Thai Stars Are Giving Us An Object Lesson In Social Media's Downside: Opinion

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

With Facebook comes great responsibility

The Nation

Thai stars are giving the rest of us an object lesson in social media's downside

First it was Sek Loso's ex-wife. Then it was the star singer himself, who was forced to respond to her charges of drug abuse, child abandonment and physical assault. After that it was former actress Saitarn Niyomkarn, followed by her boyfriend, accusing each other of physical attacks. In just one week, Facebook showcased back-to-back love-turning-sour stories of Thai celebrities.

By all indications, the phenomenon promises to intensify and become a long-lasting trend.

The use of social media for "domestic" purposes is not new, of course. Several months ago, an audio clip was spread to highlight a tug of war over a child belonging to an actress and her estranged husband. More recently, another popular star and singer became a victim of malicious video clips despite her apparent attempt to seek a truce with a foreign man with whom she was thought to have had a brief romantic relationship.

All the aforementioned cases spread like wildfire through the social media. That was certainly the intent of those involved. In today's world, a Facebook posting can reach thousands or even millions in 24 hours. In some cases, it's better than hiring a lawyer in order to hit back at someone. In other cases, total destruction is intended and lawyers are never an option.

Society is changing drastically. Facebook is known to have caused countless break-ups in Thailand, after that trend wrecked families in the West. As they say, being a Facebook generation comes with great responsibilities. The responsibilities include trying your best to make your break-up as decent as you can. As things stand now, that is a big ask.

The Facebook risk is obvious. To be exact, taking any social media route when the romance turns sour carries the very same risk. Once it is out there, you can't take it back. And nobody can help you take it back. Reunion is not impossible even if you lash out at your "ex" through the social media, but the "scar" could be bigger.

And it doesn't involve only the couple in question. We all find it difficult or awkward to deal with a sudden, drastic change in a person's "status". Sometimes it feeds human curiosity when a friend suddenly keeps posting songs about broken hearts, but when it goes far beyond that, it can be depressing. This is not to mention the fact that a heart-broken teenager's seemingly suicidal message on his or her wall can reach the parents in a matter of minutes.

Political use of social media has been rampant in ideologically divided Thailand. It's largely destructive, but it's understandable. When ordinary lovers square off through Facebook, the pain can run deep. That's something the "Facebook generation" will have to cope with. It is not that hard to mend the fences with a girl who accuses you of beating her up. It may be something else if that girl broadcasts her accusations to a million people in just one day.

Facebook at least serves the human need for support when a person is at a low point. It can make one feel considerably better when sympathy pours in even when he or she is all alone in a dimmed room. Facebook allows a friend on the other side of the world to console another friend who has just been separated from his or her spouse. This is a real plus side.

The catch is, it isn't just the concerned friend. He or she may see the broken pieces of your life with sympathetic eyes but there are others, too, who may consume the news with far less understanding.

It may feel good when the feeling toward the one at the wrong end of your status update is still soured. But all feelings can change and even the bitterest of bitterness can disappear. If that happens, it can be too late already.

-- The Nation 2011-12-12

[rkidlad]

The Thai celebrity. They're equally as degenerate and classless as the Thai elite.

[Jaivin2011]

Agree with the previous poster'scommenst that Thai Hiso/Elites and also Thai Celebrities are totally trash and classless. Having been in the local PR business its a joke that so call Thai Hisos expect to be paid just to attend events when they are suppose to be so rich and the amts that they ask fir is even pathetic ie bt 3k to 5k etc.

The Thai celebs are really garbage but unofrtunately the lower life forms who have no lives still adores and loves them and are interested in their lives and news. Most of these viewers are generally underachievers and trash themselves. So its a vicious cycle.

[ratcatcher]

The Thai celebrity. They're equally as degenerate and classless as the Thai elite.

Never a truer word................... etc etc.

[ludditeman]

This story is pointless without links!

[sparebox2]

Because what you click LIKE in Thailand.

The Thai government has already warn you of the potential jail term under LM law.

[glenfaux]

Facebook is more anti social networking than social.

i don't use it because of privacy concerns.

My friend refer it as stalkbook

[ParadiseLost]

It is not that hard to mend the fences with a girl who accuses you of beating her up. It may be something else if that girl broadcasts her accusations to a million people in just one day.

I find this a little disturbing - if a girl accuses you of 'beating her up' then generally one could assume there has been physical violence of some sort; the author seems to be saying that if nobody else knows it is no big deal really...

