Kaolao Ruammitr by Tin More from the Thai-language press "A pair" - Kao Lao Ruam Mitr (mixed issues) column by Tin, Matichon, April 6, 2008 Top, left to right: When there is the Kwansuang TV program, there is the Jakrapob TV program [Kwansuang is the name of committee member instrumental in starting new Thai Public Broadcasting System (formerly TiTV/iTV) and NBT is the former channel 11, a government television station revamped by PM Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair. Once NBT started, many staff from the former iTV joined NBT.] When there is Samak, there is Big Pok [Commenting on the close relationship PM Samak is building with the C-in-C Gen. Anupong Paojinda--nicknamed "Pok." "Big Pok" indicates his high position in the military like "Big Bung" who is Gen. Sonthi.] When there is a revolution rumor, there is a scapegoat. [When there are rumors of a coup, the press is blamed.] Bottom, left to right: When there is pickled fish paste, there is a person to get diarrhea. "Jood, jood" [PM Samak was reportedly sickened by food he ate on a trip to Laos. "Jood" is the sound of passing gas in Thai.] When there are people hating the Constitution, there are people satisfied with it. The sign reads: Don't touch my constitution! When there is Mr. Hatred, there is Mr. Torture. [A reference to the "kicking" incident involving PPP and Democrat MPs. MP Somkiet was kicked at by MP Karun. Somkiet here is written as "Homkied" similar to "hatred" (literally "very hate") in Thai. Karun is written as "Taroon" which is similar to "torture" in Thai. ] "It is too late for..." - Matichon, Kaoloaruammitr, February 3, 2008 It is too late for... - Prachai to admit he is a kindergarten kid. - The Democrat Party to say it lost in the general election because it sticks to the party’s ideals. - Surayud to say that he regrets being a prime minister after a year and five months have passed. [In the background Surayud marches towards his house, "Khao Yai Tieng" at Khaoyai.] - Sonthi to accept Thaksin as his brother. - Us to warn the girl selling her own eggs at B30,000 each that she might have problems in having a child. [I don’t understand this one.] - Border patrol police commander to apologize the public for having bad subordinates. "When the sky has changed its color..." - Matichon, Kaoloaruammitr, January 27, 2008 When the sky has changed its color, 1. A bird (AEC) is flying alone 2. Samak and Banharn are seen kissing each other 3. 2- and 3-digit lottery case is dismissed. 4. The Revenue Department dismisses plan to charge a retroactive tax worth 500 million baht 5. Suriya is seen at AOT. [Not sure the meaning of this...] 6. The cat supporting Samak wins the dog “All About Names” - Kaolaoruammitr by Matichon, October 6, 2007 Top, left to right: Desires to be named PM. [Desire is equivalent to “Prasong” in Thai. Prasong has been trying to unseat the government for being too weak on attacking Thaksin.] A volunteer to fight against the new power clique. [Volunteer is equivalent to ”Asa-Samak” in Thai. Samak is the leader of the successor party to TRT, the PPP.] His words are not pleasing to the ear, leading to the end of the party. [Pleasing to the ear is equivalent to “Sanoh” in Thai. Political king-maker Sanoh has quarreled and lost the support of the Machima faction.] Bottom, left to right: His party seems to have a privilege compared with others. [Privilege is equivalent to “Abhisit” in Thai. Abhisit is the patrician leader of the Democrat party.] Playing for time so the government has a victory over NHRC. [To have a victory is equivalent to “Meechai” in Thai. We think this refers to NHRC removing Jaran Ditapichai from his NHRC post over his participation in the riot outside of Prem's residence in July. ] Uniting to kill and bury the square-face. [To unite in this context is equivalent to “Sonthi” in Thai. Gen. Sonthi is leading the fight to remove Thaksin's (square-face) influence.] Whatever happens... will still be the same - Kaolaoruammitre, Matichon, May 27, 2007 Top left: [Aung San] Suu Kyi still is arrested as before. Top middle: Daily lives of people in southern provinces will still be the same. Top right: Adjust the cabinet every time... it will still be the same [in neutral gear] Middle: If setting up a new party it will use the Democrat name as before. Bottom left: Ministers who resign all use use the same reason. [They are sick. The sign above the door reads “Cabinet .