National elections no joke for former comedian Nattawut

For years Nattawut Saikuar has performed the role of the sharptongued politician for the opposition in the television programme, “Sapha Joke” (Mock Parliament). But off screen, the former comedian sees nothing funny about running for the ruling Thai Rak Thai party.

“In real politics, I prefer to be a part of a party that implements the policies. I don’t want to be a politician who only comments on the others. It is not fair to those people who vote for me,” he says.

Nattawut’s political education started early, as a high school student he appeared on Channel 9’s debate programme, “High School Education Debate”. He continued to take part in similar shows while in school.

Eventually he became the script writer and dialogue provider for the popular “Puppet Government”, ITV’s political talk show and ultimately he took on the role of the spoof opposition orator in “Sapha Joke”.

Nattawut, 30, who is running in his hometown of Nakhon Si Thammarat, has a master’s degree in political administration from the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida).

He credits his early interest in politics to a grandfather who was a villagehead, an uncle who was a kamnan and another uncle who was a provincial politician.

“After class, my uncle would pick me from school to go to the electioneering stage. I would change my clothing behind it and go up to make a speech campaigning for my uncle,” Nattawut recalls.

Despite his representation of the leader of the opposition in the show, Nattawut says he has no qualms about his colleague’s acceptance of his new political role within Thai Rak Thai.

“The party realises that my role in ‘Sapha Joke’ was only a performance, I was chosen to act as the opposition’s politician due to my aggressive character and ability to add colour to the show.”

He said he has an advantage over his incumbent rivals because residents in his constituency are already familiar with his face.

“Moreover, people can rest assured that I will not sit silently in the Parliament and I won’t just vanish from the area after I win the seat. I will truly be their representative.”

Nattawut is campaigning on the streets of his constituency. He bought four pairs of shoes and said he has already worn out one pair.

“People have given me a very warm welcome. If the welcomes translate into votes ... I will win the election.”

Chatrarat Kaewmorakot
The Nation