Typical male chauvinist pig.

[TAWP]

The Thai celebrity. They're equally as degenerate and classless as the Thai elite.

Or as upper-class kids in most western countries...

[Chang_paarp]

It is not that hard to mend the fences with a girl who accuses you of beating her up. It may be something else if that girl broadcasts her accusations to a million people in just one day.

I find this a little disturbing - if a girl accuses you of 'beating her up' then generally one could assume there has been physical violence of some sort; the author seems to be saying that if nobody else knows it is no big deal really...

Typical male chauvinist pig.

There is a chance it is a fabrication designed to get attention. If you find this fanciful you are yet to enjoy the pleasures of an acrimonious divorce.

[bkkjames]

Can we open a topic called thailand opinions? I searched for anything resembling news in this story (and most editorials from the nation) and found none.

[Hyponeros]

Is that the first of several articles about facebook that will lead to ban it from Thailand?

What's next? In books people write immoral stuff therefore books should be forbidden!

[gamini]

The Thai celebrity. They're equally as degenerate and classless as the Thai elite.

Or as upper-class kids in most western countries...

I thought this forum is for all expats from different backgrounds

Not one for airing your offensive class preduces

[tailspin]

these thai stars aren't any worse than the western ones....is anything more nauseating than the kardashians

[Beetlejuice]

The Thai celebrity. They're equally as degenerate and classless as the Thai elite.

No, this just proves that these so called celebs have the same weaknesses and vulnerabilities as the rest of us peasants. Maybe it`s because I’m getting old, but I fail to understand why so many people socially depend on social networking sites to interact and communicate with other people.

Is it because they are lacking character, confidence and can’t directly tackle their own relationships in the real world?

One of my relatives separated from his wife last year and was actually having domestic arguments on facebook for the whole world to see. It could have been funny if not so pathetic.

In my opinion these people that make online social networking as a main stream of their daily events are lacking in social skills and unable to tackle problems head on.

[gamini]

The Thai celebrity. They're equally as degenerate and classless as the Thai elite.

No, this just proves that these so called celebs have the same weaknesses and vulnerabilities as the rest of us peasants. Maybe it`s because I'm getting old, but I fail to understand why so many people socially depend on social networking sites to interact and communicate with other people.

Is it because they are lacking character, confidence and can't directly tackle their own relationships in the real world?

One of my relatives separated from his wife last year and was actually having domestic arguments on facebook for the whole world to see. It could have been funny if not so pathetic.

In my opinion these people that make online social networking as a main stream of their daily events are lacking in social skills and unable to tackle problems head on.

You are so right. Facebook is also a place where children love to make stupid remaks and show off. I never use it and, it causes more good than harm

Edited December 13, 2011 by metisdead
When replying to a quoted post, make your reply outside the [quote] tags.

[Roj]

Celebrities. The `royalty` of the working classes throughout the world and what they aspire to.

[uxno]

The Thai celebrity. They're equally as degenerate and classless as the Thai elite.

POLITELY UNDERSTATED

[KKvampire]

The Thai celebrity. They're equally as degenerate and classless as the Thai elite.

Really , only the "Thai Elite"? You need to get out more, all classes that have access to the internet and a phone with messenger are constantly updating their personal lives for all and sundry , from the village to the city , Its widespread

Gamini"I thought this forum is for all expats from different backgroundsNot one for airing your offensive class preduces "

The worst expats are the ones out of Bangkok who think the city is just made up of wealthy upper class elite.

Edited December 13, 2011 by KKvampire

[HardenedSoul]

It is not that hard to mend the fences with a girl who accuses you of beating her up. It may be something else if that girl broadcasts her accusations to a million people in just one day.

I find this a little disturbing - if a girl accuses you of 'beating her up' then generally one could assume there has been physical violence of some sort; the author seems to be saying that if nobody else knows it is no big deal really...

Typical male chauvinist pig.

Slow down there, Quick Draw McGraw. Just because a woman makes an accusation of physical abuse on a forum like Facebook - especially in this country - it doesn't mean it actually happened.

[bigbamboo]

The Thai celebrity. They're equally as degenerate and classless as the Thai elite.

Or as upper-class kids in most western countries...

If only Thai high society was as classy as America's. Like Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan.....!

Edited December 13, 2011 by bigbamboo

[johna]

You guys ever heard of that great journalistic tradition "puff piece"