In a new advertising campaign for Elite’s Nescafe coffee, giant billboards display locations where the Israeli traveler can obtain the popular staple. In one, Chabad of Bangkok’s small gocery store for basic items, next to their kosher restaurant which serves thousands of tourists each year, is highlighted. The billboard includes the address, phone number, and even a map of the area around the Chabad Center.
In a phone conversation with COLlive from Bangkok, Rabbi Yosef Kantor, the local Shliach, said the extra exposure does not cause him to be overly alarmed, even after the tragic terror attacks last month in Mumbai.
“Chabad of Bangkok is one of the most famous Chabad Centers in the world, and we are always high profile,” said Rabbi Kantor, “we are okay with the ad, even though we were not consulted about it by the Elite Corporation.”
Chabad of Thailand operates in the additional cities of Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Laos and Phuket. The Centers serve thousands of Israeli backpackers and tourists each year, who frequently visit Thailand after completing their service in the Israeli army.
