Comedian Udom "Nose" Taepanich's latest standup special has rubbed some government supporters the wrong way, but Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon is urging the public to take it as entertainment.
"I'm following his work and admire his talent," Gen Prawit said in a phone interview yesterday. "As for his criticism of the government... He has touched on that in every show.
"I think he's doing it for entertainment, and the audience should use discretion," he added. "There shouldn't be any drama about it."
Deaw 13, filmed in August, has become the talk of the town after it became available for streaming on Netflix last week. In the show, he takes several shots at Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, and some of his supporters are not amused by the antic.
Some of the most controversial gags touch on the government's 20-year national strategy and compare the country to an aircraft.
"Our plane is piloted by a security guard," he said, referring to the country's leadership. "I'm not saying he is a bad guy. We must make it clear. I used to like him as you did. But being a good person and being a good pilot are different stories."
"You won't ask a monk to fly a plane, will you? Our plane is being piloted by someone who doesn't know how to [fly]."
The comedian said passengers would not be in the wrong to ask where the plane is heading, but noted that they are scolded and told it's a 20-year journey.
"I think 20 minutes is too long," he said, drawing audience applause.
Government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri said on Friday that any fair criticism of the government can be accepted in a democratic society, but he said some of the jokes are inappropriate.
He said the comedian did take shots at previous governments but it isn't the same kind of criticism. He said he has not idea whether Gen Prayut will take legal action against the comedian.
Mr Anucha said artists are considered social influencers and they are expected to make criticism in good faith.
Activist Srisuwan Janya is among those not amused by the jokes in the show.
"See you soon," he wrote on his Facebook page, implying that he will seek legal action against the comedian.