Sign language gesture for Thai PM misinterpreted

Sign interpreters in Thailand often indicate prominent facial features as a shorthand for dignitaries, but have run afoul of some ruling party supporters by holding their noses to refer to the new prime minister.

Samak Sundaravej, chosen in parliament on Monday as the first elected prime minister since a September 2006 coup, has been nicknamed "Mr. Rose Apple Nose" because many claim his nose resembles the fruit.

During a live broadcast of the parliamentary session, sign language interpreters held their noses between two fingers numerous times to refer to Samak.

One Kanittha Rattanasin, said this gesture has long been used for Samak but is drawing wide notice only now.

"It is not meant as a nose joke," she said. "We have touched our noses for years to refer to Samak but people noticed this time because we had to repeat the movement more than 300 times."

Another Juthamas Suthonwattanacharoen, said that Samak supporters have called the National Association of the Deaf in Thailand to say the sign does not befit the country's leader, and the Matichon newspaper said the gesture angered some members of Samak's party.

Samak, 72, easily beat Democrat party candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva, 43, to head the country.

"We refer to a person's most unique physical appearance and for Abhisit, it's his good looks," Juthamas said. "If someone has very long eyelashes, or prominent ears, we use those."

Meanwhile, top generals backed the new government yesterday, with the one-time coup leader saying he still "loves" ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin told reporters that he had spoken to Thaksin twice by phone this month, but that they had not discussed the ousted leader's possible return home.

"Our talks were straightforward and frank, but I did not discuss his return to Thailand and neither of us made any concessions," Sonthi said.

Army General Anupong Paojinda also said yesterday that Samak's government should be judged on its performance.