Thai sense of humour?

Different cultures, different attitudes, a very different sense of humour... or is it? British irony, sarcasm will go straight over the head of the average Thai. Most Thais seem to love visual humour, slapstick, the risqué.

Borrowing an ancient scooter I asked for the key. The response of the katoey 'ladyboy' owner had everyone in fits. When finally they got around to explaining, the translation went: "A key? She's an ancient whore, stick anything in her and she'll perform..."

O.... kay....

So what's the joke? The onlookers don't seem that amused as a Thai policeman prepares to issue a ticket...

Of course the katoeys themselves are the 'butt' of much humour in Thailand. They often take the place of the Western clown in sitcoms. Dressing up has Thais in stitches. Slapstick and impersonations go down a treat. Being 'PC' isn't a concern - Race and sex are always good for a giggle - not least, the farangs. Jokes about being overweight? Dwarfism? Not a problem.

But some humour is global. Maybe we're not so different after all...




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8 comments:

Smorg said...

roflmao.... I can't decide from which side he looks more cop-like... Front or back!

Mr. Nighttime said...

OMG! LOL, that's funny! If that happened here, he would have to arrest himself for indecent exposure.

Jenny Beattie said...

Oh brilliant. I wish they dressed like that in Bangkok.

Martyn said...

Love the photo. The Thai's certainly do like slapstick humour, Mr Bean is well liked here and my old time favourites Jerry Lewis and Norman Wisdom would have went down a storm. Best wishes from Udon Thani.

Mike said...

Great photographs perhaps a caption along the lines of "the short arm of the law" would be appropriate.

Did you take the pics?

The Frogblogger said...

Wish I had been there, but no, they were sent to me by my sister-in-law2B. I seem to be on a mailing list that results in my getting some extremely weird stuff from LOS, and to start with I thought I was being targeted by some Thai weirdos before I realised who it was. Can't post most of the pics! They really do have an odd sense of fun sometimes!

Catherine said...

Hilarious! I wish the Thai cops would dress like that in Bangkok too.

Some of them anyway :-)

Talen said...

Excellent pictures, I couldn't believe my eyes as I scanned down them.

Would love to see the good old boys in Nakhon Phanom like this onece!