Thai Army still doesn't understand that the people are boss: Editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Army still doesn't understand that the people are boss
The Nation

In threatening to prosecute the producer of a satirical video, the military proves that old habits die hard

BANGKOK: -- For people who have spent their entire professional careers dealing with sensitive and sometimes contentious matters, Thailand's top security policy-makers certainly have thin skins. The Army is threatening to take legal action against the producer of a spoof music video featuring Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The video portrays the two as lovebirds.

The Army says the song in the video, "Song Rao" ("The Two of Us"), is disrespectful because it depicts the two leading figures in a sarcastic way. "This action does not honour either of these people. The Army demands that those responsible for the video take it down or face legal action," a spokesman said.

Does this mean that only "honourable", favourable presentations of prominent public figures included is permissible?

Is this video libellous? Are we taken to be so gullible that we would believe the two characters are actually in love? Surely the Army can't be that naive. Has modern Thai gutter-politics reduced us to this?

Even first-year students can tell us that the video mocks the suggestion that Prayuth had sold out to the yellow shirts - who supported the 2006 coup that ousted Yingluck's brother, Thaksin, from power. Everyone knows Prayuth and Thaksin have since kissed and made up. Perhaps they should have thought about the consequences before they involved themselves in politics.

Sad to say, the Army has yet to come to terms with the notion of democracy and of the fact that it is a servant of the country and the people. It is civilians, not soldiers, who govern. But this is not to say that our elected leaders are mature and sincere. The quality of our public figures and parliamentarians has not improved over the years, and the casualty of all this gutter politicking is, of course, the public interest.

It's really its own problem if the military brass doesn't like the underlying message of the video.

Not everyone will like this particular spoof. But what we need to embrace is the fact that we live in a country where each and every one of us can make that decision for ourselves.

We must respect the fact that we can watch this video or delete it from our screen if we don't want it occupying our hard drive. If critics want to go as far as boycotting the product or the producer, that is their prerogative.

Public figures are routinely satirised - this has long been an important part of our society. Still, some people in this country seem willing to lose face while trying to save face. If the Army can sue simply because it is annoyed by a video that causes its chief some personal distress, even though there was no libel involved, then so can any other public figure who comes in for public criticism, regardless of the political leaning of the producer. And that just leads to more litigation.

It's useless to argue about one's emotional distress in a court of law. It's debatable whether that comes under any legal standard anyway.

If the Army follows through on its threat of legal action, all it does is encourage people to punish unpopular speech.

Free speech is vital in all societies. Thailand is a free country. We say that often, but do we really understand what it means?

-- The Nation 2013-07-19

[Robby nz]

Could it be that the army isn't the only ones that don't understand that the people are boss?

It would seem that those who infest inhabit parliament building don't understand either.

[Soutpeel]

The Army is threatening to take legal action against the producer of a spoof music video featuring Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The video portrays the two as lovebirds.

Does the video actually name/indentify the two "persons" concerned ? or does it only "infer" who they are..?...would make a big difference in terms of a liable claim, if it doesnt name or indentify them, who is to say its the dear Yingluck and the esteemed general concerned..could be any two "lovebirds"

Edited July 19, 2013 by Soutpeel

[PatOngo]

Army still doesn't understand that the people are boss???..........Seems there's a bit the Nation does'nt understand as well

[NongKhaiKid]

More threats of legal action and it seems that's all anyone is interested in theses days. It would be nice if those in authority actually did their jobs instead of all the time spent worrying about losing face and overreacting.

[arthurboy]

Next on you tube: A spoof vid. alluding to the military's connection to corruption and organized crime.

Now, that would be interesting...

[Songhua]

'... each and every one of us can make that decision for ourselves.'

No, as saddening as it is to say, you're still being told you can't.

[Thai at Heart]

What do they mean "still"?

[mca]

It's not a case of " don't understand" but more one of "don't give a f*** "

[whybother]

What has the threat of legal action got to do with "democracy"? The threat is about "face" and the ridiculous defamation laws in Thailand.

