Download Thailand`s nickname wars: Modern `Tomcruise` vs

Thailand's nickname wars: Modern `Tomcruise' vs. traditional
`Pig'
September 04, 2007
THOMAS FULLER
NEW YORK TIMES
BANGKOK–America has Tom, Dick and Harry. Thailand has Pig, Money and Fat.
For as long as people here can remember, children have been given playful nicknames – classics include
Shrimp, Chubby and Crab – that are carried into adulthood.
But now, to the consternation of some, children are being given such offbeat English-language nicknames
as Mafia or Seven – as in 7-Eleven, the convenience store.
The spread of foreign names mirrors a rapidly urbanizing society that has absorbed any number of
influences, including Hollywood, fast-food chains and English Premier League soccer.
The trend worries Vira Rojpojchanarat, permanent secretary of the Thai Ministry of Culture. Vira, whose
nickname is the relatively unimaginative Ra, is on a campaign to revive the simple and often more
pastoral nicknames of yore.
"It's important because it's about the usage of the Thai language," Vira, an architect by training, said in
his office decorated with Thai theatrical masks and a small Buddhist altar.
"We worry that Thai culture will vanish."
With help from language experts at the Royal Institute, the official arbiter of the Thai language, Vira plans
to produce by the end of the year a collection of thousands of old-fashioned nicknames, listed by such
wholesome categories as colours, animals and fruit, and including simple favourites like Yaay (Big), Ouan
(Fat) and Dam (Black).
A small booklet of names will be distributed to news outlets and libraries, and posted on the Internet.
"We can't force people," Vira said. "It's their right to have their own ideas. But what we can do is give
them options by producing this handbook.''
The Culture Ministry's plans have not yet been made public, but some Thais, when told about the
nickname campaign, were skeptical.
"I don't agree with this; it's unnecessary," said Manthanee Akaracharanrya, a 29-year-old real estate
contractor. Manthanee, whose nickname is Money, says having an English name is practical because it is
easier for foreigners to pronounce, unlike Thai names, which are tonal and can include sounds alien to
non-Thai speakers.
Her name has meaning, Manthanee said.
Her father chose Money because she was born Nov. 29, around the time his paycheque landed. Her elder
brother is named Bonus because he was born on Chinese New Year, when some companies hand out extra
cash. And her younger brother is called Bank, because it fit the theme.
Korakoad Wongsinchai, an English teacher at a private primary school in Bangkok, is also unsure if the
Culture Ministry campaign will stem the English nickname tide. "Parents think they are modern names,"
Korakoad said of the foreign nicknames. "Thai names are from 20 years ago.''
More than half her students have English names, she said, including: Tomcruise, Elizabeth, Army, Kiwi,
Charlie and God. One food-minded family named their child Gateaux, French for cakes.
"I think a lot of parents get the names from television or magazines," she said.
Korakoad, 30, carries the nickname Moo (Pig), a traditional name of which Vira
approves. It will be in the booklet.