Thai Crisis: Media And Shakespearean Tragedy At Play

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OPINION

REGIONAL PESPECTIVE

THAI CRISIS: Media and Shakespearean tragedy at play

By Kavi Chongkittavorn

The Nation

FOR THE PAST SEVEN WEEKS, Thailand's politics is looking more and more like a Shakespearan tragedy being played out on the streets of Bangkok. Local and foreign media have been mesmerised by the danger of our tug of wars, cancerous political symptoms and the deep divisions in Thai society that used to be known as the poster child of democracy. Several well-known international peace mediators are competing fiercely to come in, thinking their expertise can end the current impasse.

Of late, the global community, including the United Nations, has been worried about the repeated calls to arms by all the protagonists. Like the characters in a Shakespearean tragedy, they are capable of doing good and bad at the same time. The personalities cited by the protesters are intrinsically of a mixed nature. But every minute is a matter of life and death, especially following the emergence of an unknown military group during the April 10 clashes.

CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE

Apart from the reporters caught in the crossfire, unfortunate passers-by, including foreigners, were also injured or killed. Committed and veteran protesters of all stripes know the dangers of open spaces with high-rise buildings, and know their way around. A series of grenade attacks a few days ago at Sala Daeng was also symbolic - the rural and new urban poor at the gate of the business district.

As far as the Thai media is concerned, they have yet to ask these questions: What has caused these tragedies and how could they be prevented?

It is not wrong to say that the current political crisis has long been the work of continued incitement by political leaders and media reports. For the past decade, intensely since 2006, campaigns to incite groups with colour identification was the norm. Small doses of propaganda and misinformation every day and continuously have led to the long-term impacts we are witnessing today.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's biggest blunder was media censorship at this crucial juncture as it did not help. His absolute non-use of forces, except in self-defence, and no targeted killings (jab tai) should have been give more credit even though they were perceived as weakness by the public and urban dwellers. These two measures have reduced the casualties which could have been higher. Indeed, they are not familiar with the strategy of not using force, which is the hallmark of this administration.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnontaey are clueless about the Thai media dynamic. Obviously Abhisit's strong commitment to a free press was ignored. Every time both personalities appeared on TV, more damage was done to the government. One-sided government information flow, they presumed, would increase the public understanding. In the present situation, nobody has a monopoly over truth. Each coloured group has its own media networks to propagate key messages. Access to information for all sides is indispensable; after all, Thailand was the first Asean country to guarantee freedom of information in 1997.

The shutdown of more than 10 satellite, cable television and radio stations and 36 websites were ill-advised as it duplicated similar mistakes previous governments had made. Knee-jerk reactions on the part of the government, as it turned out, backfired badly. The Thai officials have never learned from past mistakes that media censorship would not work in the age of globalisation and a digitally-connected world.

What the government should have done immediately was to quickly charge those media outlets, editors or hosts with incitement under the criminal code. Their TV and radio remarks have called for war against other people rather than their own - classic hate speech.

Story continues: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...a-30127927.html

-- The Nation 2010-04-26

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Redsunset]

Very true. Abhisit's strength is his ability to communicate and instill confidence, especially when others communicate so poorly. During the heights of the crisis, we needed to hear more, not less. Not hearing enough spun rumors out of control.

Yes, Abhisit's administration favors non-violence and diplomacy over force. Yet when the situation dictates, one must use force and use it decisively. Trying to use diplomacy with a wild and savage opponent - the red shirt leaders, is futile and leads to - at best - stalemates.

This is where we are today. Abhisit still has the opportunity to get us out of this untenable situation, but he needs to execute and disperse the protesters now. More wishful thinking just will not do.

[givenall]

It is admirable that he wants a peaceful end to this. But the RED are getting more and bolder with their action. Small numbers continue to make life miserable for the rest population and they continually break the law.

If not for the government who can enforce the law, I am sure if he does not do something soon, you can see many isolated violent against RED all over Bangkok. The local are frustrated ad whenever they have opportunity they will act on their own causing harm to RED

[ozzieman05]

It seems there has been a few of us on TV that have said a soft handed approach can be both good and bad

In the beginning a quick kick up the bum would had shown the red shirts that the law will not allow this, those that will follow will have a fact in history that shows this will not be allowed under the law

Now lets look at what history shows

Mob rule in the streets is allowed

the army and police are afraid to act

Any leader can do and say what ever he wants as long as mob rule is in control

Women and children can be used by cowards to scare authorities

Now it is to late

Solve the red shirt problem tomorrow but the rules have been set

The above is allowed and to deny the next mob the same will only create DOUBLE STANDARDS

The reds where allowed to do it

Win or loose the PM has created a country that will live in terror and chaos for the next decade

We have already lost low and order in Thailand

Slightly off topic

This morning while talking to the wife

How can any Thai put their children in danger by having them in the fireing line

How answer (Here is Thai face for you)

They can not be Thai children, they are from Cambodia, so Thai not worry

[animatic]

Very true. Abhisit's strength is his ability to communicate and instill confidence, especially when others communicate so poorly. During the heights of the crisis, we needed to hear more, not less. Not hearing enough spun rumors out of control.

Yes, Abhisit's administration favors non-violence and diplomacy over force. Yet when the situation dictates, one must use force and use it decisively. Trying to use diplomacy with a wild and savage opponent - the red shirt leaders, is futile and leads to - at best - stalemates.

This is where we are today. Abhisit still has the opportunity to get us out of this untenable situation, but he needs to execute and disperse the protesters now. More wishful thinking just will not do.

Sad but true. When faced with an opponent that doesn't listen

and doesn't see anything but a total win for themselves as a compromise,

it is hard to imagine talk will do much. So to see Abhisit continually try

for dialog is heartening, but heartening at best. If the reds want to talk let them do it,

in a fair open forum for ALL parties and drop the hyperbole, and revolutionary war like actions.