The army doesn't understand freedom of speech. They sit along side a lot of politicians who also do not understand freedom of speech.

[Roadman]

What has the threat of legal action got to do with "democracy"? The threat is about "face" and the ridiculous defamation laws in Thailand.

The army doesn't understand freedom of speech. They sit along side a lot of politicians who also do not understand freedom of speech.

Correct. And as stated above even the Nation writers cannot figure that out. Stupid Editorial to say the least.

[Tatsujin]

They'd have had a hissy fit if "Spitting Image" was produced here . . .

[OzMick]

In oz, if you can't laugh at yourself, somebody will do it for you. Here those with over-inflated egos really don't appreciate it, but that it is not true for most Thais. Most that I socialise with are quite happy to share a joke at their expense.

[Thai at Heart]

Who really of anyone in power in Thailand thinks the people are boss?

[bigbamboo]

Mummy's poor little soldier!

[lee b]

Song Rao was from Will Smith was it not 55555

[greg71]

This coming from a newspaper that apoligized for printing a picture of the ice cream gang.Talk bout freedoms ,nation paper should join forces with nothenation

[caykay]

Probably because the army isn't beholden to the people. Or anyone else for that matter. Weak editorial.

[Zolt]

And the people don't understand that the army is the guys with all the guns.

[drdoom6996]

The Army has the power, (given by the people). And the weapons, (given by the people). People speak nothing happens. Taksin speaks, His sisters government does. And she is both Prime and Defense Minister. Who do you think is the boss?

[whybother]

This coming from a newspaper that apoligized for printing a picture of the ice cream gang.Talk bout freedoms ,nation paper should join forces with nothenation

Did the newspaper apologise for the photo or did the person who set the photo up (Suranand) apologise? I think it was the latter.

[tingtongteesood]

Why should we 'honour' people that are not art all honourable ? The government should 'honour' their kingdom by serving with honesty and integrity rather than serving themselves and their big brother...just saying.

[navara]

I quote: " Free speech is vital in all societies. Thailand is a free country. We say that often, but do we really understand what it means? " Who knows? Does the people knows? I do not think so.

[navara]

I quote: " Free speech is vital in all societies. Thailand is a free country. We say that often, but do we really understand what it means? " Who knows? Does the people knows? I do not think so.

[Halion]

What is all this crap about honour and respect. The Thai military could not fight it's way out of a wet paper bag. In these revered ranks are senior officers who can not tell the difference betwee a mine detector and a gold ball retriever. Their performance at the Silom riots leaves much to be respected or desired and their performance in the restive south is ludicrous at best. Dysfunctional bunch of strutting roosters.

Any developed country outside communism which has a military active in politics is doome for failure.

They are no doubt further up the food chain than the RTP but they have a long long wayt o go befor they can justifiably claim honour and request respect. Both these qualities can not be taken, they have to be gained.

[RogueLeader]

Free speech is vital in all societies. Thailand is a free country. We say that often, but do we really understand what it means?

It means "Thailand is not a free country and does not have free speech".

Hope that helps.

[Ned]

The Royal Thai army is a constant threat or saviour depending on where you stand. Nothing in Thailand is untouched by it in some way. Think Burma.

[Bof]

It is true that the Thai people have never been the boss of the Royal Thai Army .

[GentlemanJim]

Well to me, whoever is holding the biggest gun is ALWAYS the boss!

[Puschl]

Does the video actually name/indentify the two "persons" concerned ? or does it only "infer" who they are..?

The video uses stock photos of Yingluck and Prayuth slowly zooming in / out / floating by, with roses and hearts edited in and the love song "song rao" playing in the background, complete with karaoke subtitles of the lyrics. There are a few motion sequences, probably taken from news clippings. After the music stops, there is an audio record of a conversation between 'Oua' and 'Lue' about finishing work in 2014 and possible future in politics - at least that's what I understand from the karaoke subs. It could be that latter part which really caused the outcry.

Search for 'song rao' (in Thai script) on youtube if you want to see a good amateurish (or lousy professional?) music video.