Samak Appreciation Society mulled

Published on February 4, 2008

To supporters of his People Power Party, Samak is the not-quite-ideal-but-he'll-do-for-now puppet for the Great Puller of Strings in Hong Kong. In computer terms, he's the best available port for downloading the latest software, Thaksin Redux 08.

To Democrats, Samak and his Cabinet automatically make the opposition shadow cabinet seem better qualified to run the country - and now they look even more handsome too.

Lazy reporters can count on getting home from work (or out to the bars) early, because when you interview Samak, it's always a short interview.

Market vendors get total access to the big man. All they need to do is keep a list of complaints and "special requests" handy for when Samak makes his daily visit to buy groceries and snacks.

The Department of Export Promotion has an unprecedented opportunity to promote Thai rose apples. They should get a caricaturist working on the poster right away, maybe with a slogan like, "Nobody knows rose apples like Samak nose rose apples". We're just thinking out loud here.

The broadcast media should have little problem filling airtime. Samak has a habit of abruptly cutting interviews short, but he really does love to talk. Give him the mike and a couple of hours and go get some sleep.

Web the way forward?

Way, way forward

YouTube became everybody else's tube but Thailand's last year, but Brazil's culture minister sees the video-sharing website a little differently.

Gilberto Gil, who probably got the job because he plays such great music, is the first Brazilian performing artist to get a dedicated YouTube channel, and the first government minister too. Britain's Queen Elizabeth is posting videos on YouTube as well, in the interest of getting closer to her subjects.

We wait with bated breath to see if our new government follows suit. Former ICT Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom is already well known at YouTube, but he got the "access" part upside-down.

Mam memory tapes erased

It's not really lonely at the top. Ask any celebrity who's being hounded by the paparazzi. It's when the press stops hounding you that it gets lonely.

The other day at the Dior fashion show at Bangkok's Sukhothai Hotel, the reporters were getting gaga over the likes of Nat Myria Benedetti, Ann Thongprasom and Chayada "Bo" Masayavwnich, but totally ignored Katleeya "Mam" McIntosh.

The former soap-opera princess arrived and left without a single question being tossed her way or any cameras being pointed at her. It wasn't that long ago that she and Ann were topping the Favourite Actress polls together.

If it's any consolation, the stars being swarmed in the limelight could have been thinking, "Phi Mam is so lucky!"

Nah, we don't believe that either.

Got an Armani in here somewhere

The late Coco Chanel would have been delighted at the big Emporium fashion bash last week to see how many swank Thais were toting the 2.55 shoulder bags she designed way back in 1955.

The legendary purses were everywhere! What incredible product loyalty!

Or not.

This, Coco, is the cream of Thai high society. They have in their personal inventories every foreign fashion brand ever made. Just stick around for the next Louis Vuitton or Gucci show - the 2.55s will all be left at home in the wardrobe.

Thaksin spills beans selectively

Chanvit Pholchivin, who gets called "Coach Rang" as manager of the national football team, is worried that the Japanese know his boys' every move.

The Thai team faces the Japanese national squad in a qualifier for the World Cup on Wednesday. Rang fears an ambush - he's got the impression that the rivals know exactly what we're going to do.

Soopsip is surprised that Coach Rang is surprised about this.

The Japanese were no doubt also paying attention when the whole world watched three of our footballers signing up with Manchester City and training every day, not to mention playing in friendly matches. Man City owner Thaksin Shinawatra also had the Thai national team over for a visit, and he's a painfully sharp tack when it comes to generating publicity.

Every football reporter in the world has been relaying every second of these proceedings, Coach Rang, so yes, the Japanese have a pretty good idea of what we're going to do on the pitch on Wednesday.

Enjoy more Soopsip on the Net. Visit NationMulti-media.com/weblog and search for Soopsip, where you'll find a steady diet of political and celebrity gossip.

 veen@nationgroup.com

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