Thai Poet: Game of Thrones Proves Superiority of Royal Blood

BANGKOK —  Social media reacted with a mix of hilarity and awe Wednesday to a royalist poet’s rhyming verses praising “Game of Thrones” for proving the nobility of royal blood and malevolence of scheming commoners.

The unidentified poet, who often posts royalist messages on the widely followed Mr. Good Person page, lauded characters Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen for their merits as royals and berated their underhanded rivals, the Lannister family, for their greed and warmongering in a 16-line poem inspired by the show’s season finale, which aired Monday morning in Thailand.

“Game of Thrones is a political series about royalty / When radical leftists watch it, do they get uncomfortable?” the poet wrote.

In Monday’s episode, it was revealed that Snow was not a commoner but shared the same Targaryen royal lineage. In subsequent verse, the anonymous poet credited that royal blood for their noble deeds.

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“Jon’s a good, loyal person
It’s so clear. He’s a leader and teacher
He’s got good blood in him, so he won’t lose
In every episode, he’s handsome, I can confirm it”

As for the “merchant clan” of Lannisters: “Base, despicable-hearted usurpers / Waging war just to protect themselves.” The subtext of the poem seemed to be that Thaksinism is the looming existential threat that will end all life.

While his fans lauded his poetic talents and analysis, others were less kind.

“If you watch GOT and this is all you get from it, just go watch ‘Seven Colored Armor,’” Facebooker Pat Lerkeeratikul wrote, referencing an old Channel 7 soap about a magical royal family with seven sons named for each day of the week.

The different receptions appeared to break down along the usual political fault lines – of Thailand, not Westeros.

“Why did you write a poem berating PM Prayuth? ‘Base, despicable-hearted usurpers,’ that totally refers to him. Just totally get rid of Thaksinocracy already!” Phongsatorn Makkeaw wrote in a tongue-in-cheek comment.

“Why don’t you mention when Joffrey ordered the execution of Ned Stark?” Worrachai Wongkitrungruang wrote, referring to an unpopular decision by a particularly despised royal character.

Others weighed in on the relative merits of Westerosi political structures – and show off their knowledge of the popular show, which will broadcast its final season next year.

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“Jon got his position as Lord Commander through an election,” wrote user Yttinai Tong Yungcharoen. “As for King of the North, he was accepted by the Northern lords. He didn’t use force in a rebellion like Robert or Aegon Targaryen when he rode dragons to conquer the Seven Kingdoms.”

P.khondee, or “P Good Person,” has nearly 120,000 likes on his page and often posts fiery poems with nationalist and ultra-conservative themes, such as “Afraid To Roughen Up Your Knees? Debased, Angry!” posted in response to a student activist who was roughed up earlier this month by a professor for refusing to kneel before a king’s statue and walking out of a ceremony at Chulalongkorn University.

Here’s an unofficial translation of Mr. Good Person’s 295th poem:

‘295 Game of Thrones’ by P.khondee
(unofficial translation)

Game of Thrones is a political series about royalty
When radical leftists watch it, do they get uncomfortable?
Those who do good, get good
Evil people, even in characters, have it coming for them

Jon’s a good, loyal person
It’s so clear. He’s a leader and teacher
He’s got good blood in him, so he won’t lose
In every episode, he’s handsome, I can confirm it

Daenerys has a kind heart
Even being stripped of titles or attempted assassinations didn’t kill her
She’s above commoners and laymen
She’s determined to help the world be a better place

As for the Lannister merchant clan
So rich, so influential
Base, despicable-hearted usurpers
Waging war just to protect themselves

Such danger are the ghosts from beyond the Wall
They broke through, and people will die everywhere
If there’s no cooperation among people
The ghosts will pillage and conquer all the land

Mr. Good Person
29/8/2017