The
Poojadkuan column in Manager
More from the Thai-language
press
The Manager newspaper has
a regular feature on the page page of the newspaper entitled Poojadkuan. This features sarcastic
articles and photo usually commenting on the political situation. Poojadkuan is a play on
words: The name of Manager in Thai is Poojadkarn,
but the sarcastic column is Poojadkuan, kuan
meaning to unnerve.
Thaksin's family and the petition - Poojadkuan [the comedy news section of Phujatkhan], August 5, 2009
The headline reads: The Shinawatra family reveals reason not to sign names in the petition to be offered to HM King - Not to draw superiors to be involved [meaning not to disturb the King] - The source reveals that the Shinawatra family (Thaksin's 3 children and Yaowapha Wongsawat)
expressed their opposing opinion to the red's attempt to submit a petition to HM King. The family says
that they are not agreeing with the case stating that they do not want the case to disturb HM King.
The signs they are holding are copies of the billboards put up by the Bhumjaithai Party opposing the petition. It reads: Stop the enlisting of names for the petition - Stop pulling down the sky [Idiom meaning "stop harassing your superiors." In recent years this has been used to refer to royalty] - Stop breaking up the rock [Idiom meaning "Stop damaging the country"] - Stop separating people
(Photo: Manager) |
Hillary responds to the Red Shirt letter - translated and summarized from Phujadkuan, July 16, 2009
This is an article from Phujadkuan, a comedy section on the back page of Manager (Phutjatkhan) newspaper.
It explains: The Red Shirts sent a letter to "Hillary" asking her not to come to the Asean summit meeting and meet with a terrorist [meaning FM Kasit who has been charged by the police for the December 2008 airport seizure].
Hillary answered "I will not accept a letter from a terrorist." [This means Hillary thinks the Red Shirts are terrorists.] |
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Yaowapa’s husband - Poojadkuan, September 18, 2008
It reads:
The new PM is worried that many will acknowledge him as "Yaowapa’s husband"
The men say: Excellency Yaowapa’s husband! Sawasdee
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PPP coalition partners - Poojadkuan, September 18, 2008
It reads: Draw the curtain on of plotted story of the People Power Party. - Those of you who are more shameless than Mr. Samak, please raise your hand high (laugh) [This is a criticism of the PPP coalition partners and factions who originally were not united in supporting Somchai as PM.]
Phujatkuan, September 1, 2008
NBT declares its new stance to present news without bias... turning to support the rally, but covers the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship rally [the pro-government DAAD rally] |
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Jaruvan stands with police in her house that was the target of attempted arson. The policeman says: The house’s electricity wires are not hooked up. How could we assume that the case is an electrical short like before. It is unacceptable!
[This is a joke referring to police blaming politically motivatived arson on electrical short circuits. After the coup there was a series of arson attacks against schools in the Northeast--apparently a warning from local TRT politicians that they support Thaksin and can cause trouble. At the time local police investigators meekly posited that the fires were all due to electrical short circuits.]
Two from Poojatkuan - August 15, 2008
Right: Pin-Ragez - consoles Thaksin “It is okay - You will become accustomed to it”
[The two men are Pin Jakkapark and Ragez Saksena, both men who sought asylum in the UK after being accused of crimes in Thailand.
Both were part of the failed Bangkok Bank of Commerce.] |
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Balding - Poojadkuan, May 15, 2008
Oh...ho... Anupong changes to a new hair style. He accepts that it is necessary when he travels with the P.M. [Commander-in-Chief Anupong, who has a close relationship with PM Samak, is somewhat balding. Recently Samak has publicly criticized a "balding man." The graphic makes a joke of the fact that Anupong would not want to be the balding man Samak refers to.] |
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Above: Poojadkuan, May 13, 2008 - The balding men from all over the country gather and ask Samak to mention who is really the "balding man"
Samak orders hunt for balding mystery man - Bangkok Post, May 12, 2008
[Another Thai "person who cannot be named." The "bald man" here is Piya Malakul Na Ayuthaya, who implied the book Royal Power was admired by royalty.]
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has instructed police to search for the ''man with the receding hairline'' who tried to sabotage the government and the royal family. Mr Samak said during his televised programme yesterday that the man was suspected of leaking news to instigate political divisions in the country...
