I agree that Pornsak Sukhumvit is not such a good parody of Thai ways. When it comes to simply hilarious parody of hi-so affectation, Woody is surely the master! AW
”Clips from earlier in the day show army troops in hand-to-hand fighting with protesters on Rajadmanern Nok avenue, but they were not firing their guns. ”
There were a lot of reports of live ammunition being used in the early afternoon and several reports of gun shot wounds. Even Thai PBS at the time were reporting the use of live fire and were showing bullet holes in parked cars near where the trouble was taking place.
The use of tear gas which was being dropped from helicopters was also being reported by the main stream media.
”Nostitz you were almost always there during those sticky dangerous Red Shirts violent encounters . . . that’s what I could glean from all your testimonies (sworn or otherwise).”…………..
He was. I personally saw Nick virtually every day during the period of the troubles in April and May, and also at most of the events following the killings when people were coming out to protest against the murders.
Dunkley definitely didn’t seem quite himself being so “quirky and likeable” as you said.. Hopefully we will see more of that side of him in the future.
I’ve got to agree with some parts of comments 10 and 11, above – these clips tell us more about Singapore than they do about Thailand, and the tension surrounding ethnicity that exists between Singapore and its neighbors (and Singaporeans and their migrant workers). Yes, the accent isn’t a particularly “Thai” one – only in the lengthening and application of a falling tone at the end of many words rings slightly true.
But the “funny foreign/Asian accent” routine has had a history in other places, too, a history that’s tied up with Orientalism and racism (see the Japanese caricatures in the old “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” or the same in newer shows in Northern or Eastern Europe – e.g. Finland and Hungary’s “Noriko Show,” etc). One even sees it on Thai TV, when comedians adopt a “Burmese” accent. It would make a good study to see the Singaporean representations of Thailand (and Thai representations of Burma or Cambodia, etc., etc) in the light of an intra-Orient Orientalism.
Has anyone done this?
Finally, re: comment 11 and “inflated salaries.” As a foreigner working in a Singpaorean university, I gotta argue with you there – my RENT is inflated, not my salary…
The only thing the clips seem to prove is the lame state of comedy in Singapore.
Much more impressive would be a bit of self-parody in which Singporeans made fun of and laughed at themselves.
For example, 1. at their incomprehensible variety of English or 2. state persecution of the investigative reporter that revealed the horrors of capital punishment in Singapore to the world, or 3. general hypersensitivity to criticism such as the gag order on EU politicians barring them from making any comments while they were visiting Singapore, but at the same time sponsoring much academic work and publication that criticizes their Southeast Asian neighbors (great but hypocritical), or 4. the hurried attempts to to become best in the world in everything from advanced genetics to Southeast Asian studies by hiring famous westerners at inflated salaries.
A wealth of self-parody opportunities exist, it seems, but the reaction would much more likely be one of anger and censorship than in mai ben rai Thailand.
But thank you Limpeh for sharing. Great to get get wider perspective 🙂
The Burmese people especially those involved with NLD must be alert with the security of Ms Su Kyi,her life has been threatened before,so no one should take any chance with the current beautiful but empty talks.
Given the above, it is almost funny that the respective ombudsman, Mr. Pravich, insisted that, “The panel will propose rational solutions for the public. Their proposals will be based on facts, principles and neutrality without taking into account the conflicting currents within Thai society.” (Bangkok Post, February 19, 2012; web version
Surprise, surprise — nine of them are deeply involved in the yellow camp, while one of them has problems deciding where he stands. Needless to say, they are as strongly anti-Nitirat as they were in favor of the coup of 2006, and most of them collaborated with the coup plotters.
This appointment is a very bad joke indeed. It makes one wonder what the use of an Ombudsman is, who is supposed to be strongly neutral so that he might garner respect from all socio-political groups and space for action.
In the given case, a section of the yellow camp has acted to protect its own political interests regarding how the constitution will be amended. The institution of the Ombudsman has been severely damaged. If this particular ombudsman has any honor left he should draw the consequences and resign without delay. The group of adsvisors should be dissolved.
One would think that a PC chairperson as old as Prem knows what appropriate behavior in his position is. The only way to avoid damage to the monarchy at that time would have been his immediate dismissal (since Prem intended to play politics he should have resigned before he embarked on that course of action). Saying that he did not act in his capacity as PC president is just disingenuous. There is no such thing as a “private capacity” for a PC president. Besides, arguing the way the book does only serves to confirm that Prem’s behavior was bad, and that he had indeed actively participated in preparing the coup, which would in turn disqualify him from continuing to serve as PC chairperson.
