long live the king!
April 4, 2007 1:21 PM Subscribe
aww phuket.
posted by quarter waters and a bag of chips at 1:28 PM on April 4, 2007 [3 favorites]
posted by quarter waters and a bag of chips at 1:28 PM on April 4, 2007 [3 favorites]
Seriously... dude is kinda God-like over there. You just don't mess with him.
But you CAN jam with him!!!
posted by miss lynnster at 1:29 PM on April 4, 2007
But you CAN jam with him!!!
posted by miss lynnster at 1:29 PM on April 4, 2007
my buddy over there alerted me to this. i sent him a captured avi file of the video and his response was, "holy shit. god if thais ever saw that they'd riot! i just watched it and then threw it out and emptied the trash!".
posted by gman at 1:32 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by gman at 1:32 PM on April 4, 2007
So why are feet on the head so insulting?
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 1:39 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by These Premises Are Alarmed at 1:39 PM on April 4, 2007
let me get this straight. if i come right out here in public and say king bhumibol adulyadej is a poopyhead, will metafilter be banned in thailand?
anybody else catch the ominous implication of the last sentence of the article: the head censor is trying to id the poster. will google finger him?
posted by bruce at 1:40 PM on April 4, 2007
anybody else catch the ominous implication of the last sentence of the article: the head censor is trying to id the poster. will google finger him?
posted by bruce at 1:40 PM on April 4, 2007
Thai people consider the foot to be the dirtiest and lowest part of the body, and the head the most respected and highest part of the body. -wikipedia
posted by gman at 1:42 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by gman at 1:42 PM on April 4, 2007
every time one goes to a flick in thailand, you have to stand and watch any one of these.
posted by gman at 1:47 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by gman at 1:47 PM on April 4, 2007
There's been quite a discussion buzzing over here.
I was looking at youtube when the gov't censorship screen came up earlier today.
Can the poster of the video be identified by a user profile?
posted by jaruwaan at 1:53 PM on April 4, 2007
I was looking at youtube when the gov't censorship screen came up earlier today.
Can the poster of the video be identified by a user profile?
posted by jaruwaan at 1:53 PM on April 4, 2007
Katoey
posted by Gnostic Novelist at 2:20 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by Gnostic Novelist at 2:20 PM on April 4, 2007
I try not to see Asian societies as insect hives. I am going to try really hard now.
posted by telstar at 2:28 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by telstar at 2:28 PM on April 4, 2007
The youtube comments are the kicker.
You animal of the West, I can't find any human word to define what you have done because this is not what living thing can do.
If I compare you to a dog, all the dogs in this world would cry with deeply sadness to be compared with something as low as you, who that never know what is loyalty.
If I call you dirty pig, the pigs in this world would stop breathing at once cause it can't stand for your smelly rotten brain and mind.
posted by agropyron at 2:30 PM on April 4, 2007
You animal of the West, I can't find any human word to define what you have done because this is not what living thing can do.
If I compare you to a dog, all the dogs in this world would cry with deeply sadness to be compared with something as low as you, who that never know what is loyalty.
If I call you dirty pig, the pigs in this world would stop breathing at once cause it can't stand for your smelly rotten brain and mind.
posted by agropyron at 2:30 PM on April 4, 2007
While I respect google's decision not to drop the video it must hurt to lose access to a 60 million strong market over such an insipid video.
I mean it's not a video that promotes a strong and substantive critique of the King, but rather a short slideshow of third-grade humor, complete with a "please register this software" slide at the end.
posted by delmoi at 2:30 PM on April 4, 2007
I mean it's not a video that promotes a strong and substantive critique of the King, but rather a short slideshow of third-grade humor, complete with a "please register this software" slide at the end.
posted by delmoi at 2:30 PM on April 4, 2007
I try not to see Asian societies as insect hives. I am going to try really hard now. -- telstar
Um. Good luck with that...
posted by delmoi at 2:31 PM on April 4, 2007
Um. Good luck with that...
posted by delmoi at 2:31 PM on April 4, 2007
I Think that you 're the fuc..k guy .
And Your Family is same to you guy .
Your dad is a sucker ?
Or Your mom is a prostitute ?