More cannon polishing - Poojadkuan,
April 25, 2008
It reads: People resist
allowing Duang to polish the cannon in front of the Defense Ministry
for fear he will make the Payatani cannon go off [Payatani is the name
of the cannon.]
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Hey! - Poojadkuan, April 24, 2008
Samak feels bored at abusing people in the country so he goes
international to abuse the World Bank. [Samak, famous for his
opininated comments, has recently lashed out at the U.N. and the World
Bank.]
Rock attack - Poojadkuan, March 14, 2008
The headline reads: PAD is the new victim of stone throwing. The polices got the sketch and prepare to hunt all the gang members.
[This is a reference to the present dangerous craze of young people throwing stone into the windshields of passing cars. Here the joke is that major pro-Thaksin figures pictured at the bottom are behind an attack on Sondhi's van.]
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No Country for Old Maew - Poojadkuan, February 26, 2008
It reads: No country for old Maew - All get Oscar awards
Maew is the nickname of Thaksin
Left photo:
Chaloem, Thaksin and Noppadon
Right photo: Jakrapop Penkae's head on a woman's body |
Finance Ministers - Poojadkuan, February 5, 2008
Mak [Samak] proclaims that the Thai economy is in a coma. So he has to set a doctor and nurse to work in the Finance Ministry. [At left is Ranongrak Suwanchawee, a nurse appointed as Deputy Finance Minister. At right is Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee.] |
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| Thai humor: Bad TPI cement - Poojadkuan, October 8, 2007
Right: Noh [nickname of Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh] speaks loudly that ''TPI Portland cement is bad quality... Not enough was used on the party... and then the whole (thing) cracked."
[He is referring to TPI boss Prachai Leophairatana who is the head of the Machima faction. This faction recently broke with Sanoh's Pracharaj Party. Political parties and factions often are associated with very rich businesspersons.] |
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Thai humor: Thaksin amulet - August 3, 2007
Thaksin amulet: "This is Jatukamramathep of the series... Rich with no
reason...555"
A thread on the amulets is here. |
(Source: boringdays.com) |
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Choose the new C-in-C carefully! - Poojadkuan, September 6,
2007
Maew [Thaksin] warns Big Bang [Gen.
Sonthi] that if he does not select the new C-in-C carefully to be
careful. He may not have a land to live in.
[This is because Thaksin chose Gen. Sonthi and now Thaksin is an exile.
So if Sonthi chooses the wrong person he could end up in exile like
Thaksin.] |
Thai humor: Inconvenient Samak -
August 23, 2007
From Poojadkuan: The anchor warns that the world heat state will be in crisis if Palangprachachon Party is in government and Samak is the PM.
More on Samak |
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Thaksin's team - Poojadkuan, May 22, 2007
First mission of the Maewcity football team--
all teams join the PTV mob in Thailand. [Maew is the nickname of Thaksin]
The sign says "CNS get out " |
Thaksin drama - Poojadkuan, May 12, 2007
This is an altered ad for a Chinese television show and novel. The humorist has substituted Thaksin family members in the ad. It reads: The war to overthrow the throne of Jansongla. [Thaksin's house in Bangkok]
The first nonsense novel in Thailand written by Nor Nopparadrung. [The real person who wrote the actual story is Nor Nopparat. We are not sure of the joke of the new name--perhaps it just sounds funny.] - Starts on 8 May -
Shown only at Poojadkuan Theatre
Thai humor: CNS orders officers to beseech Jatukam Ramatep in case (PM) Surayuth is discouraged - April 17, 2007
[Jatukam Ramatep is the type of large amulet very popular right now. Poojadkuan is the humorous back page of the Manager newspaper.]
More on the airport runway - Poojadkuan, January 30, 2007
Right: Suggest that pilots practice driving cars on Bangkok road in order to get used to the runway at Suwannaphum. |
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News humor
Poojadkuan, January 15, 2007
CNS set to penalize the Police Chief.
If he can't find those who bombed central [Bangkok], no karaoke singing forever.
[The police chief and his aides were derided in the press for singing karaoke in Hat Yai on new year's eve while the bombings were taking place.] |
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News humor
Poojadkuan, December 25, 2006
The headline reads: Auy and Tharisa feel relief. Jiw will return.
