When you pore over newspapers and news feed as much as I do (but perhaps not in a desperate search to find something to write about), you can come across headlines that stop you between scrolling and tabs saved for their unintentional amusement. Here are a few to leave you scratching your head or make you chuckle away.
4 เณร ชนะเลิศ ROV งานสัปดาห์ วิชาการฯ ม.ขอนแก่นฯ (Workpoint News, August 18, 2019)
Four Novice Monks Named Winners of ROV at Khon Kaen Uni Fair
The story: Congratulations go to a team of four novice monks, who won the first place in an esports competition for Matayom students or equivalents. The contest was part of Khon Kaen University Academic Week. Attaining nirvana leaves you with a lot of free time to tap away on smartphones, it seems.
The reaction: Of course, a lot of netizens wonder if the boy monks committed an offence to their holy status. You see, a novice is supposed to follow the 10 precepts. The first one forbids killing a being. Monsters are technically living things and you shouldn't harm them even virtually. The seventh forbids dancing, singing, playing music and watching entertainment. (Which begs the question: Why is Pantip filled with monks?).
Boys, you didn't commit the worst offence here -- and I appreciate the strategy and the skill you guys have to be champion gamers -- but acing a video game is unbecoming for a novice monk.
Also, aren't the female characters in the game scantily clad?
โล่งอกไปที! ตำรวจลุยตรวจ วอล์กกิ้ง สตรีท พัทยา ไม่พบคนขายบริการ-ยาเสพติด (Khao Sod, June 8, 2019)
Relieved! Police inspection on Pattaya's Walking Street uncovers no prostitutes or drugs
The story: A joint team of the Chon Buri police, tourist police, immigration police and soldiers conducted a random inspection on entertainment venues on the infamous walking street in Pattaya. It was reported that all venues operated legally and have proper licenses.
The reaction: They didn't look hard enough, perhaps? They may have had a better chance of exposing illegal activities had they not shown up in a big group and in their respective uniforms. Did someone inform proprietors of the squad's arrival in advance?
'พุทธิพงษ์'เข้าสักการะ'ท้าวมหาพรหม' ก่อนเริ่มงาน 'รมต. ดีอี' (Naew Na, July 18, 2019)
'Buddhipongse' pays respects to 'Thao Maha Phrom' on his first day as DE Minister
The story: Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta led a rather solemn ceremony where he and his staff paid respects to a Phra Phrom shrine, the Thai representation of Hindu god Brahma. He also paid respects to a Buddha statue. A table was set up for the many food offerings on golden pedestal trays and he stuck a joss stick into each of them. It ended with him throwing marigold petals and a group photo, of course.
The reaction: Faith aside, if you don't find anything ironic about a minister in charge of digital affairs paying respects to a deity, then I don't know what will.