Go to hell and let your family go too !!!
posted by agropyron at 2:32 PM on April 4, 2007
And Your Family is same to you guy .
Your dad is a sucker ?
Or Your mom is a prostitute ?
Go to hell and let your family go too !!!
posted by agropyron at 2:32 PM on April 4, 2007
Like there's this big, fat, greasy, slightly-translucent "king" ant, which is tended and stroked by hundreds of tiny worker ants. The workers will die in defense of the "king" ant, in fact will eagerly rush any threat.
Yep, that's what I'm not picturing this as, yep.
posted by telstar at 2:38 PM on April 4, 2007
Yep, that's what I'm not picturing this as, yep.
posted by telstar at 2:38 PM on April 4, 2007
this is not a joke, it is a massage that has hidden meanings...
Heh heh. A massage with deeper meanings. *guffaw*
posted by katillathehun at 2:39 PM on April 4, 2007
Heh heh. A massage with deeper meanings. *guffaw*
posted by katillathehun at 2:39 PM on April 4, 2007
By the way, I love Thailand. Visiting there was a wonderful experience, the best fucking food you can imagine, everyone very nice and friendly, beautiful scenery, exciting night life.
But I hate Monarchies.
The Thai King isn't that bad a dude, really. Educated, fair-minded, stays in good physical shape as an example to his subjects, a swell guy all around.
But ha-yell, that's just too juicy a target, knowing that all you have to do to set off a Thai is to say shit about his king.
posted by telstar at 2:46 PM on April 4, 2007
But I hate Monarchies.
The Thai King isn't that bad a dude, really. Educated, fair-minded, stays in good physical shape as an example to his subjects, a swell guy all around.
But ha-yell, that's just too juicy a target, knowing that all you have to do to set off a Thai is to say shit about his king.
posted by telstar at 2:46 PM on April 4, 2007
They are VERY sensitive about feet there. For example, if an American dropped some Thai money our natural reaction would be to stand on it. To a Thai person, not only would that be offensive because you used your unclean foot, but you also just defiled the King's head with it. Likewise, in the Grand Palace in Bangkok you must ALWAYS sit with your feet pointing away from the Emerald Buddha (preferably tucked under you) because the foot is the least sacred part of the body. The monks will actually walk over to you and tell you that you must move them away.
Later I learned that the foot is considered unclean in many cultures. Same in many Islamic countries. This is why when they took Saddam's statue down, many Iraqis took off their shoes and hit the statue with them. Also, in the relics of Egyptian, Roman & Ottoman history, there are a lot of royal footrests that show the ruler's enemies on them. To keep your enemies under your feet is to have power over them & to show them as unclean and beneath you.
posted by miss lynnster at 2:52 PM on April 4, 2007
Later I learned that the foot is considered unclean in many cultures. Same in many Islamic countries. This is why when they took Saddam's statue down, many Iraqis took off their shoes and hit the statue with them. Also, in the relics of Egyptian, Roman & Ottoman history, there are a lot of royal footrests that show the ruler's enemies on them. To keep your enemies under your feet is to have power over them & to show them as unclean and beneath you.
posted by miss lynnster at 2:52 PM on April 4, 2007
From the thaivisa.com forums linked by jaruwaan:
I cant see a stand up comic in Thailand referencing the Monarchy AT ALL...quick route to a painful death at the hands of the audience...Oh well,I guess every country and culture is a bit touchy about SOMETHING.
Please tell me that's an exaggeration.
posted by agropyron at 2:53 PM on April 4, 2007
I cant see a stand up comic in Thailand referencing the Monarchy AT ALL...quick route to a painful death at the hands of the audience...Oh well,I guess every country and culture is a bit touchy about SOMETHING.