Will see the baht touch 50 for sure. |
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"Auy" is the nickname of Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula
"Tharisa" is the Bank of Thailand Governor Tharisa Watanagase
"Jiw" is the nickname of Chaowalit Yongjaiyut
The headline is a sarcastic reference to Chaowalit Yongjaiyut's tenure as PM which saw the devaluation of the baht when it went from 25 to the dollar to almost 50.
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Jokes from Poojadkuan - November 17, 2006
Left: November 15 - The UN worries that (Aung San) Suu Kyi's face is in a state of disrepair... "should see a doctor urgently!" |
| Right: November 14 - Surayud gives a green light to Thaksin to come back, but on the condition that must come through the three southern provinces of Thailand. |
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Left: November 15 - Amazed! After three months of flooding people become a mutation. |
Poojadkuan, November 8, 2006 - NSC called Smit to meet urgently in order to prepare to set up equipment for checking the wave under the water (undercurrent). [Smit is the Thai official in charge of tsunami preparedness.]
Today's Poojadkuan
Poojadkuan, October 30, 2006 -
Pa [Prem] told Maew [nichname of Thaksin] through Or [nickname of Pojaman], "Don't come back home, son." |
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Today's Poojadkuan - Manager, September 15, 2006
Above "Toon’akarn", first panel: There is only one person who could whisper me one word and I will quit immediately...
Above, second panel:
That one is the fortuneteller E.T.
Above, at bottom: This is the truth.
[This is a reference to a quote from Thaksin in February 2006 when he said he would step down as PM if the King "whispered to me."]
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Left: Fortuneteller E.T. sends the signal to PAD, "Next month…you will win for sure." |
Today's Poojadkuan -
September 14, 2006
Right: The joke of Koizumi is more funny that Maew's. The Japanese leader made a bet on who will leave office first, Chen or Maew [Chen is the embattled Taiwanese PM, Maew is the nickname of PM Thaksin. The international press reported Thaksin's humorous remarks at the summit.]
Bottom right: "E.T. fortune teller" [Thaksin carries Burmese fortune teller ET in an almost too obvious parody.] |
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"ET" -
September 12, 2006
Asiper reports: As featured on the Nation Channel…last night and this morning (left).
Her name is E.T. (in Burmese language) She is blind, her leg and arm are atrophied, but she can forecast very correct. The big person and rich person often use her service and she charges at least 50,000 baht per time. She doesn’t speak English. People who go to ask her can only ask five questions.
For Thai people we know that the leader of Thailand, PM Thaksin went to see her and believes in her so much. It is believed that Thai rich person (the PM?) took her from Burma to Thailand sometimes. She forecasted for Mr. Tanchuoi, the leader of Burmese before.
This was also mentioned on 2B forum here. |
Front page
Komchadluek, September 8, 2006
Top: Ask for a return of Suanlum Night Plaza land - The asset office wants to take it back, but the sellers do not demolish and move out
Headline at bottom: Memorial to the former comrade - Shoot repeatedly in air with AKA and M16 firearms – Resounds at Nakorn Srithammarat Mountain
Caption: Memorial to comrades - The photo of memorial to former comrade ceremony at the People's Warrior Commemoration Monument at the mountain in Nakorn Srithammarat--where men wear green military suits with red stars and hold AKA firearms and M-16 guns openly.
Thai humor: Fake news - September 7, 2006
The headline reads: Poojadkuan is tense - The government launches fake media - Catching the readers (the man reads a newspaper with an advertisement for Samak's new program on the back)
[This is a reference to the discussion of "fake news" this week. "Fake news" is extreme or polarizing speech about political matters--common in the West, but a new phenomenon in Thailand where it is feared it can be used to stir up the passions of uninformed rural villagers.
The fears over
"fake news" was spurred by Samak's new satellite political commentary program and website which has been massively advertised in the Thai press. Another example of extreme political viewpoints on the anti-Thaksin is is ThaiInsider.com.]
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Thai humor: Charismatic people
is the cause of the famous head butt
- July 14, 2006
Poojadkuan jokes:
AP news center explained that the root cause of
Zidane knock Materazzi was because they disputed
about “who is the charismatic
person outside the constitution.”
