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How it started:
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said during a seminar on February 16 that “The Eras Tour” was not coming to Thailand because Singapore’s government had a deal that she would not perform anywhere else in ASEAN.
He actually said “Asia,” but since his comment came right after her concerts in Japan and based on his earlier comments on X in June 2023, where he stated that Singapore was granted the exclusive right to arrange the concert in ASEAN, it could be deduced that the PM misspoke, and the government’s latest comments also suggested that he meant to say ASEAN, not Asia.
Apart from pointing out the deal, Srettha said that the deal also includes a grant of around US$2-3 million. He commended the Singapore government, stating that they were astute in coming up with the terms and lamented that he would have tried to strike a similar deal if he had known about it beforehand.
Singapore’s government replies:
Singapore’s Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth, Edwin Tong, said in Parliament on Monday that the grant provided to Anschutz Entertainment Group by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for Taylor Swift’s sold-out world concerts in the country was less than the US$2-3 million.
He also stated that the economic benefits to Singapore are expected to exceed the grant’s size, and due to business confidentiality reasons, he cannot disclose the specific size of the grant or its conditions.
In February, Maybank and Nomura told the Straits Times that the six concerts, attracting over 300,000 attendees in Singapore, could potentially generate more than $260 million in tourism revenue.
Edwin Tong also said the ministry is currently examining the confidentiality clauses within the contract between the Singapore Tourism Board and the promoter.
“Yes, there is a confidentiality agreement, and we will assess the terms and take the appropriate measures under advisement,” he said while responding to MP Usha Chandradas who asked whether there was a confidentiality clause and whether the Singapore government would take legal actions against those who breached it.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said during a press conference at the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit yesterday that Singapore’s agencies have made a deal for the multiple Grammy awards winner to come to Singapore and perform and to make Singapore her only stop in Southeast Asia.
He said there were certain incentives provided to her by the government’s tourism development fund to revive tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A deal was reached, and it has turned out to be a very successful arrangement,” he said.
“I do not see that as being unfriendly; sometimes one country makes a deal, and sometimes another country does,” he said.
“From Singapore’s point of view, it serves not just to grow the economy but also to bring in visitors and goodwill from all over the region. I don’t see why not,” he added.
(Vid via Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office)
Thai government’s clarification:
Government Spokesperson Chai Watcharong said yesterday that Srettha’s comments on February 16 were meant as admiration.
Chai said Srettha’s comments were meant to sincerely praise the Singaporean government for the move with no other intention.
Chai said the offering of the grant shows that the Singaporean government was proactive in its commitment to showing the promoter and the superstar’s team why they should organize the concerts in Singapore.
Chai said Srettha meant to say that countries promoting tourism, like Thailand, should observe Singapore’s strategies and should not be ashamed of their initiative to offer the grant for the concerts, as it is a normal business practice.
