Comedian’s black face stunt spurs ‘racist’ jibes
What’s hot in Thai newspapers and social media
AreWestern media overly sensitive about skin colour? Some Thais wonder after an online news website slammed as racist a Channel 3 comedian who won a best-dressed award at a TV channel’s party for painting her face black.
“Thailand’s casual racism returns: Comedian in blackface wins ‘best dressed’ award at elite party,’’ said the headline of the website Coconuts Bangkok.
The story published on Sunday said how “ill-advised’’ Channel 3 producer and comedian Pajaree Na Nakorn, better known by her nickname of “Poodle”, was when she put on black face paint to attend her channel’s hip-hop costume party.
The online news outlet said the comedian probably did not realise the racist message that the paint presents to an international audience.
“She proudly Instagrammed a paper that said she received 5,000 baht from her boss as a prize for having the best costume at the party,” the story said.
Pajaree uploaded a few more photos with her actor and actress friends. She wrote a caption in one of the photos: “It was fun [to do the face paint.] It’s bruising to clean it off.”
In another photo she took with Channel 3 actor Warintorn “Great” Panhakarn, often mocked for his tan skin, Pajaree said: “Dearest Great, thanks for painting your body black to appear in my company. What? You didn’t? You are naturally dark?”
The report went on to say that Thais see lighter skin as a symbol of higher social class and wealth. They also tend to regard skin-coloured antics like those of Pajaree as a joke instead of a racist act.
It also noted how another actress, Cris Horwang, was criticised after appearing in a whitening cream commercial saying she has gained success because of her light skin.
One user, however, asked on the Pantip webboard whether the online news outlet’s comment on Pajaree’s costume play was a case of being overly sensitive.
Her observation was echoed by another online user who said Pajaree’s choice of black face paint for a rapper-themed party should be considered an honour for black people.
“It’s just a matter of different cultures. Thai people have no awareness of racism. We might mock people with dark skin but we don’t discriminate against them. It’s not within the Thai sentiment to discriminate against people based on their social class or race,” the user named Yimbood said.
Several others also defended the comedian saying online media was being too rigid and intent on creating a “drama” out of what was intended to be a fun thing.
“No-one else took it that seriously. They all took photos and had fun with her at the party. In what way can the act be seen as racism?’’ another user wrote.
Many others, however, did not agree with Pajaree’s decision to go in black face paint or arguments in her defence.
MaprangPG said although she understands the costume and black face paint were meant for a laugh, a person’s skin colour is truly a sensitive issue which should not be used for a prank.
“We should be more careful about this,’’ the user said.
Others questioned whether the opinions given in defence of the comedian’s act are justified.
“Thai people do not discriminate. Is this really true? Also, is painting one’s self black an act of bestowing honour? I am puzzled,” a user named Febie said.
The user un_devil summarised the dispute saying racism is not a matter of being overly sensitive or not. It’s a matter of the respect which one human being should extend to another.
Dept probes snake import
Theexcitement for a team of veterinarians who successfully removed a tumour from an anaconda is turning into a concern as National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation authorities will check whether the giant snake was properly imported.
Adisorn Noochdamrong, deputy chief of the department, said the anaconda is not protected under Thai law but is listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as a species which can be traded with a permit, according to a report in Matichon Online.
Mr Adisorn said it’s possible the anaconda was properly imported. Still, the department will speed up its checks and see if the giant snake’s owner brought it in legally or bought it from another importer.
He said illegal acquisition of the reptile is punishable under the Wildlife Conservation Act with one year’s imprisonment or a fine of no more than 10,000 baht or both.
Mr Adisorn said a review of past permits showed a batch of four to five anacondas was cleared for import in 2000. The department gave a permit to a zoo to import another 17 snakes four years later and to two private citizens in 2006.
He said the department stopped issuing permits for imports of anaconda in 2006 as it viewed the giant snake as a dangerous animal. If let loose in nature, the anaconda may pose a threat to people and animals alike, he said.
He noted, however, the department found that more than 100 anacondas may have been snuck into the country illegally.
The department’s response followed a report about an operation to remove a tumour weighing more than one kilogramme from near the heart of a four-metre-long anaconda. The operation was conducted by a team of veterinarians at Khlong Luang Animal Hospital in Pathum Thani.
Fight clubs upset metro
MetropolitanPolice have vowed to take down the Fight Club Thailand forum for holding controlled street fights as it is against the laws governing boxing, according to media reports.
Inspired by David Fincher’s film Fight Club, the organisers set up a moveable forum for young men to fight each other for three minutes.
Fighters have to observe rules including not instigating conflicts or holding grudges after the fight. Rules are similar to those of boxing, with added bans on throwing opponents about, as the forum is held on a rough street surface rather than in a boxing ring.
Each fight is recorded in a video clip and and posted on the group’s Facebook page Fight Club Thailand, a closed group with more than 50,000 members. The group has organised 91 matches over the past four or five months with no problems, according to a report in Kom Chad Luek newspaper.
Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) acting commissioner Sanit Mahathavorn said he had watched clips of the bouts and believed the forum was in breach of the Boxing Act which forbids anybody from organising boxing matches without permission, according to a report on Khao Sod Online.
Punishment for a violation is one year in jail, a fine of 20,000 baht or both.
Pol Lt Gen Sanit said the Fight Club forum could cause danger to those who participate in it. The venues are also not appropriate. He had instructed police stations in the capital where such activities were held in the past to invite the organisers in for talks. He said police will take action if further violations are found.
In response, the Fight Club Thailand group said it will take concerns expressed by police and the public into account and improve its forum.
The group, however, insisted its activities are meant to allow youngsters to let off steam and learn about combat arts. It said the forum could be a model to solve the long-running problem of student brawling.
The group also vows to continue its forum and hold the fights elsewhere in the country. It asks government agencies and the public for their support.
Dress code saga response
KingMongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) said its library staff had no choice but to refuse entry to a lecturer because her outfit did not comply with its rules.
The university spoke out in response to a complaint raised by special lecturer at its own Faculty of Fine Arts, Kunthida Rungruengkiat.
Ms Kunthida posted a photo of herself wearing knee-length pants which she said the library staff considered too short to permit her entry.
She asked whether the rule was too prudish as a library should be a place for gathering information.
In response, the university said Ms Kunthida’s complaint, which has been widely shared on social media, has caused a misunderstanding about the university’s services.
It said although the library did refuse entry to Ms Kunthida, she did not follow the dress code as designated.
“The library is a service unit that has to come into contact with many people from various backgrounds. To ensure the safety of its resources, and a sense of order and respect from visitors, it’s necessary to have regulations that are applied consistently,’’ the university said.