Surely not 'The Nation'!

The reporter, naturally, was dazed and confused, but nevertheless went through the paper just to double check.

"Lady, are you sure it wasn't Not The Nation that ran the story?" asked The Nation reporter.

"Yes, it was Not The Nation. Isn't it the same company?"

"Well, not exactly," said The Nation's editor Thanong Khanthong. "But we admire their satirical take on Thailand's social and political scene. I think what we need in this country is a little humour," Thanong said.

According to the satirical report posted on www.notthenation.com, some 600 PAD members stormed the French Embassy.

"Climbing over the fences and overpowering the guards, the PAD entered the actual embassy building at around 8.45am, overturning desks and breaking windows," Not The Nation reported.

It quoted PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul calling for the removal of all French influence from the country at once.

"Since 1789, they have advocated dangerous and anti-Thai ideas about republicanism, as well as violently overthrown the sovereignty of their king, Louis XVI," Not The Nation quoted Sondhi as saying.

On a more serious note, a sense of humour is needed in Thailand. As ironic as it may be, we need to be able to laugh at ourselves, especially now when the county's people are at each other throats. Believe it or not, it is part of the healing process.

Too often we see ourselves as being virtuous, morally upright and incapable of doing wrong. We tend to ignore the fact that there are other ways of looking at ourselves, no matter how twisted they may be.

Obviously the lady who called our newsroom ignored the word "Not" in front of "The Nation". It is hoped that she appreciates the website's satirical offerings the same way many of us here at the newsroom do.