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(Photo: Manager) |
(Photo: Manager)
Thai humor: Charismatic people at the
World Cup - July 5, 2006
Poojadkuan
jokes: Maew prepares to watch the World Cup. FIFA is afraid
he will reveal a ”charismatic person" is influencing
the World Cup. FIFA is fearful. The chairperson‘s
face is as yellow as turmeric after knowing that Maew
[nickname of PM Thaksin] plans to fly to watch World Cup
2006 in Germany. He is afraid of Maew will reveal the
"charismatic people" will be influencing the
World Cup to interfere and break the rules.
[Note: Thaksin today canceled
his trip to Germany. This is significant. We were predicting
a change of power in some fashion this coming weekend
(for various reasons)... Now it seems the peculiar announcement
of a trip and then canceling it may be designed to disrupt
any such change of power.]
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Thai humor: Giant pile of money
at Jaransanitwong 69 -
January 26, 2006
Poojadkuan jokes:
Bangkok: Lots of people are amazed and go to see
the money mountain that higher than the Golden
Mount by many times. After Shin Corp was sold
to Singapore for seven billion baht , the money
mountain appeared near Jaransanitwong 69. It is
expected that this will be a new favorite tourism
place in Thailand that will go down in history.
[Jaransanitwong 69 is the address
of PM Thaksin in Bangkok.]
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(Photo: Manager) |
Thai humor: Koreans
to teach Thai culture - January
6, 2006
Poojadkuan jokes:
The Culture Ministry approach "Daejungkuem"
[a Korean series that is very famous in Thailand]
to teach Thai people how to cook Thai food in order
to preserve Thai cooking after Natali [a Miss
Universe] taught Thai people to wai and say "sawadi."
[There is a popular perception that Thai people do
not know Thai culture at present. Because of the popularity
of the Korean series, it makes Thai people want to
know more about Korean culture and even learn how
to cook Korean food. Natali is well-known for liking
Thai ways and being a presenter of Thai culture.]
(Photo: Manager) |
Thai humor: Harry
Potter astonished why the magic of a Hogwarts
senior weakens after only five years -
January 4, 2006
Poojadkuan jokes:
At the government house: The junior from Hogwarts
revealed why the senior with the square face [PM
Thaksin] conjured up many things. The senior made
paper into money, made one million baht for each
village, make chicken into an SU-30 plane, etc.
This was because his morals were not enough so
he became "the wizard with weak magic."
["The wizard with weak magic" is what
the Thai press dubbed Thaksin during their year-end
roasting of the cabinet last month. The things
mentioned that were conjured up are some of the
government plans such as bond issues to fund projects,
giving one million baht to each village, and paying
for aircraft with Thai poultry.] |
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Thai humor:
Southern flooding - December
22, 2005
Poojadkuan jokes:
The PM regrets that the southern people were
hit by flood. He wonders why they did not select
the Thai Rak Thai Party in elections, otherwise
he would have come to help them before now.
Thai humor: Kongsak to use UBC
against 'Thailand Weekly'
- December 13, 2005
Humor page of Manager Daily--printed upside
down on the back page of the Lifestyle section.
The Poojadkuan column on
the page jokes: Interior Minister ACM Kongsak Wantana
combats Sondhi's political commentary TV show "Thailand
Weekly" on Friday by installing giant screens
in front of Sondhi's screen showing football matches
on UBC. [This is a reference to Kongsak's initiative
to provide free UBC cable TV football matches to
combat violence in the South.] |
Thai humor: Thaksin
celebrates - December 1, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Thaksin orders government house closed to cerebrate
because there is no Thailand Weekly program this
Friday. They will have a special menus such as tomyam
tangtak (tangtak = to be broke), yam nong
ngoohao, 'C-130 fall from heaven,' etc.
Thai humor: Why Thaksin
can't hear - November 29, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: The cause makes Maew goes deaf recently is not
due to jetlag, but he has listened to the Thailand
Weekly program for many weeks and is abused by Sonthi
making his ears go deaf and he loses energy.
(Photo: Manager) |
Thai humor: More cool ideas
- November 16, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Bangkok - Minister of Social Development
and Human Security has a cool idea again. This
time he prepares to use a 1000 watt spotlight
and go to bedrooms all over the country warning
all wives to prostrate themselves before their
husbands before sleeping. This is to preserve
good Thai culture.
