ตุ๊ดตู่ And Demon

[DavidHouston]

As reported in Matichon On-line, Foreign Minister Kasit responds to Thaksin,

". . . เรื่องคืนพาสปอร์ต ขอเรียนว่าถ้าอยากจะคืนจริงก็ช่วยบอกสถานที่ที่จะไปเอาด้วย อย่าทำกำกวม ทำตัวเป็นตุ๊ดตู่ ยินดีจะบินไปหา แล้วถ้าสละสัญญาชาติไทยได้ด้วยก็ยิ่งดี"

" . . . as for returning your passport, I want to let you know that if you really want to do so, please let me know where I can go pick it up; please don't hesitate or act like a _______. I will be happy to fly [anywhere] to meet you. And, if you wish to renounce your Thai citizenship, that would be even better.

Question: what is a "ตุ๊ดตู่" and what is the metaphor, if any. So Sethaputra says, "an animal of nursery rhymes living inside a bamboo. He appears to be more friendly than a bugbear."

Another question, if you don't mind. As reported in The Nation website today, Kasit is quoted as follows, "Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday lashed out at former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, calling him a "demon" and challenging him to a debate in any forum across the world".

Matichon On-line has, in part, "ขอท้าโต้วาที จะเอาทีไหนก็ได้ ซีเอ็นเอ็น บีบีซี อัลจาซีราห์ ที่ไหนก็ได้"

"I challenge you to a debate; and, we can do it any venue you like, CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera - anywhere at all."

But, I can't seem to find which Thai word is used for "demon". Can anyone identify it for me? Thanks.

[DavidHouston]

Well, my wife did remember the rhyme from the better part of a century ago. And, Google found it!

"ตุ๊ดเอ๋ยตุ๊ดตู่ ในเรี่ยวในรูช่างอยู่ได้

ขี้เกียจนักหนาระอาใจ มาเรียกให้กินหมากไม่อยากคบ

ชาติขี้เกียจเบียดเบียฬแต่เพื่อนบ้าน การงานสักนิดก็คิดหลบ

ตื่นเช้าเราจะหมั่นประชันพลบ ไม่ขอพบขี้เกียจเกลียดนักเอย"

The metaphor appears to be "laziness". I don't see a notion of "demon" yet. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[krading]

ตุ๊ดตู่ according to wikipedia can mean a monitor lizard or a ling fish. A lazy animal that will only work when hungry. I think Kasit hit the nail right on the head.

[Rikker]

Could it be that he means to tell Thaksin to stop hiding in the bamboo and show himself?

[DavidHouston]

Could it be that he means to tell Thaksin to stop hiding in the bamboo and show himself?

Good thought! However, a fear metaphor, such as "กระต่ายตื่นตูม", would have seemed more apt that the laziness metaphor of the "ตุ๊ดตู่". Is this the word that was translated into "demon" by The Nation or was there another reference?

On the other hand, words spoken in haste and anger may miss their mark.

[Barabbas]

Could it be that he means to tell Thaksin to stop hiding in the bamboo and show himself?

Good thought! However, a fear metaphor, such as "กระต่ายตื่นตูม", would have seemed more apt that the laziness metaphor of the "ตุ๊ดตู่". Is this the word that was translated into "demon" by The Nation or was there another reference?

On the other hand, words spoken in haste and anger may miss their mark.

As far as I know, and from my own experience, in colloquial Thai ตุ๊ดตู่ is sometimes referred to a male homosexual, effeminate and demure - hence this particular case might have this type of connotation to the word. Just my 2 cents. Your guess is much more educated one though.

Edited April 16, 2009 by Barabbas