Thailand: Foreign Ministry clears misunderstanding of Minister’s choice of words
April 1, 2009
Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On 1 April 2009, Mr. Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information and Foreign Ministry spokesman, responded to the press regarding the reaction by His Excellency Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, to Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya’s remarks during the censure debate at the Thai parliamentary on 20 March 2009.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman noted that the matter was a misunderstanding as to the correct interpretation of the terms used by Minister Kasit to describe the Prime Minister of Cambodia. The term the Minister used during the debate was “Suparb Burut Jai Nak Leng”.
The Foreign Ministry as well as the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh already discussed with the Cambodian side to clear up this unfortunate misunderstanding.The Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, also talked to the Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand.
The spokesman further explained that in Thai language, the word “Nak Leng” or “นักเลง” has several connotations, including, among others, tough guy, big-hearted person and sporting. When the Foreign Minister combined this word with the term “Suparb Burut,” which means a gentleman, into the term “สุภาพบุรุษใจนักเลง” (“Suparb Burut Jai Nak Leng”), it clearly shows that he meant that His Excellency Samdech Hun Sen was “a gentleman” (“Suparb Burut”) with “a big heart”. (“Jai Nak Leng”) or a sportsman-like gentleman. Any Thais, when asked what “Suparb Burut Jai Nak Leng” means, would concur that this term is a compliment.
April 1, 2009
Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On 1 April 2009, Mr. Tharit Charungvat, Director-General of the Department of Information and Foreign Ministry spokesman, responded to the press regarding the reaction by His Excellency Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, to Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya’s remarks during the censure debate at the Thai parliamentary on 20 March 2009.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman noted that the matter was a misunderstanding as to the correct interpretation of the terms used by Minister Kasit to describe the Prime Minister of Cambodia. The term the Minister used during the debate was “Suparb Burut Jai Nak Leng”.
The Foreign Ministry as well as the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh already discussed with the Cambodian side to clear up this unfortunate misunderstanding.The Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, also talked to the Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand.
The spokesman further explained that in Thai language, the word “Nak Leng” or “นักเลง” has several connotations, including, among others, tough guy, big-hearted person and sporting. When the Foreign Minister combined this word with the term “Suparb Burut,” which means a gentleman, into the term “สุภาพบุรุษใจนักเลง” (“Suparb Burut Jai Nak Leng”), it clearly shows that he meant that His Excellency Samdech Hun Sen was “a gentleman” (“Suparb Burut”) with “a big heart”. (“Jai Nak Leng”) or a sportsman-like gentleman. Any Thais, when asked what “Suparb Burut Jai Nak Leng” means, would concur that this term is a compliment.
23 comments:
thai or khmer, nak leng means gangster, youkong, which is ah hun sen. that is it.
អ្នកឯងគួរតែទៅដុសមាត់ដ៏ស្អុយរបស់អ្នកឯង
សិនមុននឹងនិយាយទៅរកអ្នកដ៏ទៃអូខេ!
Well as far I knew Hun Sen is the head of the CPP gangster and the whole
World knew that too.
Yes, this is different intention:
1. Thai part might mean good
2. But the bad Khmer part will accept this automatically because he is already bad
5:19 AM
Hun Sen isn't bad in my opinions. Learn that what you believe isn't necessarily true for all others. Subjective is the word.
6:08AM,
If yoy think Hun Sen is not bad, who else can be bad. A person with such arrogant and cocky conduct deserves to be cursed and cussed by decent Khmer people. I think you 're Hun Sen's dog.
4:58AM is right. This word Neak Leng or Nak Leng in Khmer or Thai means the same - rough or tough guy, or ganster. It is not a good word. The Thai wants to water down the diplomatic damage by saying that Kasit really said "Sophab buruj chai nak leng" meaning "Supheap boroj chitr neak leng" in Khmer, or a gentleman or gentle person with ganster heart in English. This is still bad for HunXen to be called this way by a Thai FM.
Can HunXen call the Thai King or PM "Suphab buruj Chai nak leng Abhisit?". NO NO NO.
Thai or Tai is the same they stole and keep stealing. Some of you so happy to hear these word because the tai call PM Hun Sen "Nak Leng". It's absurd.
PM Hun Sen is Khmer and I am Khmer if the Tai dare to call PM of Cambodia "Nak Leng" it goes to all Khmer, you and I also. If anyone here is Hun Sen's dog then the rest is Tai's dogs.
Fair explanation and acceptable.
Funny, Thai stolve Khmer language, just about everything else, and now they are trying to explain Khmer word to Khmer (sic)!
Who s care! about calling Hun Sen this and that must something speciality on him! Sometimes Hun Sen was rude to the his own King Father and his fellow countrymen as well. it depends on how you treat people in human or unhuman. The boys at school are listening and learning and following the attitute of their teachers, leaders, fathers, mothers and their mates.
Lets work to build peace and economy in the region. Specially around our neihbouring with a good heart and honesty. Start from something small, from a project to projects, programs. Fighting is not a solution. Everyone can avoid that. Can't you?
Let's me translate the words in Thai above as follow in Khmer and its meaning:
"Supharb Burut jai nak leng" in Thai and "Sopheab Buros Chet neak Leng"
There is positive and negative meaning - Sopheab Buros in Khmer and Sopharb Burut in Thai = Gentle man. This is the positive meaning.
But "Chet Neak Leng in Khmer, and Jai Nak Leng " = Heart (thought) is the Gangster or Thug. Negative meaning.
