Ministry questions use of 1976 massacre in rap video

By KORNRAWEE PANYASUPPAKUN 
THE NATION

 

 

Thammasat lecturers say rappers are reflecting sentiments of the masses

 

THE DEFENCE Ministry yesterday called on relevant authorities to review the music video of the rap song, “Prathet Ku Mee” (My Country’s Got…), which has already garnered more than 23 million views on YouTube, particularly the scenes that refer to the 1976 massacre at Thammasat University. 

 

 

Defence Ministry spokesman Lt-General Kongcheep Trantravanich said he wanted to ask why the producers had decided to refer to the October 6, 1976 massacre by depicting men taking turns hitting a corpse hanging from a tree. 

 

“The scenes only depict their personal satisfaction from violence,” he said, adding that relevant authorities should examine the video to see if it reflects violence in society or if it intends to stir violence. 

 

He said he was speaking on behalf of a government subcommittee on building reconciliation in the country. 

 

Some professors, meanwhile, applauded the song, saying it was a challenge to the “dictatorial” junta government, which has for long stopped people from expressing their views. They were speaking at a seminar on “Art, Power and Disobedience” held by Thammasat University yesterday. 

 

Visual Arts lecturer Thanom Chapakdee said the song was liberating for people affected by censorship and the limits put on their freedom of expression by the government via the use of laws such as Article 44. 

 

“The people are starving and looking for someone to speak for them. Now people are brave enough to press ‘like’, but too afraid to sing along,” he said.

 

‘Art no longer free’

 

He pointed out that art was being screened and artists had to look for alternatives. This rap number, for instance, was released online using blockchain technology, which makes it impossible for the government to delete the file or block access.

 

Sawatree Suksri, Thammasat law lecturer, said dictators ban political art because it can have a very strong impact on people. It is easy to understand and makes convoluted political issues understandable, she said.

 

 

Earlier, anti-government songs could easily be banned for reasons like being a threat to “national security” or “morality”. But “Prathet Ku Mee” is different. It was uploaded to YouTube on October 22 by the Rap Against Dictatorship group and had attracted 23.6 million views as of press time yesterday with tens of thousands of comments. 

 

The number of views skyrocketed after some senior government officials, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, made harsh comments. Police threatened to take legal action against the band, but later changed their mind and chose to stay quiet. 

 

Nutthapong Srimuong, who raps under the alias Liberate P, said he had rejected an offer from “somebody” to produce a rap song for the election campaign earlier.

 

“I don’t think rapping is okay in campaigning for votes. It’s more about saying what you think and what you feel,” he said. 

 

Sawatree said the authorities have had to swallow their words because they realised that the more they tried to close people’s eyes and ears, the more people will want to hear it. 

 

However, she does not believe this small victory would end censorship. “The rappers are lucky to get away this time, because it is in the public interest,” she said. 

 

Earlier, the government had said that the group might be violating the Computer Crime Act, which prohibits information that is inconsistent with the truth and might undermine national security.

 

Personally, Sawatree said, she believes the song is telling the blatant truth: “This is a country where the government is untouchable and the police uses the law to threaten people.” 

 

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that though he had not listened to the song yet, police would deal with it if there were anything wrong with it. 

 

“I don’t know why I have to listen to the song. There can only be two reactions to it, you love it or you don’t,” he said. 

 

The lyrics also mention Prawit’s controversial collection of luxury watches, which is still being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

 

Meanwhile, National Police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda said the band should consider coming up with a song about tourism and the conservation of Thai culture. “I want the band to write a song that shows all dimensions of the country, which has many aspects,” he said. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30357625

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-01

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that though he had not listened to the song yet, police would deal with it if there were anything wrong with it. 

 

“I don’t know why I have to listen to the song. There can only be two reactions to it, you love it or you don’t,” he said. 

 

A bit like your unelected Government Mr, watchman, but the difference is, most the majority love the song ! 

Edited October 31, 20187 yr by Thaiwrath

"...Personally, Sawatree said, she believes the song is telling the blatant truth: “This is a country where the government is untouchable and the police uses the law to threaten people...” 

 

Well said.

 

"...Defence Ministry spokesman Lt-General Kongcheep Trantravanich said he wanted to ask why the producers had decided to refer to the October 6, 1976 massacre by depicting men taking turns hitting a corpse hanging from a tree. 

“The scenes only depict their personal satisfaction from violence,” he said, adding that relevant authorities should examine the video to see if it reflects violence in society or if it intends to stir violence..." 

 

I would say that they used the footage to remind people of the military's contemptuous view of the Thai people, going back generations and continuing until today.

 

The video is great, and I sincerely hope that one day it is recognized as a galvanizing and contributing factor in the (successful!) battle to rid the Thai people of their oppressive military.

 

 

Edited October 31, 20187 yr by Samui Bodoh

Songwriters for years have used government violence as themes for their songs. From U2 to Joan Baez, etc etc.

 

But this will bring youtube bans again, as it was 10 years ago. 

 

Is history repeating itself, in Thailand? I think so...............????

1 hour ago, webfact said:

This rap number, for instance, was released online using blockchain technology, which makes it impossible for the government to delete the file or block access.

Cue invocation of the Computer Crimes Act, arrests to follow soon.

It was said that the authorities would've preferred the reference to the 1973, 1992, or 2010 massacres. 

This song is fantastic (and normally I loathe rap). It is powerful because it springs from a passionate heart. And because it tells the unvarnished truth. 

The cowards who are referenced by the song - pathetic little creeps who are less than worms without their guns and tanks - have run away in fear at this song, because it has garnered 23 million views and worldwide 'likes'. As I keep saying, imagine what the Thais could do - IN THEIR MILLIONS - if they truly stood up to this regime: it would fall.