Please tell me that's an exaggeration.
posted by agropyron at 2:53 PM on April 4, 2007
How long before a Bhumibol Adulyadej vs. Ataturk battle rap video shows up on youtube?
posted by mhum at 3:00 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by mhum at 3:00 PM on April 4, 2007
Those Thai King cinema bits are some weird stuff. The things you never knew...
posted by reklaw at 3:02 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by reklaw at 3:02 PM on April 4, 2007
By the way, if you look around you are very likely to find a posted photo of the King displayed somewhere in every Thai restaurant you go to. That's not just for decor, in Thailand people hang his image in every home & every place of business... a practice that generally continues long after Thai people come to America. He's also on ALL Thai money.
posted by miss lynnster at 3:02 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 3:02 PM on April 4, 2007
I didn't think it was an exaggeration that different countries are touchy about things. I hope it is an exaggeration that a stand-up comedian in Thailand would be quickly beaten to death by the audience if he made a joke about the king.
posted by agropyron at 3:03 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by agropyron at 3:03 PM on April 4, 2007
Guys, when it comes to their monach, Thais are VERY VERY sensitive. They really do love him. But it really IS ILLEGAL to diss him over there too. If you ever go to Thailand, do NOT do NOT do NOT say anything negative about him at ALL.
This is practically on the par of insulting allah in front of radical Islamists. It's just that Thai people aren't into issuing fatwas. But they ARE equally offended if not more.
posted by konolia at 3:09 PM on April 4, 2007
This is practically on the par of insulting allah in front of radical Islamists. It's just that Thai people aren't into issuing fatwas. But they ARE equally offended if not more.
posted by konolia at 3:09 PM on April 4, 2007
I hope it is an exaggeration that a stand-up comedian in Thailand would be quickly beaten to death by the audience if he made a joke about the king.
but it ain't. There was a tourist who got into a money dispute in Thailand and stomped some Thai bills (with the King's portrait) while in the pique of anger. He was NOT EVEN consciously denigrating the king. He was jailed and it took some doing to get him out.
posted by telstar at 3:09 PM on April 4, 2007
but it ain't. There was a tourist who got into a money dispute in Thailand and stomped some Thai bills (with the King's portrait) while in the pique of anger. He was NOT EVEN consciously denigrating the king. He was jailed and it took some doing to get him out.
posted by telstar at 3:09 PM on April 4, 2007
Oh dude! Ataturk is another one people really don't mess with. (Meanwhile, to feel patriotic here you need to deface pictures of the President...)
posted by miss lynnster at 3:10 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 3:10 PM on April 4, 2007
Oh and telstar, I linked to this earlier but it's a good example of what happens when you mess with the King.
posted by miss lynnster at 3:13 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 3:13 PM on April 4, 2007
Holee fuck. That guy volunteered to go to the Thai joint. speaking of thai joints. *cymbal*
posted by telstar at 3:21 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by telstar at 3:21 PM on April 4, 2007
shoes on head. shoes on head. shoes on head.
posted by thirteenkiller at 3:41 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by thirteenkiller at 3:41 PM on April 4, 2007
Hey! Loookeeee what I found! ::taps feet::
I really dooo need to go back to work...
posted by miss lynnster at 3:43 PM on April 4, 2007
I really dooo need to go back to work...
posted by miss lynnster at 3:43 PM on April 4, 2007
Retarded country ! In civilized ones, if you criticize the leader in public occasions you ....are hauled into free speech "zones" :( but there is no youtube bannination, no sir !
posted by elpapacito at 3:44 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by elpapacito at 3:44 PM on April 4, 2007
The same government that gave us this heartwarming story. "Of course, we'll only let you go if you can prove you're not a violent threat!"
posted by thirteenkiller at 3:45 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by thirteenkiller at 3:45 PM on April 4, 2007
"Transvestites released from their cells for the event paraded in high heels around the ring with placards..."
Y'know, some of the most beautiful women I've ever seen in my life were Thai transvestites. Seriously. Just don't ever kiss one!
posted by miss lynnster at 4:03 PM on April 4, 2007
Y'know, some of the most beautiful women I've ever seen in my life were Thai transvestites. Seriously. Just don't ever kiss one!
posted by miss lynnster at 4:03 PM on April 4, 2007
every time one goes to a flick in thailand, you have to stand and watch any one of these.
what's with all the bubbles? ... does he think he's the good witch glinda?
posted by pyramid termite at 4:34 PM on April 4, 2007
what's with all the bubbles? ... does he think he's the good witch glinda?
posted by pyramid termite at 4:34 PM on April 4, 2007
People are so fucking weird in who and what we venerate.