[This is a combination of two recent ideas
put forth by government ministers--that spotlights
would be shined in the faces of people going into
hotels on Loy Krathong to discourage sexual activity
and that to preserve Thai culture, women should
revive the custom of prostrating themselves before
their husbands before sleeping. The Thai-language
press roundly denounced such proposals: Matichon
editorial: Thai-style working - November 14,
2005 and The
Nation editorial: End the media circus on
teen sex - November 14, 2005]
More Poojadkuan
columns |
Thai humor: Thaksin
wishes to takes over the Washington Post
- November 8, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: At the government house: Thaksin whispers Ar
Koo to corner the stock of the Washington Post
newspaper in order to muzzle it. This is because it
reveals the news of the secret prison in Thailand. [Earlier
this year, Paiboon Dumronchaitham or AR Koo' was involved
in a takeover attempt of Matichon and Bangkok
Post newspapers. It was widely believed he was acting
on behalf of the Prime Minister to control media critical
of the government.]
Thai humor: Thailand is number one in
press freedom - October 31,
2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: World media resets the level of freedom of the
press again and put Thailand in first place after they
watched the Daily Views
program of Samak and Dusit who abuse many people,
but are never been touched by the government.
Thai humor: PM to make two more new
provinces - October 21, 2005
This is a very hard-hitting joke from a patriotic Thai
perspective. Poojadkuan
jokes: Government house: The Prime Minister, Thaksin,
speeds to create two more provinces after finishing the
new Suwanabhumi Province. This is to compensate for the
three southern provinces (which have been lost).
Thai humor: Siberia
asked not to spread bird flu to Thailand
- October 21, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Public Health Ministry: Doctor Suchai sent an urgent
letter to the chief of birds in Siberia, Russia begging
him not to spread the bird flu to Thailand because he
could not control it. This is because the situation of
ambulance bidding is not finished yet. [This is a reference
to the controversial ambulance bids in Public Health Ministry.]
Thai humor: Mental health better when
the PM is not in the country -
October 12, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Psychiatrists revealed that Thai peoples’
mental health will be better during the one week when the
P.M. flew to Europe. Although the PM was only gone a short
time, he asked people to take all the happiness they can
after hearing bad words from the PM. But when the PM comes
back, we should put the cotton pad inside in our ears.
(Photo: Manager)
Thai Humor: Egrets vs. the vultures
- September 30, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Nong Ngoohao - The head of cattle egrets submitted
a letter to Minister Pongsak begging him not to chase them
from the airport and said the vultures are more of a danger.
If he wants to chase he has to use the same standard and
no discrimination because they (the cattle egrets) have
lived there for a long time. [The 'vultures' are a group
of people who take benefits or are corrupt in reference
to the many corruption scandals that surround the Suwanaphumi
airport project.]
Bangkok Airport news > BangkokAirport.info
Thai Humor: Printing the Royal Power book
for the State Audit Commission and Office of the Auditor-General
- September 28, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: “Pramuan” speeds to print the 8th edition
of the Royal Power book after it has sold well. This time
it will be distributed free to State Audit Commission (SAC)
and Office of the Auditor-General (OAC) with the object
to solve the correct way to fill the position of Auditor-General.
Moreover the size is enlarged to A4 size making it easy
to read and understand. [The joke is if they read the book
they will realize why the Auditor General candidate was
not accepted by The King.]
