As 2024 draws to an end, a tradition among the Thai press corps is the drawing up of a list of funny and satirical nicknames for cabinet ministers and the Thai government as a whole. Keep in mind that these names are often play on words and are just for fun.
The Thai government - “Daddy’s government”
This is pretty self-explanatory. Paetongtarn Shinawatra took office in August 2024, the third member of the Shinawatra family to take the prime ministerial seat. As the youngest daughter of former prime minister and billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, who is the de facto leader of the main coalition Pheu Thai party, it is widely believed that Thaksin has been acting as the mastermind behind the ruling government.
PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra - “Pae-tong-poay” (Pae-tong-script)
This came after Paetongtarn became the subject of criticism for reading scripts off her iPad during the ACD Summit in Doha. No matter where she goes, from keynote addresses and regional meetings, to meetings with world leaders, Paetongtarn is seen pulling out her iPad every time. The word “poay” in Thai means a script. In fact, Paetongtarn seems to be fine with the nickname, and even joked that she should be called “Pae-tong-(i)Pad” instead. Former Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, on the other hand, felt that the nickname sounds demeaning.
Phumtham Wechayachai – “Comrade Yai in army boots”
This Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister’s nickname refers to his past as a “communist” comrade, who joined the violent Communist Party of Thailand insurgency, following the October 6th, 1976 massacre. Now, though, he is the leader of the military.
Anutin Charnvirakul - “Bhumjai Kwang” (lit. Proud to obstruct)
A play on words from his party, Bhumjaithai (lit. Proud to be Thai), the Interior Minister has been named as the proud obstructer. The word “kwang” in Thai means to block or obstruct. This came after the Bhumjaithai party, among the coalition partners in the Pheu Thai-led government, has been opposing important draft bills proposed by Pheu Thai MPs. One of them was a draft bill to prevent military coups and, most recently, the one-tier referendum draft bill to amend the constitution.
Pirapan Salirathavibhaga - “Pira Pung”
The Energy Minister and the United Thai Nation party leader has earned this nickname, as Pirapan has promised to amend the law to restructure and reduce energy and oil prices, but has failed. As a party leader, Pirapan seems to have been keeping a rather low-profile, possibly indicating rifts with other party members. The word “pung” in Thai means being destroyed or, more simply, failure.
Tawee Sodsong – “Tawee-I-P”
Due to close ties with the Shinawatra family, the Justice Minister has been the frontman in defending Thaksin’s controversial stay on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital while serving his prison term. He has constantly denied that the former leader received special treatment over other inmates. Hence, the nickname “Tawee-I-P”, as he has been protecting the “VIP”, and is rumoured to be paving the way for Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck, to follow the same path home
(NOTE: the letter ‘w’ is sometimes pronounced as a ‘v’ in Thai).
Chalermchai Sri-on – “Pra-cha-ti-pey” (lit. Democrat party slipping off track)
As the leader of Thailand’s oldest political party, the Democrat party, Chalermchai has been shining in the hall of shame, after the party accepted Pheu Thai’s invitation to join its coalition government, ending its political rivalry of over 20 years. For Democrat veterans, however, the political party under Chalermchai’s leadership is slipping off track from its core ideologies, which it had maintained for more than 70 years.
Akanat Promphan – “Ruam (Pheu) Thai Ang Chart” (lit. Claiming for the nation)
The Industry Minister and core member of the United Thai Nation party once said that the party decided to join the coalition with the ruling Pheu Thai party, once a political rival, for the sake of the nation’s future. The nickname, “Ruam (Pheu) Thai Ang Chart” , is a play on words from the party’s official Thai name, Ruam Thai Sang Chart, where “Sang” means to build, while “Ang” means to claim or to make excuses.
Jiraporn Sindhuprai - “Jira Paul”
Once a rising star in parliament, Jiraporn has had to deal with high expectations as a minister of the Prime Minister’s Office in revamping the government’s image and leading the Office of the Consumer Protection Board. Her performance was not outstanding, until the infamous iCon group case came to public attention, over which she appears to be taking more action. The “Paul” suffix is derived from iCon Group CEO’s name Waratphol “Boss Paul” Waratvorakul.
“The ministers left forgotten”
The nickname of long-lost and forgotten ministers went to Deputy Ministers of Commerce, Suchart Chomklin and Napintorn Srisunpang, and Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob. The three have been tagged as such because they have not apparently done anything significant during the past three months in office, despite having top ministerial portfolios.
Quote of the year - “My husband is a Southerner”
This particular phrase, from Prime Minister Paetongtarn, has been named the quote of the year, which was said in response to criticism that she did not visit the flood victims in the south and that she has neglected southern people. Her response was to imply that there’s no way that she could neglect southern people, because her husband was born in the South - sparking more online criticism.
