Junta wants universities 'to refrain from political satire' at big event
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE JUNTA yesterday asked students of Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities to refrain from political satire during a parade today ahead of their famous annual inter-university soccer match at Suphachalasai Stadium, a source from the Thammasat University Student Union (TUSU) said.

However, a spokesman for the military's ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) said it had no intention of banning satire at the event, but only wanted the participants to be aware that politics was a "sensitive topic" right now.

A TUSU source who asked not to be named said the union had not been contacted directly by the NCPO or the military, but had been informed by professors and university officials of the request.

"I first saw the matter in the media, and then we were informed by professors and university officials that there was a request to refrain from making political satire in the parade."

But the student source said those preparing political satire for today's event would not be deterred.

"Our political-satire team has been working for almost a month, since January 12, for the parade, and everyone has worked very hard for this. The team agreed among themselves that they will go ahead with their parade," said the source.

Another source from Chulalongkorn University said that institution had decided not to hold a parade this year mocking politics.

Isra News Agency website reported yesterday that for this 70th annual traditional soccer match between the two universities, the NCPO had asked the organisers to refrain from political satire for fear of reviving political conflict.

NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari insisted, however, that the NCPO had not ordered a ban on political satire.

"The junta officials did not ban the parade, but concluded that political satire would be sensitive in the current situation, after which the organisers understood and [said] they would be cautious in the matter," he said.

"The content of the satire should be in the area of sports entertainment. Moreover, [the military] and officials of the two universities agreed that there was a high chance that this activity could be capitalised on to cause further political disputes," the NCPO spokesman said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Junta-wants-universities-to-refrain-from-political-30253586.html

-- The Nation 2015-02-07

What, laughter is now banned? I thought satire was meant to put a smile on people's faces and encourages happiness. Is the happiness meter over heating and about to explode that they feel the need to cut back?

Refrain from political satire. Translation - don't dare say ANYTHING we don't like..

Is a fleet of vehicles ready to cart off all offenders for a dose of AA ?

It's not becoming a farce, it's already one with the all embracing message just do as you are told and you WILL be happy, that's official.

I'm sure the Unis will refrain from satire once the director general stops providing them with the material to use!

Junta is getting worse by the day

They are learning quickly from their new Chinese Allies

I'm sure the Unis will refrain from satire once the director general stops providing them with the material to use!

I do agree with you but also would hate to see the loss of a great stand up !

This is what they do best.

They must feel that they are in such a tenuous position that they cannot allow themselves to be mocked by what are not much more than children

What, laughter is now banned? I thought satire was meant to put a smile on people's faces and encourages happiness. Is the happiness meter over heating and about to explode that they feel the need to cut back?

humor is the worst enemy of extremists.

What, laughter is now banned? I thought satire was meant to put a smile on people's faces and encourages happiness. Is the happiness meter over heating and about to explode that they feel the need to cut back?

... encourages happiness? Hardly.

Satire is a genre of literature, and sometimes graphic and performing arts, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule

They must feel that they are in such a tenuous position that they cannot allow themselves to be mocked by what are not much more than children

The more they start to feel threatened the more oppressive they will become.

Students at universities have always rallied, complained and expressed their views across all countries. it is what they do. They not always taken seriously but remember one day these will be the people making suggestions and plans for the better of Thailand.

they should be tolerated whether agreed upon or not. Taking away their liberties will not help and certainly won't make them go away. Just look at the political history in Thailand. One word Thammasat.

"A man is angry at a libel because it is false, but at a satire because it is true."

G.K. Chesterton

They have been in power 9 months already!!, and still feel the need to issue such statements. Pathetic

"However, a spokesman for the military's ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) said it had no intention of banning satire at the event, but only wanted the participants to be aware that politics was a "sensitive topic" right now."

In any free society, politics is always a sensitive topic. It only ceases to become so when discussion of it is oppressed.

Edited February 7, 201511 yr by trd

Military government acting as a military government. They will end up shooting unarmed protestors. They always do. Undeniable track record in this in this country.

"A man is angry at a libel because it is false, but at a satire because it is true."

G.K. Chesterton

Great Quote. Oh so accurate and oh so current.

They must feel that they are in such a tenuous position that they cannot allow themselves to be mocked by what are not much more than children

The more they start to feel threatened the more oppressive they will become.

Then the guns will come out again, in 1976 the Army slaughtered over 100 students at Tamarsart Uni, some of the bodies were mutilated and some had the eyes taken out, no laughing matter in the land of smiles. They had a junta then as well! The pretext was LM, now considered a complete lie by the authorities.

Edited February 7, 201511 yr by dragonfly94

But what if "politics" became satire already?

where are you Smedley?

Mike Mac?

Where are you Costas?

Come on justify this?

Aren't we about due for the results of another Dusit poll?

This time we expect the happiness meter to be almost at peak level.

I didn't think Thais were into satire,they don't understand sarcasm.

The latest crackdown is on jokes?

A government that demands immunity from satire seems not to be a government of the people.

Yeah, very smart to patronize students.......

Where are you Costas?

Come on justify this?

Simple to justify. The leader of this country has absolute power and will not allow himself or his unelected partners to be ridiculed.

At least not in public, I guess the social media will have fun with this.

Someone once (jokingly) asserted that if the German people in the 1930s had gone to the Nuremberg rallies and p*ssed themselves laughing when Adolf delivered his mad speeches (see John Cleese in Monty Python for brilliant imitation), then the whole Nazi movement would have collapsed very quickly.

I mean, how can you counter laughter?

Where are you Costas?

Come on justify this?

Simple to justify. The leader of this country has absolute power and will not allow himself or his unelected partners to be ridiculed.

At least not in public, I guess the social media will have fun with this.

Maybe he has his headphones on and is listening to The Who We won't get fooled again. It is not like we have not been here before - no wait this time is different I am sure of that.