Thai
humor: Crazy Paiboon -
September 15, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Ar Koo accepted that a voice from heaven
ordered him to buy one Thai-language newspaper and
one English-language newspaper. The Department of
Mental Health prepare to send him to see the doctor
and is worried he may have mental illness. [They
have pasted Paiboon's face on the body of the lady
accused of stabbing students at St. John's School
recently.] |
(Photo: Manager) |
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Thai
humor: Buying Poojadkuan
- September 14, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: After the surprising news yesterday that
GMMM grabs Matichon-Post for 2600 million
baht, today GMMM declared it would buy another media--"Poojadkuan”
for 15 baht (repeat, only 15 baht). It is cheap
and worth it because the buyer will get Manager
as a bonus. |
(Photo: Manager) |
(Photo: Manager) |
Thai humor: The monkey that speaks
- July 7, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Poojadkuan has a scientist
to counter the PM after he talks insinuatingly to
media that it has weak point that it has no news to
print so when someone abuses the government or even
if a monkey speaks it will be the news. The scientist
confirmed that since primeval times, a monkey has
never spoken so when the monkey speaks abuse, it must
be big news. |
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Thai humor: Devils resign to
protest Chuwit - June 29,
2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Most of the devils who lead the souls of
dead men flocked together and resigned after knowing
Chuwit, party list M.P. of Chatthai Party, books
the first pit of hell. The atmosphere is quite serious--more
serious than an inferno. One of the devils in hell
said they afraid that Chuwit will change hell to
an entertainment place and he will disclose all
the secrets of hell.
[During the censure debate yesterday, MP Chuwit
said those who are corrupt go to hell. For the things
he has done--Chuwit ran massage parlors and bribed
police--he would go to the first level or hell.
However he said Suriya and other corrupt people
in the government would go to the lower levels of
hell.] |
(Photo: Manager) |
Thai humor: Apisit goes slow
- June 7, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Democrat Party - Chuan declares to quit and is confident
that Apisit can follow his way of working very slowly. Everyone
notices the CTX 9000 scandal. Although we know it is corruption,
Apisit is still sluggish. [Former Democrat leader and PM
Chuan is know for his extremely slow and cautious style.
The Democrats have also been slow to attack over the CTX
9000 scandal.]
(Photo: Manager) |
Thai humor: Sharing the money
and blame - June 6, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Jiw [Chaowalit], Tanong, Amnoay and Tharin
with in one accord to help Roengchai by sharing
money and accepting the guilt for the mistake of
losing 1.8 billion baht in the currency defense
of 1997. |
Thai humor: Turning off the PM's radio
show to save energy - June 3, 2005
Poojadkuan jokes: Bangkok - All Thai people should
work together to save energy by turning off the radio for
45 minutes at 8am every Saturday. Mr. Rakchat [the name
means love nation in Thai], a grocer, said if turning
off the electricity for 5 minutes will save energy, then
we will save more energy by turning off the radio at 8 o’clock
every Saturday for 45 minutes to save more. That is the
time for for “Thaksin Talks to the People" program.
Everyone who listens to him will get stress because he will
offer excuses for all problems.
Thai humor: Thirayuth impostor
- June 2, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Chasoengsao - Thaksin confirmed that the guy who
went to Nong-Ngoo Hao Airport was not Thirayuth because
he wore the shirt look like salesman. The genuine Thirayuth
must wear a waistcoat with a sweater. [This is because Thirayuth
usually wears wears a waistcoat with a sweater.]
Thai humor: Superhero of Thai democracy
- May 30, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Poojadkuan newspaper surveys people’s opinion
and found that 100% admired Snoh for his valiant behavior
and praise him as a superhero of Thai democracy. He is the
good example to fight for that which is right and funky
MPs should emulate him.
Thai humor: Drink coffee with the Democrats
- May 26, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Mark [nickname of Democrat Party leader Apisit] suggests
that Thai people drink more coffee in order to forget corruption
problems. They can drink cappuccino at the coffee place
of hi-society person like to go. This will cause you to
totally forget the corruption because you will worry about
the high cost of coffee at 80 baht. The other option is
to go to the Democrat coffee corner. We want you to have
relief. You can drink for free here, but we have one rule--don’t
talk to promote the Thai Rak Thai party.
Thai humor: Thaksin ignores the
house lizards - May 25, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Ban Jansongla [Thaksin’s house] - Thaksin
says he listens to all regular and non-regular academics--even
if a house lizard warned he also listened. But if
the house lizards give out a cry that is not true
Maew will not listen to them. They warn not to use
violence to solve problems in the south or the policy
of one village, one million baht fund, etc., but he
counters and abuses them that they are "regular."
[Thaksin calls people such as Theerayuth Boonmi, Ajarn
Jermsak Pinthong, Dr Praves Wasri who criticize him
often kraprajumor--the regular person. This
is to diminish the importance of their constant criticism.
Occasional critics are called khajorn.
