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No matter the outcome, we have these meme moments

Just when you thought the summer heat was at its peak, Thailand’s political climate is about to blow up as the much-awaited general election is this Sunday. But amidst all the seriousness, what’s a political event without a heaping serving of memes and jokes to lighten the mood? Guru By Bangkok Post scoured the internet for lighthearted moments of the election that not only are breaths of fresh air but also serve as jabs at ugly truths.

Political bromance

It’s not every day that you see an election campaign promoted through a man-on-man romance, but that’s exactly what the Thai Sang Thai party, spearheaded by Sudarat Keyuraphan, has done. In their online campaign, MP candidates Sirapob “Nick” Somphol and Narutchai “Pom” Bunnag are shaking things up with a short video portraying their (b)romantic moments while pressing the flesh in a local neighbourhood, complete with cheesy inner monologues befitting a rom-com. Sure, it may seem unconventional, but in a world where politics can be dry and predictable, it’s refreshing to see candidates thinking outside the box.

As the future of same-sex marriage in Thailand remains uncertain, the video campaign has faced backlash for allegedly “queerbaiting”. However, the party responded by showing its stance on supporting the LGBTQ+ community in implementing equal marriage while pushing forward the Thai boys’ love drama industry as one of the soft powers. To watch the video, visit bit.ly/3NYUgGA.

Parody campaign posters 

While the streets are swarmed with political campaign posters, keep an eye out for mischievous parodies in disguise! In Trang, a newlywed couple took advantage of a poster design and used it for their wedding venue signpost.

Meanwhile, in Phitsanulok, Wakakimi, a cat hotel and spa, joined in the fun with roadside posters promoting their services with catchphrases (or should I say catphrases) like “vote meow for a better life”, featuring silly cat portraits clawing their way into the hearts of voters. Awww.

Out of the woods

Getting up close and personal with voters took an unexpected turn for Potitawat “Champ” Pattanapongchai, a parliamentary candidate of the progressive Move Forward party in Surin, who got lost while trying to connect with the locals. The incident was captured on his car’s camera and went viral on TikTok, with a three-part video nano-series showing him wandering through the jungle. Despite being lost in the wilderness, the candidate remained undeterred and continued to engage in a conversation with his surroundings, addressing Mother Nature with thought-provoking questions. At one point, he exclaimed with a mixture of confusion and humour, “Who am I even talking to?!”. Thankfully, no response echoed from the depths of the wild. Check out his video via his TikTok account tiktok.com/@champoti.mf. 

In the AI multiverse

Step aside, Marvel multiverse! There’s a new alternate reality in town, courtesy of Thai artist BearHead and his series of captivating AI artworks titled “Election 66 In The Multiverse”. With cute chibi-style characters, Wes Anderson-inspired aesthetics and even a Star Wars-themed edition, prepare to have your imagination ignited as you explore a world where politics and pop culture collide. Check out at fb.com/BearHead1. Regardless of how you feel about Uncle Tu, he as an SD baby is really kayute.

Memes for the Election Commission of Thailand

Well done, Election Commission of Thailand (ECT), for once again keeping us on our toes after the early voting last week. We can’t help but wonder what other surprises the official election will bring. Forget modern technology, Thailand’s election commission is taking it back to the basics by reassembling ballot boxes from cardboard and carrying completed vote slips on rattan baskets like they were yesterday’s garbage. And let’s not forget the brilliant idea of securing a ballot cabinet with duct tape, leaving us nothing but concern over the B5.9 billion budget spent on this election. Instead of fanning the flames, let’s leave it to these memes to do the talking.  

Do you remember the artwork “Comedian” by Maurizio Cattelan, which featured a banana duct-taped to a wall, eaten by a hungry museum visitor? The online art community GroundControl created a similar piece that teases ECT’s high-security ballot cabinet. At the same time, the Japanese translation app TJGrammar has used the shape of the duct tape as one of the Kanji characters in their meme.

While the United Thai Nations party’s controversial laser campaign on the Rama VIII Bridge seems to be swept under the rug, Nuatair, a restaurant/memer, poked fun with their version, featuring their catchphrase on the bridge structure.

Democracy is served!

Whoever came up with Labkrung’s political meme should be commended for their originality and creativity. Lat Pla Khao’s favourite Isaan restaurant gives its signature dishes with a twist on political party names. Think of “Koi kai” (spicy raw meat salad) for the Move Forward party, “Palang pracha larb”’ (spicy salad with herb) for the Palang Pracharath party, “Bhum-jaew-thai” (northeastern style hot pot) for the Bhumjaithai party and “Prachathiphed” (minced duck salad with herb) for the Prachathipat party. The restaurant also displays its menu on a whiteboard while encouraging diners to vote for their favourite dishes, proving that democracy is not just a political concept but something that can be served and savoured at the dinner table.

Seven men and two women facing charges after protest to support detained teen turns violent

All nine suspects facing charges arising from a violent confrontation at the Samran Rat police station in Bangkok on Wednesday night have been granted bail.

The Criminal Court had agreed earlier on Friday to a police request that the seven men and two women be detained further while police complete their investigation. But it subsequently approved a defence request that the accused be released on bail of 25,000 baht each, to be put up by the Ratchaprasong Fund.

The demonstrators are facing charges of destruction of public property, trespassing at night and with weapons, and obstructing officials in the exercise of their duties, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. All nine were released late Friday afternoon from the police stations where they had been held.

The accused include Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon and Orawan “Bam” Phuphong, who earlier this year staged a 52-day hunger strike to press for the release of political prisoners and the abolition of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese-majeste law.

In a letter issued through a lawyer, one of the accused said that police officers used violence while making arrests on Wednesday night. Many said they were beaten and stomped on.

