Do you know any of the local candidates?
No, I don’t. I’m not really interested.
Who will you vote for in the election? Why?
Chuwit. He’s cool. I don’t know who to choose. None of the candidates are that good, so I might as well go for Chuwit.
Why aren’t you really interested in politics?
It’s full of lies and all about fooling people. No matter who you choose, they’re all bad.
Can anything change your mind about Chuwit?
If the Red Shirts burn down the city again, I might go for Abhisit.
What do you want the next government to do?
Solve the conflicts between the people in this country. And fix the transport links, like adding more routes to the BTS and MRT.
How do you feel about the upcoming election? I’m just like, we’re voting—again? I’m sick of this. Can we get this voting over with?
Do you think it matters who wins? Will it make a difference, will it change the country?
Well, as long as it’s not Pheu Thai.
Do you think your vote matters?
It’s one vote. It won’t make any difference.
Do you talk about politics at home or at your office?
Not really. The people around me aren’t really interested. Maybe they’re bored of it. Even my friends aren’t interested in politics.
Which is your favorite poster?
The one with Chuwit pointing in your face. It’s cool. And it’s not like your average election poster.
When you vote, do you consider the party or the platform?
The platform. Hopefully, candidates will include something about “no corruption.” Some stress healthcare, some say they want to improve taxes. But when it comes from the candidates, of course, it all sounds nice.
What has grabbed your attention so far?
I read about Pheu Thai Party’s credit cards for farmers policy in the newspaper. I don’t know if it’s going to work or not, but it’s a good policy and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.
What problem do you want the next government to solve?
Inflation. Everything is unreasonably expensive now. Food prices have almost doubled. The fruit from fruit stalls are usually B10 but now they’re B15. These are basic products. The lives of Bangkokians are getting harder and harder especially for people like me who pay taxes.
How do you feel about the upcoming election?
I feel good. This is how [democracy] works, not because a group protests and demands an election.
Do you think it’s important to Thailand who wins?
It is important. Everyone can be corrupt. They’re might be good and bad in the government, but the right leader can direct the country on the right path. If there is fraud, the leader can quickly fight back.
Do you think your vote makes a difference?
Yes. Every vote counts.
Do you talk politics at home?
No, because everyone thinks differently and we don’t have the same opinions. Politics and religion are not subjects to be discussed.
Do you think if Pheu Thai wins the election, the military will interfere?
I don’t think so. I think the military is rational. They only try to protect the citizens.
Any posters grab your attention?
Usually I hate posters; they distract me when I drive. Chuwit’s are a headache. I don’t like them at all. And the ones with the animals in suits are too aggressive. But if I had to pick one it’s the one with Khun Surachai on it saying “Love Peace.” It’s a new party.
Do you know any of the local candidates?
No. I haven’t looked into any of them yet.
What do you want the next government to do?
First of all, do something about inflation. Prices are too high and my income doesn’t balance out with my costs.
Do you vote in Bangkok?
No, I live in Samut Prakan and vote in Korat.
How do you feel about the upcoming election?
Mostly I just want to see some changes. Will things get better after the election? Now people can just hope.
Do you think your vote makes a difference?
Even if it’s one vote, it still matters. Sometimes one vote is what’s needed to win.
Do you talk about politics at home?
Not really. We just don’t have the time. We don’t really talk about this stuff.
Has something related to the campaign ever made you angry?
No. It’s their right to campaign and try to stand out so they can attract people. I have no reason to be angry. If they don’t campaign then how are we supposed to know about their policies?
Do you think candidates will keep their promises?
Not a hundred percent, no. But there must be some things they can do. I just don’t know, I guess. I don’t really follow news about politics. But you still have to go out and buy raw materials and stuff, and when there’s a new government, prices increase. Everything’s expensive. Since the start of the year, prices have increased.
Do you know any of the local candidates?
I vote in my home town, which is Petchaboon. The local Pheu Thai candidate there is Surasuk. It’s the party that I like the most. He always wins the election. I’m voting for him for sure. Nothing can change my mind. This party has never disappointed me. All the campaigns [Pheu Thai] launched are all clear and really happen. For example, the 30 baht health care program.
What are you looking for in a candidate?
I take a look at the campaign and what the candidate is promoting. Pheu Thai tells us straight up what they can really take action on. Other parties seem like they don’t really care if their promises come true or not. For example, there was a campaign where you could borrow money from the Government Savings Bank. I went there for many days and didn’t end up getting a loan. Now the government is dissolved and I still haven’t gotten money from the bank. But it was Thai Rak Thai that changed motorcycle taxis from normal white license plates to the yellow taxi license plate for us to be able to work as a legal taxi service.
