Suu Kyi wins comedy Nobel
Play
Coverage in the news media suggests that Aung San Suu Kyi has been all business on her visit to Thailand, tallying up the suffering of Burmese labourers here, then rubbing her findings in the faces of Thai authorities, then talking to the money boys about
Amid all the stern stoicism, though, Myanmar’s pro-democracy heroine was also a barrel of laughs. Bangkok was an eye-popper, she told reporters. She was fascinated by all the glittering high-rises at night and compared that to the situation at home. “What went through my mind was, ‘We need an energy policy!’”
Her remark drew chuckles, even though everyone knew protests continue in Yangon over rolling blackouts due to electricity shortages. Suu Kyi was ready to kid around about Myanmar’s shortcomings. Someone asked about the level of education there. “Oh, very poor – I thought you knew that!”
Asked about the bondage of house arrest through all those years, she said she’s no longer so isolated. In fact, she’d sign up for Facebook if she only had more time. “And if I do get an account, feel free to add me.”
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, one of Thailand’s toughest guys, buckled under Suu Kyi’s sense of humour too. They met to discuss immigrant issues, and then he called in his three gentle and well-regarded sons for a group photo. “You brought all your sons with you!” she said, pleased. “Where’s your wife?”
Chalerm didn’t say his Mrs isn’t part of his bodyguard detail, just that she couldn’t make it, so Suu Kyi agreed to fill the wifely role in the “family portrait”. “I will do that duty for you,” she grinned.
Chalerm told her he hopes she’s victorious in Myanmar’s 2016 general election and joked that she’s so popular in Thailand that if she ran for Parliament here, “I’d be worried.”
Seems to us it would be the other way around. If Suu Kyi were a politician in Thailand, she’s the one who’d have to worry.