In general, if they treat someone is the bad guy, bad man, the gangster and the Thug, they often name or call this man as the "Nak Leng.
So in summary Hun Sen is the Gentle man but Heart or Though is the Gangster or Rough man that means in Thai "PM Hun Sen Pen Sopharb Burut Te Chit Pen Nak Leng" and Khmer say " Samdach Hun Sen Chea Sopheab Buros Te Chet Chea Neak Leng".
Thank you
Whatever your position is, remember that you must be solid with the foreigner. I neither like Hun Sen, nor I voted for CPP, but since he's Khmer and I'm also Khmer, I'm against the Siamese.
Neak Leng,... I don't think this has a positive meaning. Like, implicitly, Hun Sen said "what if I call your king Neak Leng too?" In conclusion, those minority rulers don't know what diplomacy is. Thailand needs a revolution to put an end to the absolute monarchy and then build a "Republic of Thailand" with peaceful relations with all neighbours.
Got it?
Its up to Thai people! Customs and tradition is not easy to go away! Thai Monarchy is big there! Only monarchy can destroy monarchy! Example: Cambodia ex-King, King Father destroyed monarchy because he has been lost the trust from its people by played too much politics rather country's interests! I beleive our current King would have been learned the lesssons. Another example, Prince Rannarith committed adultery and lost his popularity. The cleaned, smart and family persons are required to lead the country in these days. Oh it just my shit chat comments. Cheers.
I am absolutely in agreement. We are Khmer. We must be solidly united in dealing with foriegners.
I am amazed and respecting PM's reaction to the neighbor this time.
However I still do not like the other part which criticizes our own Khmer race from other party for the sack of being out-smart.
A chicken thai try to white wash the remark. These are borrowed Khmer words that have a negative connotation.
12:11 PM,
Hey Guy who are you on the forum here? i saw your messy comment/Text here for weeks and everywhere. I could say HUN SEN is bad but how about you? you should place it where it should be and should be enough. CHRINH NASS!!!!!!!!
As Diplomat we have to use gentle diplpmatic term for both Cam-Thai sides if the word is good in Thai language But Worse in Khmer we shall not use it...
Nak Leng for instance diplomat have to learn both if it is used it should be good for all....
Any way I think this is the term of looking down on some one...this is not 1st time.
Befor.. thai army threw away GPS machine in front of Khmer Minister..
Thai flied many times violating cambodia..
Thai sent army many times across border into cambodia...
Thai did not allow Cambodian tourists entering Thai(legally enter with Visa/Diplomatic Passort..of many high-ranking officials...
This reaaly means that Thais LOOK DOWN ON Cambodia from lower to PM Hun Sen.
Phd Bandit Excellency Achar Knoy= PhD from Pahok Chamroeurn Avichea Univ. PPenh
If Hun Sen concerns so much of the world view of him, he should fix the problems. The problem is that we are considered to be the poorest country in the world, one of the highest illiteracy in the world and top 10 corrupted country in the world ect,. These problems is worse than being called a "Thug".
yes, the khmer word "neak leng" means many things; it is one of those vague words with many meanings. please be more specific because this word is so vague in meaning!
Thais have expressed his behavior to Cambodia Nation especially High Rank official up to PM.
In the past Thai Army made a lot of Suffering to Cambodia Refugees
- Thai has violated Khmer land... many times since Aug. 08
- Thai soldier has Broken down a GPS Machine of Cambodia delegate (in the face of Minister)in Tamoan temple
- Thai did not allow Cambodia Tourist(Boat Tour) to enter ThaiLand( all tourist got visa.. Diplomatic/Official Passports including high Rank officials Generals as well.
--- many other case
Now Thais play/test/look down to our PM.. If words good or bad positive/negative as Diplomat/representing Thai Nation.. Nak Leng shall not be used to compare with other leaders...
Thai considers our PM as a "Child" below 5 years old..
Any opologies shall not be accepted....
Thai FM as Thai PM want to play with a Child... test what will happen////
As a country of the world "Thai FM should be pushed to Resign.."
If no resignation Cambodia should not accept the opology..
Fighting and later attacking the Back is not good....
For the journalists.. writer... normal citizens.. publics using this TERM-Nak Leng is OK but as Foreign Minister... this act means LOOK DOWN...ON OUR STRONG MAN
Excellency Bandit PhD General Oknha Acha Knoy
"Neak leng" is a Khmer term that means "a gambler; a gangster". I already look it up in the Khmer-English dictionary. So no it does not have vague meanings at all. To challenge the Thai explanation of their use of their "term", then we must find an instant that the Thais use the very term to describe their criminals. Also double check the English translation of their term of "Nak Leng" as well. The term is a Khmer term and so it should retain the Khmer meaning. If it is truely so, then Hun Sen was deeply insulted by that Thai man for sure. In addition, it is also best to check with any Thai-speaking Khmer surin to ascertain its true meaning. It is so absurd that the Thais are so low that they have to use the Khmer terms. Hahah.
A couple Buddhist nations keep on fighting. Will they ever be real friends?
The literal facts of life are Hun Sen and Kasit are politicians and have money and power.
When someone offers the fake apology like Kasit did to Hun Sen, then be prepare for the real attacks, like "I'm gonna shoot a political Khmer Neak Leng".
We used to hear "Good will always win over evils", but neither one of them is good, so who will win and who will lose? The pipsqueak thug state like Cambodia cannot even feed the people will lose.
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