PM just needs a better stage designer

Prayut came right out and admitted that “some people” might find his show boring, but sorry, it’s his personal platform for transforming the country into a utopia, so “the show must go on”. 

Behold, a new Facebook page has appeared with the stated mission of helping the premier improve the show – by changing the studio backdrop. The general (retired) is standing there every week fulminating away with basically nothing to look at apart from his wagging chin.

But what if the flaming logo from “Mockingjay” – the latest “Hunger Games” movie – was occupying the space behind him? That might liven things up, at least visually. Or how about a crowd of “Teletubbies”? Bring on the happiness?

Other backdrops suggested in the Facebook page (19,000 likes so far) have included a popular Thai comedy troupe, a floral bounty, and the cast of the “Harry Potter” movies assembled at their banquet table at the Hogwarts College of Wizardry.

There could be a herd of dinosaurs straight out of “Jurassic Park”, or, since winter is here, a lovely snow scene, and maybe Prayut could have a little frost on his face. 

The page is open to further suggestions (there’s a quick-and-easy guide to posting). In fact it desperately needs more suggestions, because Prayut has seen the page (he’s looking at everything we do online) and he’s declared all of the backdrops “ugly”. The page administrators, obviously a bunch of wags, replied that they’re “very upset” they haven’t yet pleased the prime minister, but they’re keen to keep trying.

 

Penguin power

If Thais revel in occasional childishness, what to make of the South Koreans with their cartoon-adorned taxis? Apparently Children’s Day lasts all year round in Seoul, where the city government on Tuesday rolled out 20 cabs with Pororo the Little Penguin decorating the exterior. The popular character from an animated TV series is there to help the city “serve children better”, says the Korea Herald. 

For now the plan is to have the penguin roaming around until May, but it might be continued and maybe other comic heroes will be joining Pororo on the taxi doors.

It’s no extra charge to ride around in a cartoon taxi and, if you can’t snag one on the street, they can be booked through an online service. Unfortunately early demand has been high for the 20 cabs so you need to book a ride at least a week in advance. Once that’s done, you get a text message to confirm at least three days prior. So it’s a kids’ version of GrabTaxi or Uber. 

The idea is to “bring a little joy” into the everyday lives of the city’s shorter citizens. We can only assume that Prime Minister Prayut has heard about this too. Thais will not be properly happy until we have cartoon taxis in Bangkok too.