A policeman who tried to contain the situation was hit in the head and required seven stitches, further escalating the violence.

About 20 protesters had gathered at the Samran Rat station to demand justice for a 15-year-old girl who has been detained for more than 40 days on a charge of royal defamation under Section 112.

Angered that officers from the station were preparing to lay an additional charge against the teen, they splashed and sprayed paint at the station in Phra Nakhon district.

The group caused significant damage by breaking a glass door and defacing walls, passages and stairs at the station as well as police vehicles, police said.

The teenager known as Thanalop or “Yok” has been held at the Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Centre for Girls in Samphran district of Nakhon Pathom province since her arrest on a warrant for lese-majeste on March 28.

Prosecutors on Friday were seeking to have her detained for another 15 days while they continue gathering evidence in the case against her.

Yok released a statement on Facebook on Thursday saying that she was not asking for bail as she did not recognise the court process, and would not accept the lawyers that the court has appointed.

Seven men and two women facing charges after protest to support detained teen turns violent

All nine suspects facing charges arising from a violent confrontation at the Samran Rat police station in Bangkok on Wednesday night have been granted bail.

The Criminal Court had agreed earlier on Friday to a police request that the seven men and two women be detained further while police complete their investigation. But it subsequently approved a defence request that the accused be released on bail of 25,000 baht each, to be put up by the Ratchaprasong Fund.

The demonstrators are facing charges of destruction of public property, trespassing at night and with weapons, and obstructing officials in the exercise of their duties, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

In a letter issued through a lawyer, one of the accused said that police officers used violence while making arrests on Wednesday night. Many said they were beaten and stomped on.

A policeman who tried to contain the situation was hit in the head and required seven stitches, further escalating the violence.

About 20 protesters had gathered at the Samran Rat station to demand justice for a 15-year-old girl who has been detained for more than 40 days on a charge of royal defamation under Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

Angered that officers from the station were preparing to lay an additional charge against the teen, they splashed and sprayed paint at the station in Phra Nakhon district.

The group caused significant damage by breaking a glass door and defacing walls, passages and stairs at the station as well as police vehicles, police said.

The teenager known as Thanalop or “Yok” has been held at the Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Centre for Girls in Samphran district of Nakhon Pathom province since her arrest on a warrant for lese-majeste on March 28.

Prosecutors on Friday were seeking to have her detained for another 15 days while they continue gathering evidence in the case against her.

Yok released a statement on Facebook on Thursday saying that she was not asking for bail as she did not recognise the court process, and would not accept the lawyers that the court has appointed.

Group had been walking in prohibited area of Cape Promthep when wave struck

PHUKET: Three Russian tourists were rescued and one is missing after being swept into the sea by strong waves at the famous Cape Promthep in Muang district of this resort island province on Friday.

The four men had been walking along a prohibited zone at the cape in tambon Rawai on Friday morning when the incident occurred, said Pol Lt Col Sakkarin Anusamansakul, a tourist police inspector.

Of the four tourists, Yuriy Smyan, 32, was missing. A search operation was immediately launched for the missing man.

One of the rescued tourists sustained minor injuries and was sent to Dibuk Hospital in Muang district. 

According to Arun Solos, mayor of tambon Rawai municipality, the Narenthorn rescue centre was alerted about the incident at around 9.30am, and municipal officials boarded jet skis and inflatable boats to help. 

The search continues for the missing tourist. The municipality has coordinated with the Kusoltham rescue foundation and tourist police in the search efforts, said Mr Arun.

Suspects confess a customer would pay them 1,000 to 2,000 baht for each animal

PHETCHABURI: Six members of a wildlife trafficking gang were arrested and more than 10 macaques rescued near a hill in the Muang district on Friday morning.

Acting on a tip-off, the police arrived at the foothill of Khao Luang in tambon Thongchai and found a wildlife trafficking gang capturing long-tailed macaques in the area. The officers observed four men and two women using tranquiliser darts to capture the monkeys. 

All six were apprehended, and more than 10 macaques were saved. The authorities also seized a Ford Ranger pickup truck, a Toyota Prius, a Toyota Wish, 80 tranquilizer darts, a bag of animal feeds and other items from the group.

The arrested individuals were identified as Pakorn Suparb, 32, Thawatchai Ngorseng, 20, Thanaphol Sribordindecha, 47, Ms Noppawan Kaewsri, 29, Arwut Kohsraket, 31, and Ms Phatthathidarat Kribngern, 35. 

During questioning, the suspects confessed to travelling from Sa Kaeo province to capture macaques for a customer who would pay them 1,000 to 2,000 baht for each animal. They claimed that they did not know the buyer and that this was their first time.

The police charged the group with colluding to hunt wild animals without permission, illegal possession of wild animals and illegal trade of wildlife. They were handed over to tMuang police station in Phetchaburi for further legal action.

Mobile networks disrupted and “Democracy is Patani peace” banners hung in southern border provinces

Twenty-three locations in Thailand’s southernmost provinces were hit by arson attacks late on Thursday night, resulting in the torching of mobile phone antenna towers and power poles and the burning of tires.

The incidents occurred between 9pm and 11pm, officials said on Friday.

The affected areas included seven locations in Muang, Raman and Thanto districts of Yala; twelve locations in Muang, Nong Chik, Sai Buri, and Yarang districts of Pattani; and four locations in Muang, Rueso and Tak Bai districts of Narathiwat.

While mobile phone signals were briefly disrupted in some of the locations, there were no reports of blackouts.

Banners bearing the message “Democracy is Patani peace” were also hung in Chana, Na Thawi, Saba Yoi and Thepha districts of the nearby Songkhla province.