In Thailand, critics turn to comedy to take on junta
Bangkok, July 19: Dissent has been muted by Thailand’s ruling generals since a 2014 coup. But, there is one area where critical voices still have some space: humour.
With political activity banned, internet censorship in force and activists and dissidents detained or summoned for “attitude adjustment”, public discontent is being manifested in widely shared cartoons, internet memes, and parody music videos.
“Thais are becoming more open to what critics and humorists are saying about the junta and the military government,” political satirist Winyu “John” Wongsurawat said. Winyu is the co-host of YouTube show Shallow News in Depth, which uses humour to comment on politics. Last week, Thai pop band Tattoo Colour released a video for their single Dictator Girl, which opens with a book titled 44 Rules — a reference to Article 44, a measure that gives junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha absolute power in the name of national security.
Dictator Girl includes lyrics such as: “I must accept everything” and “there are no equal rights”, not-so-subtle references to the ruling National Council for Peace and Order, which has broadly cowed opponents into silence.
“We’re happy that people get it and try to interpret what we meant,” Nittakarn Kaewpiyasawad, who directed the video, said.
Also at the forefront of the trend is Facebook page, Kai Maew. Known for comic strips featuring prominent political figures, it has more than 350,000 followers. It is produced anonymously.
In one of its most popular strips, Prayuth is depicted in a tank — a nod to the junta’s recent military spending — past a farmer struggling with falling commodity prices and a civilian, who can’t afford health care.
Another Facebook page uses memes from the 2004 movie Mean Girls to tackle topics including election that has been pushed back several times.