Thai Airline Apologizes for Insulting Phuket Heroines

[Hans Mann]

PHUKET - A Thai airline has apologized for misspelling the names of two historical figures in its in-flight magazine, which was deemed offensive by some residents of Phuket province.

In the April issue of Thai Smile's magazine, the names of Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Sunthon, two warriors who led a local resistance against Burmese invaders in the 18th century, were misspelled to read "Feet of Thep Kasattri and Feet of Sri Sunthon."

Feet, which are pronounced as “tao” in Thai, are considered offensive in Thai culture.

Photos of the misspellings quickly surfaced on the internet and were widely shared on social media, with some commentators taking offense at the error. Thai Smile is a low-cost airline that is owned and operated by Thai Airways, the national flag carrier of Thailand.

Kornthichart Wattanapat, secretary of the Phuket-based Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Sunthon Foundation, also issued a letter to Thai Smile headquarters demanding an apology.

"Your publication lacks careful [oversight] and misspelled the names of Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Sunthorn, as the attached document shows. Such action is deeply inappropriate," the letter said.

Natenapang Teerawat, deputy chairperson of Thai Smile, and other representatives from the company also conducted a ceremony in front of the statues of Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Sunthon in Phuket province to....

Thai Airline Apologizes for Insulting Phuket Heroines

[harrybarracuda]

Feet are considered offensive?

I must remember to get mine amputated before I next visit.

[thaimeme]

Social myths...

[Neverna]

Send the culprits back to school for extra spelling classes.

เท้า = Foot/feet

ท้าว = "Lady" (or whatever the title)

[Horatio Hornblower]

The junta leader will have to get the publisher in for some training on ancient Thai history.

[thaimeme]

Send the culprits back to school for extra spelling classes.

เท้า = Foot/feet

ท้าว = "Lady" (or whatever the title)

Well spotted.

[thaimeme]

The junta leader will have to get the publisher in for some training on ancient Thai history.

Actually, a real training course regarding the rewriting of contemporary Thai history would certainly be more appropriate for this occasion -