The time is well and truly passed for this street action to achieve it's alleged goals.

If these are the actual goals, they are better achieved by real negotiations.

If the unstated/or subterfuge goal of 'getting Thaksin the paymaster what he wants',

is the REAL goal, then there is nothing the government can do, but clear them out,

because they must be there solely to cause enough chaos and destruction to bring down the government.

It is up to the Reds to decide which are their REAL goals. But it's up to the government to

end this stalemate that so harms the WHOLE country daily and for years to come.

If a forceful eviction is the only way, because the zealotry has gone beyond control,

then there seems no other choice.

Letting a minority mob dictate the governments actions,

is in no way or any sense representative democracy in action.

This is not protest anymore but pressure via implied terror on the whole nation.

[Chonburiram]

Comparing a troop of strolling players with a Shakespearean tragedy is a little farfetched

[LumpsInMyOatmeal]

Comparing a troop of strolling players with a Shakespearean tragedy is a little farfetched

Not to mention stating that Thai society was once a poster child of democracy.

Wouldn't the exact opposite be much closer to the truth?

[robsamui]

Well - it was written by a Thai and that's evidently what he believes!

It is the best country in the world, after all.

r

Comparing a troop of strolling players with a Shakespearean tragedy is a little farfetched

Not to mention stating that Thai society was once a poster child of democracy.

Wouldn't the exact opposite be much closer to the truth?

[robsamui]

(what's a "poster child" anyway??)

Well - it was written by a Thai and that's evidently what he believes!

It is the best country in the world, after all.

r

Comparing a troop of strolling players with a Shakespearean tragedy is a little farfetched

Not to mention stating that Thai society was once a poster child of democracy.

Wouldn't the exact opposite be much closer to the truth?

[davejonesbkk]

shakespearean tragedy LOL, more like a comedy

[AGareth2]

Some similarities to the fall of The Roman Republic

[chantorn]

Very true. Abhisit's strength is his ability to communicate and instill confidence, especially when others communicate so poorly. During the heights of the crisis, we needed to hear more, not less. Not hearing enough spun rumors out of control.

Yes, Abhisit's administration favors non-violence and diplomacy over force. Yet when the situation dictates, one must use force and use it decisively. Trying to use diplomacy with a wild and savage opponent - the red shirt leaders, is futile and leads to - at best - stalemates.

This is where we are today. Abhisit still has the opportunity to get us out of this untenable situation, but he needs to execute and disperse the protesters now. More wishful thinking just will not do.

Another real strength is that he is so handsome.

May girls & gays love him just for that & that alone.

Edited April 26, 2010 by chantorn

[Jingthing]

shakespearean tragedy LOL, more like a comedy

No way. Comedies don't have so many dead and injured people ...

[321niti123]

which Shakespearean tragedy is the author talking about? I don't recall anything like this from Shakespeare (but then again- i hate english class). The only one i remember is capulet montague from R&J that could compare with the situation

[canuckamuck]

FOR THE PAST SEVEN WEEKS, Thailand's politics is looking more and more like a Shakespearan tragedy being played out on the streets of Bangkok. Local and foreign media have been mesmerised by the danger of our tug of wars, cancerous political symptoms and the deep divisions in Thai society that used to be known as the poster child of democracy.

:D :D Guess which country this writer got his education from - lol

[quiksilva]

I don't get the negativity here on TV. Despite minor flaws, the authors made important demands that had to be said.

Its critical that the media be responsible with their reporting and not add fuel to the flames.

The irony that this was written in the Nation however is not lost on me...

Edited April 26, 2010 by quiksilva

[lannarebirth]

FOR THE PAST SEVEN WEEKS, Thailand's politics is looking more and more like a Shakespearan tragedy being played out on the streets of Bangkok. Local and foreign media have been mesmerised by the danger of our tug of wars, cancerous political symptoms and the deep divisions in Thai society that used to be known as the poster child of democracy.

Guess which country this writer got his education from - lol

I am somewhat relieved to see that he spelt colored with a "u".

[SantiSuk]

First decent-ish piece of journalism I've seen on the conflict.

[Bagwan]

Midsummer's Nightmare? Much Ado about Nothing - if 73 billion can be called nothing.

[Bagwan]

Midsummer's Nightmare? Much Ado about Nothing - if 73 billion can be called nothing.

[Bagwan]

Midsummer's Nightmare? Much Ado about Nothing - if 73 billion can be called nothing.

[animatic]

THE NATION: Thaksin: "this is my country ... I am now Montenegrin."

Well looks like that Kuhn T. doesn't really care what he says

or if he stabs his country in the back, or right between the eyes.

[JohnLeech]

At least the author got one thing 100% right, even if not everyone here seems to agree:

"In the present situation, nobody has a monopoly over truth."

[erobando]

West Side Story. I think Shakespere rote that 1.

But we won't know if this is a comedy or tregedy until it ends.

[yoshiwara]

Very true. Abhisit's strength is his ability to communicate and instill confidence, especially when others communicate so poorly. During the heights of the crisis, we needed to hear more, not less. Not hearing enough spun rumors out of control.

Yes, Abhisit's administration favors non-violence and diplomacy over force. Yet when the situation dictates, one must use force and use it decisively. Trying to use diplomacy with a wild and savage opponent - the red shirt leaders, is futile and leads to - at best - stalemates.

This is where we are today. Abhisit still has the opportunity to get us out of this untenable situation, but he needs to execute and disperse the protesters now. More wishful thinking just will not do.

Another real strength is that he is so handsome.

May girls & gays love him just for that & that alone.

Maybe you are a Caliban clone.