A traditional Thai belief is that if when one goes
out of the house and hears the house lizard call,
it means they have to be careful when doing something.
Thus in this case the house lizard is "regular"
because it warns Thaksin every time he leaves the
house.] |
(Photo: Manager) |
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Thai humor: Visakhabucha day
at the casinos - May 24,
2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Poipet - Thai people perform wientien
[Visakhabucha ritual that involves walking three times
around a wat while making a vow or resolution] and
do merit on Visakhabucha day until they run out of
their money at casinos
in Poipet, Cambodia. One Thai revealed that he
likes doing merit although it is not Visakhabusha.
He often goes there [the casinos]. He performs wientien
many times and vows that if he is not rich he will
not quit from gambling.
Thai humor: The view
- May 20, 2005
Poojadkuan
(left) jokes: Thaksin compliments the view of Praprang
Wat Arunrajwararam, Chaopraya riverside. This angle
is the most beautiful in the world. He said he has
seen the view of this wat for many years, but the
most beautiful is the day of photographing of the
Miss Universe contestants in front of it. So do not
be serious, think optimistically that this is for
the promotion of Thailand tourism to the world. |
(Photo: Manager) |
Thai humor: Long nose
- May 19, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Ban Jansongla [Thaksin’s house] - Khunying
Pojjaman [PM's wife] is amazed that Thaksin has
changed because the more he speaks about corruption,
the longer his nose grows like Pinocchio. |
Thai humor: Thai people consent to believe
in Maew - "No bribery"
- May 18, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: A Poojadkuan poll that surveys Thai people all around
the country said 56% are afraid that Maew [nickname of PM
Thaksin] feels shameful and 44% feel shameful instead of
Maew. This is because there is lots of criticism of the
bribery in buying the CTX 9000 scanning machine and the
PM comes to explain this in his radio program. He insists
GE Invision state the government did nothing wrong. One
person said he feel shame instead of the PM because the
PM tries very hard to protect the prestige of the Thai government.
Thai humor: Places to inject olive
oil - May 13, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Doctors suggests the youth in Ayuthaya should
inject olive oil into their head in order to enlarge
their brains. This will nourish their brain to have
positive thinking rather than absorb thoughts about
sex only. [This week, the newspapers reported that
youth in Ayuthaya tried to enlarge their penises by
injecting them with olive oil that later went bad.] |
(Photo: Manager) |
Thai humor: Miss Universe as a cover for
the CTX scandal - May 12, 2005
Poojadkuan
- Bangkok : The real background of the Miss Universe competition
in Thailand is to cover up the mess surrounding the CTX
9000 scandal. There was advance knowledge that news of corruption
in the bomb detecting machine would come out at this time.
So they pushed to organize the Miss Universe contest in
Thailand by saying it would revive tourism in Thailand impacted
by the tsunami. This plan has achieved its goal already.
Meanwhile, Mr. Thanakorn, a Thai person, said that all kinds
of contests such as Tiffany contest, Mr. Universe contest,
etc. should be scheduled so that Thai people may forget
corruption news happening at the time.
Thai humor: Sinking house
- May 11, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: At the government house - Pathumthani people gather
to resist the new parliament building to be built in Pathumthani
province. They are afraid of the land sinking. The leader
said it should be build on the high level such as on the
mountain and when the land sinks, it will be on the same
level as the rest of the ground.
Thai humor: Thaksin's seven tricks of
happiness - May 10, 2005
Poojadkuan
jokes: Thai people believe in the PM to keep them in high
spirits, read corruption news and laugh at the same time.
Thaksin's seven tricks of happiness makes Thai people all
happy, bright and cheerful:
1. Let tension out of your heart because tension takes away
happiness such as when thinking about corruption at Nong-Ngoo
Hao [the new airport]. Don’t pay attention to it.
2. Let you heart release worry, do not be tense, and be
liberated from stupid payments--such as the contact with
GE Invision.
3. Be simple. Don’t let life be our boss. So stay overnight
at Nong-Ngoo Hao airport [Thaksin had a highly publicized
cabinet meeting there] or stay away from the distributor
companies that sell the scanning machines.
4. Expect little. If you expect too much and it is not a
success, you will be sad. Such as the investigation about
the detecting machine corruption.
