Annual 'alias' declaration on Thai politicians cancelled

[webfact]

Annual 'alias' declaration cancelled
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The customary annual bestowing of satirical aliases on politicians by journalists covering Government House and Parliament has been suspended this year.

Journalists covering the two beats yesterday announced they would not announce the "... of the year" and other aliases for senior government officials and lawmakers, as they have previously.

They cited the abnormal political situation, as well as the need to cover the current anti-government protests, which had made it impossible for them to hold their annual "secret meeting" to come up with the aliases. Moreover, as the election date has been set, they did not want the aliases to be used politically.

However, the Parliament reporters released a declaration of their support for a democratic system of government, as the term is internationally defined, saying they could not agree with any other means of governing than those prescribed in the current Constitution.

The traditional bestowing of aliases by political journalists was also skipped after the military coup in 2006, after the House dissolution in 2007 and during the transitions between the Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wongsawat and Abhisit Vejjajiva governments in 2008.


-- The Nation 2013-12-31

[EricBerg]

And it would take looooooooooong years before there would be a not so traditional bestowing of aliases on politicians by journalists again.

[JRSoul]

"Customary" or "occasional"?

Most of the adjectives I would use to describe PTP would be defamatory, more so because they are true.

[Bluespunk]

Thank god for that.

[ChrisY1]

More nonsense....

[Rob8891]

Now we can see how serious the political situation is....no aliases. Oi vey!

[englishoak]

im shocked no aliases this year ? what ARE we going to do now ?

[spare5]

Self censorship. Very wise.

[Thaddeus]

It's quite difficult to identify individuals in a barrel load of monkeys.

[noitom]

What a shame to miss this annual heehaw Thailand event.

[soi41]

Who need satire-shows, when you can watch clowns like those on live television every day??

[tingtongteesood]

Now now, you sound bitter that Thaksin isn't on tv with them, he could be if he wasn't a fugitive from justice...

[LuckyLew]

Who need satire-shows, when you can watch clowns like those on live television every day??03.jpgSuthep_Thaugsuban.jpg

what was the title of the movie with Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels ??

[bigbamboo]

What is the point in giving satirical names to Thai politicians anyway?

They are already beyond a joke.

[saakura]

The highlight of the article is that the reporters have declared their support for a democratic system of government, as the term is internationally accepted, and under the framework of the constitution. Surprised it has been published in The Nation.

[RubbaJohnny]

While easy to laugh at poor translations,sloppy reports and poor proofreading,knowledge of English and typos many including myself parody the antics of all including the fearless fourth estate.

Saakura presciently notes their statement in support of democracy.

It may be mealy mouthed in the sense that with no parliament ,parliamentary correspondants will be surplus to requirements.I think not.Howver this is a jejeune interpretation as I'm sure they woud be asigned to cover however well the new regime.

In reality they have however timidly stuck the necks over the parapet/chopping block not for the reds but democracy.In this odd times where the Democrat party is blocking candidates for an election.This sets a very bad precedent.

I doubt if you or most here with political nouse, passports and cash will be detained as a threat to the state if a new regime emerges,however high profile parliamentary journalists careers may be blighted or worse.If we we find it unpalatable we can leave.While hi-so baht billionaires can retire overseas few ordinary Thais can nor would want to.

Of course all is not well but if you read between the lines most Thais rich and poor understand there are big moves afoot and the spoils are not alloted yet,congratulations and 2 cheers to the press for once,in a nation where personal libel and other loss of face can cost dearly.No Spitting Image nor National Lampoon here,perhaps that is indicative of the problem and the Emporer's new clothes syndrome