รั้งตำแหน่ง

[DavidHouston]

I have a question regarding the word "รั้งตำแหน่ง". Lexitron renders it, "act on behalf of" (a verbal function); Domnern Sathienpong says "acting (governor, director, etc.)" (a modifier function). The former implies that the "actor" was operating for someone else, as if the actor was the agent of that person. The latter implies that there is no one in the position and that the "actor" if fulfilling the function without being formally elected or appointed to the position. And, I would like to understand whether one or both meanings are correct. (It could be that both are correct, depending on the function in context.)

Let me provide three separate examples:

"แน่นอนว่าถ้าพูดถึงตัวบุคคล คุณหญิงพจมาน ชินวัตร ภริยาหัวหน้าพรรค รั้งตำแหน่งอันดับหนึ่งมาตั้งแต่ยุคก่อตั้ง"

It is certain that if we are speaking of a particular person, Khun Ying Pojaman Shinawatra, the wife of the head of the party, was acting (on his behalf) as the primary (head of the party) since its formation.

"ทั้งๆ ที่มีชื่อของ พล.อ.สุรยุทธ์รั้งตำแหน่งนายกรัฐมนตรี ตั้งแต่วันแรกของการยึดอำนาจ 19 กันยายนนั่นแล้ว"

All the while, there was the name of General Surayut as acting Prime Minister ever since the first day power was seized on September 19th.

"แม้ไม่ได้เป็น ส.ส.ตั้งแต่ต้น แต่เขาก็รั้งตำแหน่งผู้อำนวยการพรรคตลอดมา"

Even though he was not a member of parliament initially, he always acted as if he were party manager.

Please let me know if I am understanding the several uses of the phrase "รั้งตำแหน่ง" correctly. Thanks.

[oldsparrow]

Yes, it's unofficially in charge of certain authority or waiting to be officially authorised. In old style language รั้งตำแหน่ง can be used in more official term.

****

For present official writing, when the deputy of the chief sign the letter on behalf of the chief there are 2 cases:

"รักษาราชการแทน..." = Signing on behalf of the chief when the chief is not available.

"ปฏิบัติราชการแทน..." = Routine signing on behalf of the chief on certain matters that the chief has previous authorised to be the deputy's folio.

In English letter it is just "For...(Director of)" in both cases.

[yoot]

Khun David,

I never heard the word รั้งตำแหน่ง is used in the meaning of "act on behalf of".

Mostly, it's used in the meaning of "acting" or "possessing a position" (ครอบครองตำแหน่ง) which might be for long term or short term.

From your examples;

I won't translate the whole sentence but I want to point out the meaning of this word in each sentence.

"แน่นอนว่าถ้าพูดถึงตัวบุคคล คุณหญิงพจมาน ชินวัตร ภริยาหัวหน้าพรรค รั้งตำแหน่งอันดับหนึ่งมาตั้งแต่ยุคก่อตั้ง"

- In this sentence, it means people knew that she was the head of this party, although there was no her name registered as the leader of the party. So, รั้งตำแหน่ง for this sentence doesn't mean 'act on behalf of' anyone.

"ทั้งๆ ที่มีชื่อของ พล.อ.สุรยุทธ์รั้งตำแหน่งนายกรัฐมนตรี ตั้งแต่วันแรกของการยึดอำนาจ 19 กันยายนนั่นแล้ว"

- I have seen the whole context of this sentence, it means "Even though, there was the name of General Surayut as a candidate for Prime Minister ......". So, in this context, รั้งตำแหน่ง is used in the meaning of "being a candidate".

"แม้ไม่ได้เป็น ส.ส.ตั้งแต่ต้น แต่เขาก็รั้งตำแหน่งผู้อำนวยการพรรคตลอดมา"

- In this sentence, รั้งตำแหน่ง means "to possess the position", he is in the position of being the director of the party all the time.