“] Bottom right: After dissolution, after referendum, after election... this country still be in turmoil. Editorial cartoon "Not enough" from Kaolaoruammitr, Matichon, February 10, 2007 [This is a very hard cartoon to figure out...] Top left to right: The sign reads: Close. The truth is not enough... must be concerned with the temper/mood also. [We think this means the temper of the society that creates the conditions that lead to the airport problems.] Thai Lak Thai party... ["Lak" means "steal."] Chasing the leader of the party is not enough. Must dig the root also. The sign reads: Acting [Police Chief] Wry face is not enough... must come to threatens the underlings daily also. [Acting Police Chief Seripisut Temiyavej's face is thought to be moody or aggressive. The cartoon is saying he must not only show a stern face, but also take real action and mange the police for real.] Bottom left to right: Canceling the party list is not enough... must decrease the number of MP districts also [a reference to a part of the new constitution to decrease the number of MPs]. Fighting with the Burmese is not enough... must fight with Singapore also. The sign on the truck reads: Charges for Thaksin. Charge on cheating is not enough... must charge diligently to find out the charge also. [Not quite sure of the translation or meaning of this... Maybe someone can comment on this on the forum.] Editorial cartoons "Discredit"- Matichon, Kao Lao Ruammitr, December 24, 2006 Roughly clockwise from top left: Electric plugs and cables in schools are discrediting people staging the coup. Some people are discrediting sheep, saying that they can’t live on their own. Thaksin and Sonthi have petted them. ["To take care of sheep" in Thai means "to tell a lie." It is from The Shepherd Who Cried Wolf] Pridiyathorn says he allows people to discredit him, just for the Kingdom. Professionals are discredited because of some assembly issues. Some figure in the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) is not satisfied with the establishment of another committee inspecting the ASC’s operation, considering the move an attempt to discredit the ASC. Some election candidates are discrediting themselves.   "Omitting to do certain things" - Matichon, December 10, 2006 Here is another interesting Kao Lao cartoon that groups recent events around a theme. Top, left to right: Taxes - A hole [loophole] for Shin [Corp or the Shinawatras] - Omitting to remove the giant goose’s hair [Anyone know what this refers to?] [Doctors] Omitting their duties by refusing patients. [a consequence of the government subsidizided health plans started under TRT] Omitting the duty on December 10 as requested by some high-ranking officers. (The clown is holding a sign saying "stop the acrobatics performance on December 10.") [This is a reference to some of the anti-government protestors who came to Sanam Luang telling the press certain high-ranking people requested they not come.] Bottom, left to right: Class cancelled [in the deep south] Omitting classes to join rallies against the plan to allow leading government universities to leave the bureaucratic system. Omitting [leaving] this world because floods have destroyed rice fields. Who knows when will southern militants omit their duties? [Stop carrying out terrorist acts.] Editorial cartoons Kaolaochamlek - Matichon, December 12, 2006 Panel 1: Sonthi said democracy will continue. We must solve the problem of those who use the constitution. No. We must solve the qualifications of the one who will come to Commander-in-Chief. Panel 2: Must understand democracy? No. Must have two stubbed arms! !?! Panel 3: So he will not have hands to tear up the constitution. Editorial cartoon Cartoon: Kaolaoruammitr, Matichon - The different than the same: Oct 6, 1976 / Sept 19, 2006 Acted upon 6 Oct: The student movement 19 Sept: Thaksin and his followers Accusation 6 Oct: Communists, insult institutions 19 Sep: Sell the nation, insult institutions The mouthpiece 6 Oct: Yankroh radio 19 Sep: ASTV Mass power 6 Oct: People's boy scout,  Navapon, Kratingdaeng-red bull 19 