Thai Kpop star Lalisa Manobal (Lisa of Blackpink) had an impressive debut with her new single "SaWaDiKa". The official MV reached 1 million views in the first 60 minutes and reached 70.8 million views after 24 hours of release.
The song puts Thai identity at the center of Lisa's latest solo project, combining familiar cultural images with music, fashion and modern image building. "SaWaDiKa" is also in her new EP called "PRESS PLAY".
This time, Lisa continues to choose Bangkok (Thailand) as the setting, but instead of the Yaowarat neighborhood that appeared in the "Rockstar" MV, she takes viewers to the famous Hua Lamphong train station with a long history.
In addition to Hua Lamphong train station, the MV is also a journey to explore many famous landmarks of Thailand such as the old central passenger terminal of Bangkok, Soi Charoen Khet 1 and Dib Bangkok neighborhoods, and the new modern contemporary art museum opened last year.
The MV "SaWaDiKa" combines elements such as Muay Thai, tuk-tuk and fashion mixing Thai influence with modern style, thereby bringing traditional, familiar images of the land of golden temples to the international public by expressing modernity.
Even the song title emphasizes the Thai element. "SaWaDiKa" is a stylized writing of the Thai salutation "sawasdee ka", turning a familiar salutation in Thai daily life into the name and central idea of the song aimed at international audiences.
The MV also introduces designs by famous Thai fashion houses, thereby honoring handicrafts and local textile materials in front of global fashion audiences.
The lyrics intertwine many elements associated with Thailand, including "Bangkok", the phrase "geng mak" meaning "very good/very good", along with the image of baht flowing into a bank account.
These details contribute to strengthening the connection between the song and Lisa's homeland, and can also create more international public interest in Thailand.
The combination of Thai, place names, cultural images and fashion continues to show that Lisa brings Thai origins to become a prominent part of international activities, but is expressed through the aesthetic language of modern pop music.
Previously, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Director General of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), welcomed Lisa's use of the Thai salutation as the song title.
Thank you Lisa very much. The phrase you are promoting further highlights the warmth and friendliness of the Thai people -sabasdee ka," she commented under the post announcing the song "SaWaDiKa" on the female singer's Instagram.
Lisa has held the role of "Amazing Thailand Ambassador" since taking on the task of tourism promotion in 2025. TAT appointed her as the country's representative on the international stage, contributing to introducing the characteristics and cultural identity of Thailand to global audiences.
The MV "SaWaDiKa" continues the image mark built through 2 previous solo products, in which Lisa both reserved prominent positions for Thai identity.
The debut solo MV "Lalisa" released in 2021 features traditional Thai costumes, images inspired by dance, musical elements with local colors and settings that evoke architecture of Buri Ram province, the female singer's homeland.
Lisa once shared that she actively suggested bringing Thai elements into the song, which was named after her real name.
To the MV "Rockstar" in 2024, this connection is brought into the modern Bangkok space. The MV uses Yaowarat street in the Chinese Quarter of the capital and many other locations in Bangkok as a prominent setting, bringing the streets of the city into a pop style with a futuristic feel.