“Still, it acknowledges that the council “has rather suddenly become the subject of much discussion” (p. 323), including allegations that privy councillors were involved in the 2006 coup. It does not deny this, but says that, if so, privy councillors would have been “acting in a private capacity” (p. 323). Prem’s well publicised talks to military units ahead of the coup “were not made in his capacity as Privy Council president” (p. 323).”
Perhaps someone should bring that to the attention of the person who appoints privy councillors
(who presumably has powers to dismiss as well as to appoint)
Do you ever notice that some people just have to complain about things? So what is wrong with a little seriously good humor? C’mon people loosen up a little and stop taking yourselves so seriously
As I noticed, and my wife was quick to point out to me, those videos do not show the Thai style of pronunciation, it is the Singaporean version of Thai style(and even more hilarious), such as Thais would say pawn not porn, for example. They never pronounce a r sound at the end of a consonant. My wife still struggles with that , even after 22 years, and having trained her in the teaching of phonics.
To be quiet for a long time may sometimes tell more than a statement.
The King seems to have recovered somehow recently. To see where his preferences are, just listen to his recent speeches. That’s not too hard to guess, it’s his power base – the military and the judiciary – and there is silence on their recent controversial actions.
He mentioned the military on par with the government in his short New Year speech ( both should work for the benefit of the people)
At most of his appearances since he moved to Sirirat he was swearing new judges in and admonished them to “uphold the law” . Most recently at the end of January, shown nationwide during the Royal News
After we have had a comedian show from Pornsak Sukhumvit making fun of Thais’ English and now we have Singlish here. I don’t get it – what do you (New Mandala) want to achieve?
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
For Singaporeans, Bangkok is the new Johor Bahru
I agree that Pornsak Sukhumvit is not such a good parody of Thai ways. When it comes to simply hilarious parody of hi-so affectation, Woody is surely the master! AW
Jory on Thai monarchy
”Clips from earlier in the day show army troops in hand-to-hand fighting with protesters on Rajadmanern Nok avenue, but they were not firing their guns. ”
There were a lot of reports of live ammunition being used in the early afternoon and several reports of gun shot wounds. Even Thai PBS at the time were reporting the use of live fire and were showing bullet holes in parked cars near where the trouble was taking place.
The use of tear gas which was being dropped from helicopters was also being reported by the main stream media.
”Nostitz you were almost always there during those sticky dangerous Red Shirts violent encounters . . . that’s what I could glean from all your testimonies (sworn or otherwise).”…………..
He was. I personally saw Nick virtually every day during the period of the troubles in April and May, and also at most of the events following the killings when people were coming out to protest against the murders.
Tango with the tatmadaw
Dunkley definitely didn’t seem quite himself being so “quirky and likeable” as you said.. Hopefully we will see more of that side of him in the future.
For Singaporeans, Bangkok is the new Johor Bahru
I’ve got to agree with some parts of comments 10 and 11, above – these clips tell us more about Singapore than they do about Thailand, and the tension surrounding ethnicity that exists between Singapore and its neighbors (and Singaporeans and their migrant workers). Yes, the accent isn’t a particularly “Thai” one – only in the lengthening and application of a falling tone at the end of many words rings slightly true.
But the “funny foreign/Asian accent” routine has had a history in other places, too, a history that’s tied up with Orientalism and racism (see the Japanese caricatures in the old “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” or the same in newer shows in Northern or Eastern Europe – e.g. Finland and Hungary’s “Noriko Show,” etc). One even sees it on Thai TV, when comedians adopt a “Burmese” accent. It would make a good study to see the Singaporean representations of Thailand (and Thai representations of Burma or Cambodia, etc., etc) in the light of an intra-Orient Orientalism.
Has anyone done this?
Finally, re: comment 11 and “inflated salaries.” As a foreigner working in a Singpaorean university, I gotta argue with you there – my RENT is inflated, not my salary…
Bangkok May 2010
I look forward to reading this book.
For Singaporeans, Bangkok is the new Johor Bahru
The only thing the clips seem to prove is the lame state of comedy in Singapore.
Much more impressive would be a bit of self-parody in which Singporeans made fun of and laughed at themselves.
For example, 1. at their incomprehensible variety of English or 2. state persecution of the investigative reporter that revealed the horrors of capital punishment in Singapore to the world, or 3. general hypersensitivity to criticism such as the gag order on EU politicians barring them from making any comments while they were visiting Singapore, but at the same time sponsoring much academic work and publication that criticizes their Southeast Asian neighbors (great but hypocritical), or 4. the hurried attempts to to become best in the world in everything from advanced genetics to Southeast Asian studies by hiring famous westerners at inflated salaries.
A wealth of self-parody opportunities exist, it seems, but the reaction would much more likely be one of anger and censorship than in mai ben rai Thailand.
