ประชาชนต้องมาก่อน
ประชาชนต้องมาก่อน: A Tale of Appointments and Absenteeism
"ประชาชนต้องมาก่อน"—a phrase that echoes through government offices and public service announcements. It’s a promise, a duty, and a commitment to put the citizens first. But sometimes, it seems the phrase has been taken far too literally—so much so that the only thing arriving early is you, the citizen, standing awkwardly in an empty government office.
8:00 AM: The Early Bird Catches... Absolutely Nothing
You show up at 8:00 AM sharp, armed with appointment confirmation slips, identification cards, and an optimism that would make even a motivational speaker blush. The office door creaks open, and you step in, expecting a bustling scene of efficiency and productivity.
Instead, you are greeted by... absolutely no one.
Not a single soul in sight. The chairs are empty, the air conditioner is still off, and the flickering fluorescent lights hum the song of neglected government budgets. Even the portraits of distinguished leaders on the wall seem to glance at you with pity.
Not a computer is turned on. Desks are littered with outdated forms and stacks of mysterious paper that may very well have been signed by King Rama V himself. The only sound breaking the eerie silence is the tok tok tok of a gecko echoing from the corner.
8:30 AM: The Citizens Are Coming
More citizens trickle in, clutching documents and squinting at their watches. You exchange knowing glances—everyone here has experienced "ประชาชนต้องมาก่อน" before. The phrase rolls off the tongue, but it feels more like "ประชาชนต้องมาก่อน—มาเพื่อรอ" (Citizens Come First—Come to Wait).
A brave soul knocks on the office door, but the resounding echo confirms what you already know—there’s nobody there. A janitor appears out of thin air to mop a spotless floor, carefully avoiding eye contact. You wonder if he knows more about the office operations than the actual employees.
9:00 AM: The Long-Awaited Arrival
Finally, the click of high heels and the shuffle of sensible shoes signal the arrival of government officials, who look like they’ve just finished a five-star breakfast. An air of lethargy radiates from them as they shuffle to their desks, powered by the arcane forces of coffee and government salaries.
Computers boot up with the urgency of a Windows 98 machine, and one by one, officials plop down in their chairs. By 9:30 AM, the office is alive... or at least conscious.
Your appointment is scheduled for 8:00 AM, but you’re finally called up around 10:00 AM. It’s a miracle! The official glances at your paperwork, scribbles something illegible, and asks you to come back next week. "ประชาชนต้องมาก่อน," they say with a weary smile.
3:30 PM: The Great Exodus
The office is in full swing. People are being helped, documents are being stamped, and the faint aroma of instant noodles drifts from somewhere in the back. But the clock strikes 3:30 PM, and like clockwork, the energy in the room plummets.
Phones are slammed down, desks are hastily cleared, and the official who asked you to come back next week has already vanished. You blink, and suddenly the office looks exactly like it did at 8:00 AM. Empty. Lifeless. A government official’s equivalent of a rage quit from work.
It’s like someone triggered a fire alarm, but instead of evacuating, the officials have collectively decided to stop existing. The lights are still on, but nobody is home—metaphorically and literally.
5:00 PM: A Dream That Never Was
The sign on the wall still boldly declares office hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, a statement that now feels like a cruel joke. You mutter "ประชาชนต้องมาก่อน" one last time before heading home, defeated but enlightened.
You realize the phrase has always been true—citizens do come first... because we’re always the first to arrive, and often the last to be served. The system remains as resilient as ever—just like the gecko still chirping in the corner.
Final Thoughts: A System Built on Hope and Delusion
So next time you see the phrase "ประชาชนต้องมาก่อน," remember that it’s not just a motto—it’s a life lesson. Come early, stay late, and expect nothing. After all, the only thing more reliable than government hours is the gecko in the corner.