posted by maxwelton at 4:42 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by maxwelton at 4:42 PM on April 4, 2007
self-link, but a bit of background on
Going to the movies in Thailand
posted by blueberry at 5:34 PM on April 4, 2007
Going to the movies in Thailand
posted by blueberry at 5:34 PM on April 4, 2007
A quick Google reveals: India gets upset about Ghandi. Brazil gets upset about Cicarelli. Turkey gets upset about Ataturk. *shrugs*
posted by tellurian at 5:37 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by tellurian at 5:37 PM on April 4, 2007
Foreigner: "I know he's the king. But I don't understand why we have to do this? And why the King is everywhere?..."
All will be revealed...
posted by SweetJesus at 5:46 PM on April 4, 2007
All will be revealed...
posted by SweetJesus at 5:46 PM on April 4, 2007
You infidel antidemocratic slanderous traitors already forgot out beloved Türkmenbaşy . I spit on your family tools , go edumacate yourselves, read the Ruhnama !
posted by elpapacito at 5:52 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by elpapacito at 5:52 PM on April 4, 2007
An ex-girlfriend of mine owned and ran a rock climbing outfitters buisiness in Thailand for twelve years. One day she was on the beach belaying an Australian tourist on the sea-side cliffs when a small fleet of military boats landed and squads of soldiers carrying machine guns dispersed along the shore. One approached her and said the King and Queen would be landing soon and the climbers would have to come down (when in sight of the royal couple, you are forbidden by law to be above them). She yelled up to the Aussie "You have to come down", he yelled back "Bugger that, ask him what he's gonna do if I don't". "Shoot him", the soldier replied, matter-of-factly, with a very straight face.
When the royal launch landed the soldiers commanded everyone to sit on the sand as the King and Queen disembarked. At that point no-one argued.
posted by CynicalKnight at 6:03 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
When the royal launch landed the soldiers commanded everyone to sit on the sand as the King and Queen disembarked. At that point no-one argued.
posted by CynicalKnight at 6:03 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
I cant see a stand up comic in Thailand referencing the Monarchy AT ALL...quick route to a painful death at the hands of the audience...Oh well,I guess every country and culture is a bit touchy about SOMETHING.
agropyron: Please tell me that's an exaggeration.
It would certainly lead to an ugly scene.
posted by jaruwaan at 9:12 PM on April 4, 2007
agropyron: Please tell me that's an exaggeration.
It would certainly lead to an ugly scene.
posted by jaruwaan at 9:12 PM on April 4, 2007
AND - When I posted the last, I got "cold fusion error" on my screen. My first thought was that the Thai government had blocked this thread.
It was pretty wild to be in the youtube site and have that *censored* screen appear yesterday.
posted by jaruwaan at 9:18 PM on April 4, 2007
It was pretty wild to be in the youtube site and have that *censored* screen appear yesterday.
posted by jaruwaan at 9:18 PM on April 4, 2007
I hope it is an exaggeration that a stand-up comedian in Thailand would be quickly beaten to death by the audience if he made a joke about the king.
not sure about beaten to death, but mobbed and beaten- yes. i've seen similar situations.
posted by gman at 4:50 AM on April 5, 2007
not sure about beaten to death, but mobbed and beaten- yes. i've seen similar situations.
posted by gman at 4:50 AM on April 5, 2007
for all our thai friends.
other anonymizers are sloooooooow, but this one seems fast.
posted by gman at 2:50 PM on April 5, 2007
other anonymizers are sloooooooow, but this one seems fast.
posted by gman at 2:50 PM on April 5, 2007
well, looks like someone else is starting trouble now
posted by pyramid termite at 3:04 PM on April 5, 2007
posted by pyramid termite at 3:04 PM on April 5, 2007
So we can look forward to funny photos of Thailand's king on all future stories about the country now? yey!
posted by jeffburdges at 3:03 AM on April 6, 2007
posted by jeffburdges at 3:03 AM on April 6, 2007
So we can look forward to funny photos of Thailand's king on all future stories about the country now? yey!
no.
posted by gman at 7:59 AM on April 6, 2007
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posted by miss lynnster at 1:25 PM on April 4, 2007