But thank you Limpeh for sharing. Great to get get wider perspective 🙂
Aung San Suu Kyi’s house
The Burmese people especially those involved with NLD must be alert with the security of Ms Su Kyi,her life has been threatened before,so no one should take any chance with the current beautiful but empty talks.
Malaysia’s Islamic future
There is such a thing as insufficient evidence. Even though I doubt that they found any evidence of “attempts to subvert Muslims”.
Nitirat: monarchy, constitution and democracy
P.S.:
Given the above, it is almost funny that the respective ombudsman, Mr. Pravich, insisted that, “The panel will propose rational solutions for the public. Their proposals will be based on facts, principles and neutrality without taking into account the conflicting currents within Thai society.” (Bangkok Post, February 19, 2012; web version
Nitirat: monarchy, constitution and democracy
An Ombudsman has appointed ten academics to advise him on how to amend the constitution. See the link at
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Ten-more-legal-brains-to-advise-on-charter-ombudsm-30176251.html
Surprise, surprise — nine of them are deeply involved in the yellow camp, while one of them has problems deciding where he stands. Needless to say, they are as strongly anti-Nitirat as they were in favor of the coup of 2006, and most of them collaborated with the coup plotters.
This appointment is a very bad joke indeed. It makes one wonder what the use of an Ombudsman is, who is supposed to be strongly neutral so that he might garner respect from all socio-political groups and space for action.
In the given case, a section of the yellow camp has acted to protect its own political interests regarding how the constitution will be amended. The institution of the Ombudsman has been severely damaged. If this particular ombudsman has any honor left he should draw the consequences and resign without delay. The group of adsvisors should be dissolved.
Review of A Life’s Work
#120
One would think that a PC chairperson as old as Prem knows what appropriate behavior in his position is. The only way to avoid damage to the monarchy at that time would have been his immediate dismissal (since Prem intended to play politics he should have resigned before he embarked on that course of action). Saying that he did not act in his capacity as PC president is just disingenuous. There is no such thing as a “private capacity” for a PC president. Besides, arguing the way the book does only serves to confirm that Prem’s behavior was bad, and that he had indeed actively participated in preparing the coup, which would in turn disqualify him from continuing to serve as PC chairperson.
Review of A Life’s Work
“Still, it acknowledges that the council “has rather suddenly become the subject of much discussion” (p. 323), including allegations that privy councillors were involved in the 2006 coup. It does not deny this, but says that, if so, privy councillors would have been “acting in a private capacity” (p. 323). Prem’s well publicised talks to military units ahead of the coup “were not made in his capacity as Privy Council president” (p. 323).”
Perhaps someone should bring that to the attention of the person who appoints privy councillors
(who presumably has powers to dismiss as well as to appoint)
How corrupt can Malaysia get?
An amazing documentary by Canada’s 16X9 (like Australia’s Four Corners) chronicling the corruption by the Chief Minister of Sarawak and his family.
Sibeh Ah Beng returns
Do you ever notice that some people just have to complain about things? So what is wrong with a little seriously good humor? C’mon people loosen up a little and stop taking yourselves so seriously
For Singaporeans, Bangkok is the new Johor Bahru
As I noticed, and my wife was quick to point out to me, those videos do not show the Thai style of pronunciation, it is the Singaporean version of Thai style(and even more hilarious), such as Thais would say pawn not porn, for example. They never pronounce a r sound at the end of a consonant. My wife still struggles with that , even after 22 years, and having trained her in the teaching of phonics.
Another review of King Bhumibol’s life
Meant to say “Stop expressing my view above”
Another review of King Bhumibol’s life
Nattavud Pimpa,
Don’t ever tell me to express my view !
Mandala people don’t like fiction, rumor, gossip ?
They sure love “facts”, as presented on the website !
Jory on Thai monarchy
“Vichai N”:
Yes, I did once encounter armed Red Shirt militants, late night at May 14, 2010 (as i wrote at the time, comment 70: http://www.newmandala.org/2010/05/16/nick-nostitz-in-the-killing-zone/ ).
But then, i also encountered armed Yellow Shirt militants.
And by the way – again – no, not RPG’s, but M79.
Jory on Thai monarchy
To be quiet for a long time may sometimes tell more than a statement.
The King seems to have recovered somehow recently. To see where his preferences are, just listen to his recent speeches. That’s not too hard to guess, it’s his power base – the military and the judiciary – and there is silence on their recent controversial actions.
He mentioned the military on par with the government in his short New Year speech ( both should work for the benefit of the people)
At most of his appearances since he moved to Sirirat he was swearing new judges in and admonished them to “uphold the law” . Most recently at the end of January, shown nationwide during the Royal News
Sibeh Ah Beng returns
After we have had a comedian show from Pornsak Sukhumvit making fun of Thais’ English and now we have Singlish here. I don’t get it – what do you (New Mandala) want to achieve?