What do you want the next government to do?
I just want the new government to do the things they promised when they were canvassing. The first thing I would like them to do is to stimulate the Thai economy. Back when Thaksin was in government, I had more customers than I do today.
How do you feel about the election?
I’m okay with it. Having a legal election is good enough for me. But actually, they should have dissolved the parliament a long time ago. Unless they rig the election, Pheu Thai will win.
Do you feel your vote matters?
Yes. I think that my vote is important because one vote does make a difference. And I’m the kind of person who cares and likes to know about politics.
Which is your favorite poster and why?
“Vote No.” I like the monkey and the banana. It’s hilarious. But of course I like Pheu Thai ones even better, particularly those with Yingluck Shinawatra. I’m thinking of taking 50-100 Pheu Thai posters back home after election day to rebuild the roof of my house.
Who is your favourite candidate right now?
If I have to choose, I’d choose Yingluck. When Thaksin was in power, the economy was starting to improve and when the economy improves, everything improves.
Is there anything that can change your mind?
No, I’ve already decided on Yingluck. The Democrat party, they’ve been in power for two years and nothing’s changed. I think it’s time to let different people have a try.
Which problems do you want them to address?
I want to see the economy turn around. And I want them to fix the traffic in Bangkok. It’s a huge problem. I want them to finish the MRT and BTS projects.
Do you talk about politics at home or at work?
Yeah, at home I talk about it with my family. My mom wants to vote Democrat, but I like the Red Shirts. But it’s not a problem. At school, we censor ourselves. We don’t want to disagree on too many things because then we’ll just argue.
Which posters do you like best?
Chuwit’s posters! They’re very provocative and in-your-face. They were the first ones I noticed. When you look at them, they hit you deeply.
Do you like your local candidates?
Nope. None of them so far. They’re boring. They’re the same old people. Like Chuwit—he’s gonna be there forever.
Are you going to go vote?
Yes, that’s for sure. But I don’t like any candidate in particular. I just like the parties. I’m going to vote by party.
Which party?
Democrats. I think that the new generation is more educated. They don’t stick to the same old narrative. Some of them have really proved that there are quality people. Like Minister of Finance Mr. Korn Chatikavanij. I think he has great ideas.
How about Pheu Thai?
I hate Thaksin. I hate Pheu Thai. I hate the Red Shirts. I hate anyone that uses violence.
Do you think the Democrats will intervene if Pheu Thai wins?
No they’re not going to. Their name is “Democrat.” It’s democracy, right?
Some people talk about how it’s been two years and nothing’s changed.
Well some things have changed. It just takes time to build up from ground zero. People just need to be more cooperative and more positive, not just keep complaining and thinking that other people are going to solve their problems for them. They have to do it themselves.
What’s your favorite poster?
Some of them are pretty stupid and I love it. Like the monkey with the banana. I think they’re tearing them down now, so that’s a shame. The idea is really stupid, but still, I love the monkey. It’s funny. It has bananas on it.
What do you think about Chuwit?
He’s just a joke. But, it’s good to have him. He’s so determined, and I love determined people, but what’s he going to do? He’s not clear about his goals.
He says he wants to stop corruption.
Every government has corruption! I mean, I care about corruption, but as long as they don’t do it so obviously that they have to investigate, I’m alright with it. Because even the Democrats, I love them, but I know that some of them are going to be corrupt. Not the government itself, but some people in the government.
What do you want most out of the new government?
I want honesty. I don’t care if it takes time. Seriously, they have to bring it to Thai people for real.
Have you decided how you’re voting yet?
Yes. I’m voting Democrat.
Can anything change your mind about your decision?
I’ll have to look at the campaign promises and see if they’re realistic. I look at both the campaign and the person. From what I’ve seen, the most realistic ones are from the Democrat party.
For example?
Like free education and stuff about water and electricity costs and gas prices. They don’t seem too hard to achieve. If they can do what they’ve promised in their campaign, it would be good. If not, then things they’re already working on can be improved.
How do you feel about the election?
I feel that Thailand is still backwards. Most people lack education and are narrow-minded. Truthfully, they should let the current government finish serving its four-year term.
Have you made up your mind for the upcoming election?
I’m voting Democrat and for Suchart Bandasak. I see his work and things have improved, like paving roads.
What could make you change you mind about choosing this person?
Nothing, because I haven’t seen the work of other candidates yet. But for this person, he’s been around for a long time. He’s been with many parties but currently he’s with the Democrat party.
