Thailand's House of Representatives (สภาผู้แทนราษฎร) spent half an hour yesterday debating whether it was appropriate to use the word ฉิบหาย in parliamentary discourse, after MP Somkid Balthaisong (สมคิด บาลไธสง) of the Pheu Thai Party uttered it in in reference to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya (กษิต ภิรมย์), saying he has brought "ruin" to the country (the Nation translates it "disaster").
The eventual ruling by the Deputy House Speaker was that it wasn't rude.
I think I know what the Word of the Day for today will be...
[Hat tip to Catherine]
Thai children learn that the word is rude, but, when they go to school, they also learn it was the fate of Ayutthaya. It is similar to English usage for 'damn' and 'damnation.'
ReplyDeleteI think I know what the Word of the Day for today will be...
ReplyDeleteฉิบหายล่ะ ?
It ended up being Monday's WOTD. :)
ReplyDelete