Kong train, running on an elevated track through the heart of Bangkok, will be highly visible to some 300,000 passengers patronising the commuter system every day.

Bangkok residents as well as visitors to the city will also be able to see the Brand from ground level and nearby buildings as the train passes by.

Speaking after the launching ceremony, Mr Chang said the Brand Hong Kong programme was part of a global strategy to provide international audiences with an understanding of what Hong Kong offered as Asia's world city, as well as its unique advantages as a major city of China.

"This programme, and our new visual identity, will serve to assert to the world that the spirit of dynamism and openness that has made Hong Kong so successful remains a key asset of our community," said Mr Chang.

"The Hong Kong visual identity - a powerful and energetic dragon - is a modern design which communicates Hong Kong's link to an historical and cultural icon. The body of the dragon includes both the Chinese characters for Hong Kong as well as the letters 'HK', to signify a blend of East and West.

"The free-flowing lines of our dragon embody the free spirit of Hong Kong people and the core values that underpin our success as a society and economy -progressive, free, stable, opportunity and high quality.

"The visual identity's dynamic and contemporary rendering captures Hong Kong's passion to be daring and innovative, and its can-do approach in bringing visionary ideas to life. We hope the people of Thailand will like the dragon.

"Our ultimate objective is to make it instantly recognisable around the world as the symbol of Hong Kong."

Joining Mr Chang at the ceremony to launch the Brand Hong Kong Sky Train at Bangkok's National Stadium Station were Ms Vongthip Chumpani, President of the Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association and Mr Paul Anderson, the Chief Operating Officer of the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc.

The Brand Hong Kong Sky Train will run from now until September 30.

Photo 1: The Brand Hong Kong Sky Train decorated with the stylish dragon shuttles on elevated track in Bangkok.

Photo 2: Mr Rex Chang (centre), Director, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore; Ms Vongthip Chumpani, President, Thai-Hong Kong Trade Association (second from right) and Mr Paul Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc. cut a ribbon to launch the Brand Hong Kong Sky Train in Bangkok, Thailand.

End/Wednesday, July 31, 2002

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