TV was better before the coup
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"Keep calm and think nice thoughts," the Army says, but it hasn't been easy, given the cheerless military programming on TV. Thank heavens they haven't shut down the Internet (yet) so we can at least make fun of Army TV on the social networks.
The television broadcast from the gracefully named National Peace and Order Maintaining Council has, of course, been dull as dishwater and replicated on every single channel, with only occasional dreary announcements interrupting the static stock image of the NPOMC “logo” and one patriotic song after another.
As for the announcements, if the general and admiral and their pals are occupied elsewhere, Colonel Winthai “Seh Tod” Suwaree appears as their spokesman, and at least he’s good for the occasional giggle. Once martial law morphed into an official coup, Seh Tod read out 19 different announcements in the space of a few hours, the last one at about 3am. It was gripping stuff – but only because we all wanted to know what was going to happen next, and, you know, there was nothing else to watch.
By midnight there was snickering on Twitter about how ragged his voice was getting. By then it was also common knowledge that, not only does She Todd do some professional acting – he plays Ekatosarot, younger brother of Naresuan, in “The Legend of King Naresuan” movies – he’s married to actress Apiradee Pawaphutanon. Someone helpfully posted a photo of the couple online. “Sorry girls – this military guy is unavailable,” was the predictable tweet.
Seh Tod’s acting skills were beginning to fail him on Army TV, though. The NPOMC announcements didn’t exactly constitute a scintillating script, and she began to look very sleepy as the hours passed.
As for the non-stop patriotic songs that no one under the age of 30 would have ever heard before, @yoware said he’d prefer if there were no gap between them because the silence might signal another impending announcement, but it was usually just a false alarm. Most people wanted them to at least find a different playlist and begged whoever was on duty @army_PRnews and the NPOMC page on Facebook for better tunes. Tweeple (Twerson?) @fazonnuch noted that “the farang community” online was busy listing suitable songs for the occasion, so people started issuing song requests to the military. “Your songs are beautiful, but can I request Pitbull?” said Purewinggirl Nannie. Someone else voted for a Clash track. Numchai Roekhora cleverly suggested that the Army screen the “Naresuan” films between announcements – “more suitable for the situation”.
The best reaction Soopsip came across on Coup Day 1 was from @sherrattsam: “The irony of forcing everyone to stay home and then removing all the TV is interesting.”
Curfews and cancellations
Here are events that have been rescheduled because of the curfew from 10pm to 5am:
TODAY
n Pongsit “Poo” Khampee’s concert starts much earlier, at 4 at Bitec Bang Na.
n Trai “Boy” Bhumirat’s concerts at Central Lat Phrao are still on – first show at 11.30am, second at 4.30pm.
n South Korean star Choi Jin-hyuk has postponed his meet-up.
n The Hotel Art Fair continues until tomorrow at the Luxx XL Hotel, but it closes at 9pm.
n Artist Kamin Lertchaiprasert’s exhibition opens at 3, not 6, at Numthong Gallery.
n Screening times for the European Union Film Festival at SF World Cinema at CentralWorld might change. Check http://goo.gl/dJFGGg.
TOMORROW
n The Radio-Television Broadcasting Professional Federation’s Nataraja awards ceremony has been postponed.
n Flure was supposed to play at this week’s Now Live Judprakai Concert at Siam Discovery. It’s now cancelled.
n The Italiano Opera Highlight Arias concert at the Thailand Cultural Centre is still on, but begins at 6pm, two hours earlier than planned.
MONDAY
n A reception at the Siam Kempinski Hotel celebrating Israel’s Independence Day will now start at 5pm. Confirm that you’re still going at (02) 204 9232 or [email protected].