 

The power is in the hands of the Thais - and the dramatic effect of this song, which has caused the Authorities to back off in cowardly, self-contradicting fear - proves it.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

he said, adding that relevant authorities should examine the video to see if it reflects violence in society or if it intends to stir violence. 

more contentless crap; means what ever they want it to mean; much like 'national security'

8 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

more contentless crap; means what ever they want it to mean; much like 'national security'

Seems to be universal for all governments.

This cover of national security to use any time and any instance.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that though he had not listened to the song yet, police would deal with it if there were anything wrong with it. 

“I don’t know why I have to listen to the song. There can only be two reactions to it, you love it or you don’t,” he said

Meaning: If the government think they can get away with suppressing it, they will instruct the police to make up a charge against them.

Don't forget, in the past the police have made up charges. For example: "eating a sandwich with political intent"

 

Regarding "There can only be two reactions to it, you love it or you don’t", that's rubbish. Prawit probably just sees things as a white watch face with black hands, like on one of his Timex watches.

I personally hate rap music (I see it as 'rap' preceded with a 'c'), but I fully support the message this group is trying to get across.

(Looks like I'm a 'volunteer' for re-education attitude adjustment.)

3 hours ago, webfact said:

the band should consider coming up with a song about tourism and the conservation of Thai culture

 

Hey, they make rap music....not crap music.

The relevant authorities fail to see the relevance, who'd a thought

3 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Meanwhile, National Police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda said the band should consider coming up with a song about tourism and the conservation of Thai culture. “I want the band to write a song that shows all dimensions of the country, which has many aspects,” he said. 

 

Careful what you wish for.....

 

Which images of tourism do you want them to depict? Sinking boats? Rats and rubbish covering world class resorts? Islands (not so) slowly being covered with rubbish?

 

I thought the first video covered Thai culture very well.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“The scenes only depict their personal satisfaction from violence,” he said, adding that relevant authorities should examine the video to see if it reflects violence in society or if it intends to stir violence. 

 

This from a military man, the people who have been involved in far more violence towards Thai citizens than ever they have with foreign invaders. The institution that has even recently been involved in the death and beatings of young recruits by seniors and yet does little to stop it. The same people who have been accused of torture on citizens from the South but refuses to implement a law banning it. Tell me again, Lt-General Kongcheep, just who is it that truly reflects violence in Thai society.

Keep questioning the song. Keep puffing your chest out and at the same time showing you’re scared. 

 

Hell! Ban YouTube. Show the world how you’re heading towards democracy. 

2 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

It was said that the authorities would've preferred the reference to the 1973, 1992, or 2010 massacres. 

its all about who sanctioned and encouraged the 1976 one!

 

Presently on YouTube it has a 97.5% upvote:

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, National Police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda said the band should consider coming up with a song about tourism and the conservation of Thai culture.

Yeap. This attitude where the rich and powerful think they actually own those people beaneath them, and everything you do as a Thai, is always about Thailand and how it makes Thailand look. 

 

1 minute ago, attrayant said:

Presently on YouTube it has a 97.5% upvote:

 

And the 22,000 down votes are possibly from rap music video critics in the US who thought the video needed more girls twerking and some low riders but had nothing to do with the rap which they conceded was very good ????

Spotty Oiks Anthem.[emoji1351]‍[emoji441]


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

shouldnt they question why they are questioning the masacre then. Derrrrr..... cuckoo cuckoo

'National Police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda said the band should consider coming up with a song about tourism and the conservation of Thai culture'.

 

There we have the whole of the ridiculous, lying, intelligence-insulting, moronic Thai Establishment in one sentence. They would expect Orwell to write a song praising Big Brother and extolling the sage vision of 'Freedom is Slavery' and 'Ignorance is Strength' - the perfect slogans, by the way, for the Thai Establishment's attitudes and inculcation of the Thai people.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, National Police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda said the band should consider coming up with a song about tourism and the conservation of Thai culture.

If you want a song like that then you should write it. And sing and dance to it.

I would pay money to see you do it, Chakthip..., 5 baht.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He said he was speaking on behalf of a government subcommittee on building reconciliation in the country. 

1 hour ago, Darcula said:

the band should consider coming up with a song about tourism and the conservation of Thai culture

555 but don't mention safety issues in tourism or any weird aspects of Thai culture if you are looking for a TAT sponsorship.

25 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

If you want a song like that then you should write it. And sing and dance to it.

I would pay money to see you do it, Chakthip..., 5 baht.

I get you started:

 

My country's got tourism

they are all Chinese

and they wiped out our shrimp

now I can't find Tom Yam Gung anymore!

 

My country's got culture

this culture corrupts you

the moment you're born

 

My country's got face

only to lose it again

right after they find it

 

My country's got image

to be tarnished

by anyone who wants

 

My country's got outrage

but only for silly things

 

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

This rap number, for instance, was released online using blockchain technology, which makes it impossible for the government to delete the file or block access.

Government wants Thailand 4.0 and it got it!

1 hour ago, MARK74 said:

And the 22,000 down votes are possibly from rap music video critics in the US who thought the video needed more girls twerking and some low riders but had nothing to do with the rap which they conceded was very good ????

Or sent in from military barracks.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

that relevant authorities should examine the video to see if it reflects violence in society or if it intends to stir violence. 

The "relevant authorities" and their current "masters" should examine their own behavior first.

23 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Or sent in from military barracks.

I should imagine that, outside of the officers mess, the bored, half trained and unwilling conscripts who make up the bulk of the military probably are rather keen on it.