5. Sacrifice a lot. Don’t think about advantage only.
Sometime we have to lose our prestige.
6. Be an optimist. Smile a lot. So if the foreigners blame
us for the corruption, don’t get angry. Just smile.
7. Believe in Thaksin. Follow as Thaksin says and everything
will be a success.
Thai humor: Gen. Sanan
- May 6, 2005
Poojadkuan
- The subordinates of Mahachon Party (only 2 MPs) agree
that Gen. Sanan is the best person to be a leader of the
party and he should also get the position of secretary,
spokesmen and treasurer of the party.
Thai humor: More patriotism -
May 9, 2005
Poojadkuan
- Maew [Thaksin] has a cool idea: “Respect the National
Flag six times a day.“ He cross-examines Thai people
saying they think about the Nation very little and this
is why our Nation has lots of corruption. So we should listen
to the National song more often, it can make people love
Nation more, and not worry that the Nation has corruption.
Thai wordplay: bomb detector salesman
or revolutionary? - May 5, 2005
Vorapoj Yostat or “Che” (his nickname) is the
owner of Patriot Business Consultants, distributor of the
bomb detecting machines involved in kickback allegations.
Poojadkuan
column jokes: "Che" counters the accusation that
he is the distributor of the x-ray detection machines. He
insists that he was never involved with this and his life
is for revolution only. He is willing to prove this by being
scanned by the x-ray machine. His heart is full of the red
color of revolution.
Thai humor: Minimum wage
- May 4, 2005
Poojadkuan:
Sanam Luang - On May Day workers from all around the country
gathered at Sanam Luang asking the PM for a higher minimum
wage at 233 baht per day--just enough to pay for a mobile
phone.
More Thai humor: Buffalo poll
- May 3, 2005
Poojadkuan
column today: Poll from a sample of 2500 buffalos from all
over the country shows that 98% believe the PM's explanation
that there was no corruption in the bomb detecting instruments
at the Nong-ngoo Hao Airport and 2% have no comment.
Thai humor: 'Rain' falls on Banharn
- April 26, 2005
Poojadkuan
said on April 26 that rain falls on Banharn at Jaransanitwong
57 Road (his residence). Not real rain, but spit from a
TRT member who blames Banharn when he speaks about 'big
rain' or vote buying. So it makes a flood and smells bad
on the road.
Banharn lives near Thaksin's house so people in that area
complain that the next time the TRT member speaks he should
use mouthwash.
When Banharn spoke about 'big rain' last
week he was referring to vote buying, but the Poojadkuan
column makes the joke that the retort to Baharn's accusations
is a 'big rain' or saliva from the mouth of a TRT member
[Thaksin] who protects TRT.
Thai sarcasm: Author axed from TRT
- April 25, 2005
The Poojadkuan column in Manager jokes that
Maew [Thaksin] suggested Pramuan read Using Power is
Natural for Humans after Pramuan was dropped as a TRT
deputy. [Pramuan Rujanaseri's book Using Power is Natural
for Humans was critical of the TRT system and embarrassed
the TRT leadership.]
Thai sarcasm: Suggestion for the terrorists - Manager
Online, April 8, 2005
From the Poojadkuan column today: Somkid (Somkid
Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance)
says, "One more bomb and the Thai economic will collapse."
Mr. Sama-ae Chode, the leader of the terrorists says "Thank
for your suggestion."
(Thanks to Asiper for helping to explain this article.)
Thai wordplay: Ostrich
terrorist - Manager
Online, April 7, 2005
Manager has a column entitled
Poojadkuan featuring a sarcastic article and
photo. In today's article they talk about Thaksin
being wrong to think of the terrorists as a small
group or jone krajok. Jone is thief
or terrorist and krajok means small or not
important or a small sparrow.
The article says Thaksin thought that he and government
can control the situation or suppress the terrorist
became he thought of them as a small group--compared
to a small bird or krajok, but now it became
a big bird--ostrich or krajokted. The article
also says the bomb in Hadyai is big like an ostrich's
egg.
Further wordplay is in the name of the series: The
name of the Manager is in Thai is Poojadkarn,
but the sarcastic series is Poojadkuan, kuan
meaning to unnerve. (Thanks to Asiper for helping
to explain this article.) |
(Photo: Manager) |
|
