Thai editorial: Raining on the parade

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Raining on the parade
The Nation

The students who marched on Saturday were helping to encourage healthy and peaceful debate in an otherwise dangerously polarised society

BANGKOK: -- The political satire that features in the parade ahead of the annual football match between the country's oldest universities usually merits nothing more than passing mention. But Saturday's 70th edition has been met with widespread and heated debate.

A main source of controversy over this year's parade ahead of the match between Chulalongkorn and Thammasat students was the heavy-handed approach taken by the authorities. The day before the event, it was reported that authorities had banned all references to politics from the parade.

On the day itself, police and military personnel manned the gates of the venue, Supachalasai National Stadium, in order to vet the banners to be displayed during the parade. Messages considered offensive were halted at the stadium entrance. The heavy presence of police and military security at the gates was in stark contrast to the scene in previous years.

Despite the tight security, students managed to smuggle in banners and papier-mache figures that poked fun at powerful figures, including the prime minister. The parade was dotted with political messages, the content of which was widely reported. The parade has inspired endless debate on television and in the social media and newspaper columns.

It remains unclear whether the police and military security who cracked down at the stadium were acting on direct orders from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), or whether their supervisors acted independently in a bid to please their bosses. Whatever the reason, it is the NCPO and the government of Prayut Chan-o-cha that have born the brunt of criticism over the incident.

The messages paraded on Saturday mainly displayed the students' hopes and wishes for a better society. They called for the return of democracy and voiced their opposition to dictatorship. Some of the floats in the parade targeted government policies with mocking satire.

Observers have noted that the parades were far more critical during the 1970s, when the country was under the dictatorial rule of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachornalthough.

What we witnessed at Supachalasai Stadium on Saturday was an over-reaction by the authorities.

Going after the student activists and censoring campus activities will only compound that error of judgement and risk further eroding public support that the government and the NCPO has enjoyed since the coup.

The authorities should instead focus their attention on political groups and potential troublemakers who are genuinely capable of inciting violence and obstructing efforts towards national reconciliation and reform. University students who criticise the government in light-hearted traditions and campus activities are no threat to national security.

In fact, in voicing their dissatisfaction via creative and non-violent means, they deserve support both from the authorities and the rest of society. Their activities are helping to encourage healthy and peaceful debate in an otherwise dangerously polarised society.

Thailand needs more of their like - citizens who are brave enough to stand up and express their views in a peaceful manner on the direction our nation should take. Independent thought is in short supply right now, with many of us still under the sway of political rhetoric aimed at benefiting certain groups.

In contrast, the spirit we witnessed at Saturday's parade is what will help this country achieve real reform and sustainable democracy.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Raining-on-the-parade-30253912.html

-- The Nation 2015-02-12

[noitom]

Thai authorities should bear down on them. Water hoses, tear gas, whatever it takes. No free speech should be permitted, no political opposition allowed. Zero tolerance. We can't have a happy society in Thailand if these pesky students and intellectuals are permitted to speak out and protest. The Thai government should stick to its mission to bring order to Thailand and suppress these demonstrations. The world will understand that Thailand is merely doing what is right for the country and preventing civil disorder.

[yellowboat]

"Independent thought is in short supply right now, with many of us still under the sway of political rhetoric aimed at benefiting certain groups."

Sadly true. Believe more are afraid and swayed.

[MaxLee]

The Attitute Adjustment Center should be in full gears on days like this....

[Ricardo]

Thai authorities should bear down on them. Water hoses, tear gas, whatever it takes. No free speech should be permitted, no political opposition allowed. Zero tolerance. We can't have a happy society in Thailand if these pesky students and intellectuals are permitted to speak out and protest. The Thai government should stick to its mission to bring order to Thailand and suppress these demonstrations. The world will understand that Thailand is merely doing what is right for the country and preventing civil disorder.

Is that a quote from former-DPM Chalerm, or direct from his Master's Voice, might one ask ?

After all, 'Democracy is a useful tool, but not Our aim', as the Great Thinker once said.

[yellowboat]

The Attitute Adjustment Center should be in full gears on days like this....

With conference rooms in short supply, there is probably a long wait.

[EnzoRippo]

These journos discuss as if there was a discussion opportunity.

Thailand is ruled by a military junta. This is a dictatorship. This is not a value judgement, this is an objective fact.

Period.

[Lupatria]

The censorship is the younger of two vicious sisters, the older one's name is Inquisition. (Nestroy)

[rickirs]

A rather naive article.

The Junta considers any perceived or potential criticisms as obstructing NCPO's efforts towards national reconciliation and reform. it's not a matter of how a message is conveyed or the content of the message. The Junta has become paranoid towards ANY form of critical expression and it will vigorously defend against ANY opposition to its rule, especially for those (like students0 who have no economic leverage against the Junta.