We'd cry too if we had a boss like this

IF YOU NOTICED any glum-faced mums on Mother’s Day, chances are that their kids work in the hospitality industry and don’t get public holidays off like most ordinary Thais. There was one notable exception this year, though, and that was the staff of the Bar B Q Plaza restaurant chain. The boss gave them three days off at full pay so they could treat their mums. “It’s just our way of thanking the staff,” a company spokesperson told Soopsip.
She was being far too modest. The chain went all out, producing a TV commercial, “The Waiter’s Mom” (“Panak Ngarn Ran Arhan Kor Me Mae”), which it posted on its YouTube channel and drew more than two million views in the first two days. It’s a real tearjerker – few viewers managed to get all the way through it without waterworks.
Created by the intriguingly named Bangkok advertising agency nudeJEH, the commercial is completely unscripted and “stars” actual staff members answering questions about their mothers. “Do you live with your mum?” they’re asked. “When was the last time you had a good laugh with her?” and “When was the last time you dined out with her?” and “Have you ever told her you love her?” Predictably, a lot of the employees do their own share of blubbering while on camera. In the end, though, it’s all good, with shots of the staff members enjoying a dinner out with their dear old dolls.
The spot has drawn effusive praise for its creativity and simple execution. See if you don’t agree by browsing to youtu.be/WK5NYCekCVM.
It’s Sek Loso calling
Rock star Seksan “Sek Loso” Sukpimai, fresh from divorcing his wife, “Karn” Wipakorn, is hard at work in his new business, his spare time obviously freed up from all those wars of words being waged with her on Facebook as his three million followers listened in.
And what is this business? He’s flogging the “Loso” smartphone to those very same fans.
The being-made-in-China phone is expected to cost between Bt3,500 and Bt4,000 and will carry Sek’s entire catalogue of songs. In size it’s comparable to the iPhone 6 Plus, though Sek is adamant that there was no attempt to pilfer from Apple. Copyright is not a worry, he says. “I’m the owner and the presenter of the phone and all the money is coming from my pocket.”
Among the past week’s promotional posts on Facebook, Sek had a photo of him holding the Loso next to an iPhone (see, they’re different). “Why do I want to sell mobile phones?” he asks. “Because ‘Jai Sang Maa’!” That’s the title of one of his hits, meaning he always follows his heart. “Will I be able to sell these things? ‘Mai Tong Pen Huang Chan’!” Another track – “Don’t worry about me”.
Some sceptics out there still aren’t so sure about the always-controversial rocker’s business acuity. “Would you dare buy a phone from Sek?” has been a common question in the chat rooms, reminiscent of the old joke about buying a used car from Richard “Tricky Dick” Nixon.
Sek, as always, is unfazed. “I need to test the phone for a month before I can market it,” he admits, sounding like a conscientious entrepreneur. If it actually hits the market, though, he’s planning big: The Loso would be sold not only in Thailand but across Southeast Asia, tapping into that new Asean Economic Community thing.