Sep:  PAD, network (On the banner "Thaksin get out") P.M. 6 Oct: From P.M. to privy councilor 19 Sep: From Privy councilor to P.M. The role of Mr. Rose-apple [nickname of Samak Soonthonvet--his nose like a rose-apple] 6 Oct: On the side of the winner 19 Sep: On the side of the looser (Ha!) Matichon, October 16, 2006 by Kaolao Chamlek Panel 1: Urgent news! Some media begins to feel frustrated. / Why frustrated? Panel 2: There is a big conciliation with the media representatives. / Ha... how? Panel 3: Gives a chair for them. [In Thai this means something like: "giving insulation from sarcasm or wit" or to give something away to avoid being annoyed. The cartoon is referring to the Legislative Assembly seats given to reporters from Manager.   Editorial cartoon Column name: Kaolao Chamlek (a little bowl of kaolao) by Tin - Matichon, September 5, 2006 Reporter: Yala was bombed in more than 20 places. Do you have anything (to say to ) the PM? Man: I want the PM to come to Yala. Reporter: When he comes here what do you want him to do? Man: Just go back to Bangkok promptly, but leave the security guards for us. Editorial cartoon Column name: Kaolao Ruammitr by Tin - Matichon, September 3, 2006 [Explanation of the column name: Kaolao is a Chinese clear soup that has no noodles--only vegetables and meat balls. In Thai "noodle" is sen so ordering kaolao means not eating sen (or "noodles"). In Thai slang mai gin sen ("don’t eat noodle") means do not like or love each other. Ruam is "gather" and mitr is "friend." So Kaolao Ruammitr may mean "gathering the people who don’t like each other."] Title of the cartoon: Twins! Top left: At present Thaksin must use twin cars [Supposedly one as a decoy against assassination attempts.] Top right: Twin policies [Democrat and TRT both have elevated train promises for the coming election.] Middle left: New province - Twin numbers 77 [The new province to honor the King in the Hua Hin area would be the 77th province.] Middle right: Good news - Twin kouprey found [Last week it was reported that ultra-rare kouprey were spotted on the Thai-Lao border.] Bottom left: Bombs at Yala - The amount is twin numbers 22 Bottom right: Anand is worried that Thailand may be a twin country. [ This is a reference to Anand's speech last week warning Thailand could be a failed state--perhaps like Lebanon.] Editorial cartoon Column name: Kaolao Ruammitr by Tin - Matichon, August 28, 2006 [Explanation of the column name: Kaolao is a Chinese clear soup that has no noodles--only vegetables and meat balls. In Thai "noodle" is sen so ordering kaolao means not eating sen (or "noodles"). In Thai slang mai gin sen ("don’t eat noodle") means do not like or love each other. Ruam is "gather" and mitr is "friend." So Kaolao Ruammitr may mean "gathering the people who don’t like each other."] Title of the cartoon: All is fake The dog on the sphere: After more than 70 years we have just known that Pluto is a fake planet. The man crying: 30 years in the past--We have just known that October people are fake. [A reference to the events of October 6, 1976. It probably refers to the student leaders from the October 6 events who have joined TRT and have been harshly criticized for being in a government many see as repressive.] Roses: People think this is a Thai company, but this is a fake Thai company. [Rose is in reference to Kulabkaew or Glass Rose--the name of company suspected to be a nominee company in the Shin Corp buyout deal.] Man holding a sign behind him: We think "New Suchin" is also fake. [Not sure what this is in reference to. The man is holding a sign that says "meeting." This may be a reference to Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua who withheld the closing date of the current senate session in an apparent effort to force a rushed decision on the EC candidates. As senators are not supposed to be aligned with political parties, such a move is seen as a transparent ploy to help TRT. Thus he is a "fake" neutral senator.] Policeman watching men fight: The fake police crush the mob. The real police just keep looking. [Reference to the recent beatings at shopping malls of anti-Thaksin hecklers.] Car bomb: (Is this) the a real thing that resemble the fake or the fake thing that resemble the real thing?