Blackpink's Lisa opts out as icon of Thailand's tourism reopening

BANGKOK -- The Thai government's desire to hire Lalisa Manobal, also known as Lisa of the K-pop girl band Blackpink, as the icon of the country's tourism revival has been shattered, as the Thai star's talent agency has turned down a request for her to co-star in a year-end event on the southern island of Phuket.