'The Nation' works out a bug in its editorials

Published on July 16, 2007

Stephff, who spells his name funny, can't remember his other name, and is our editorial cartoonist (as well as being personal cartoonist to ex-UN chief Kofi Anan), showed up with intent to cause trouble.

He brought along his professional satirist's kit and made a beeline for the big display board where everyone was writing their best wishes.

Stephff contribution was one of those giant cockroaches he's always drawing on our op-ed page. It was holding a glass of champagne and saying, "Congratulations!" And it was very big.

Within moments the Thai News Network had issued a bulletin about a crazed farang letting cockroaches loose inside the most beautiful mall in the world.

Paragon security officers were poised to pounce, but luckily for Stephff, a squad of children - major comics fans to a tot - quickly surrounded him and started begging for tattoos.

Only then did everyone realise that the Frenchman meant no harm. Mall staff relaxed (as did several Nation Group honchos who had no idea who he was either).

And to show that there were no hard feelings, Stephff drew another cockroach.

This time, though, he offered it up in sacrifice. His new sketch showed the bug being squashed beneath a boot, and he added words guaranteeing that there are no (actual) cockroaches at Siam Paragon.

What kind of hovel does this guy live in, anyway? We're definitely going to have to give him a raise.