When you choose a candidate, what do you look for?
Their work and their campaign promises, and the improvements made to the neighborhood I live in. I don’t look at the party, I look more at the candidate.
This Durakit Pundit University and the Nation Group poll predicts Puea Thai will snap up 19 constituencies, versus 5 for the Democrats. But accounting for margins of error, actual results could be very different.
• There are two lists, 375 single constituency seats and 125 party list seats.
• The constituency list is a winner-takes-all system. One victorious candidate will emerge in each one of the 375 single constituencies.
• The 125 party list seats, on the other hand, are divided according to the percentage of votes received by each party. For example, if a party got 20% of the party list votes, it gets 25 seats.
B100,000
Reward offered by police for catching professional hit men in a bid to increase security for candidates.
75
Number of hit men on the police’s list.
100,000
Police officers assigned to protect candidates
256
Candidates from Pheu Thai and Democrat parties who have sought protection during the campaigning season so far
90,000
Polling stations nationwide
B1.5 million
Campaign budget per MP
82
Percentage of people who intend to vote, according to DPU poll, surveying 6,000 people
70, 60, 85
Percentage of voter turnout in 2001, 2005, and 2007 respectively
53.5million
Number of ballots printed for the party-list vote.
47.3million
Eligible voters in Thailand
3.3million
Extra ballots allowed to be printed according to law
6.2million
Extra ballots being printed.
1,246
total number of damaged election signs.
720
total number that belong to the Democrats
A completely biaised roundup of those MP hopefuls with the most entertainment value
Chitpas Bhirombhakdi (Democrat Party MP, Constituency 5: Dusit, Ratchatewi)
Watch out Yingluck, this fresh face maintains that she wants to be Thailand’s first female PM. She’s the daughter of a renaissance man, Chuntinant, and a style guru, ML Piyapas. More importantly, Chitpas is the heiress of the Singha Corporation. This high-society debutante seems to have her path paved in gold—and maybe some leftover Leo Beer calendars showing chicks wearing only paint that she passed around to her friends in parliament last year. Will people just get over it already?
Yaowapa Boorapholchai (Chart Pattana Puea Pandit Party, Constituency 11)
She’s a Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party candidate that really kicks ass. She roundhoused her way into Thailand’s limelight, as she nabbed Bronze in Taekwando for Thailand in the 2004 Olympic games in Greece—the only medalled olympian coming out of Thailand that wasn’t a boxer or a weightlifter. She plans to use her champion status to help her party build sports complexes in every tambon across the country. She’s been the underdog and has beaten powerhouses before. Let’s see if she can do it again.
Sunisa Lertpakawat (PHeu Thai party MP, Constituency 30, Bang Kae)
In 2006, Lt. Sunisa Lertpakawat dropped B100,000 to travel to London and interview Thaksin Shinawatra, which subsequently turned into the book Thaksin, Where Are You. A reporter for the Thai Army’s Channel 5, she was sacked by the top brass. (They’re not huge fans of Thaksin.) As she has been handed a Pheu Thai dominated consistuency, it seems Loong Maew is finally paying her back for sticking her neck out.
Tankhun Jittit-sara (Democrat party MP, Constituency 12, Don Muang)
You might remember him by his model/actor handle, Ekachai Burinapanit, and in particular his role as Wit in Iron Ladies (2000), a based-on-a-true-story movie about a group of gay and transvestite volleyball players who became national champions in Thailand. He had to turn down the sequel to study for his masters, he said at the time. Or was he already considering a career in politics—a path not-so-compatible with transgender film franchises? He’s in a hardcore Puea Thai constituency and has complained about his posters getting vandalized but you gotta admire the determination.
Chuwit Kamolvisit (RAK PRATHET THAI)
Everybody’s favorite massage parlor millionaire turned politician is looking for a happy ending, because according to him, he’s running one last time and he’s not in politics to be the outsider looking in. His in-your-face campaign posters accurately reflect his personality: angry and unrestrained. His latest poster is in big bold English letters, stating “NO CORRUPTION,” which is the core message of his campaign. According to him, parliament needs a shake up because, “politicians are like diapers, the more you change them, the better.” Clae Sea
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Row 1 Picture: from left to right: protester, soldier, counter-protester, protester and French cameraman in Apr 2010
Row 2 Picture: from left to right: policeman, photographer, protesters and counter-protester in Apr 2010
Shot while taking photographs of the protests May 14, 2010.
What was your role in the protests?
I am a head photographer, so it was my job to assign work to other in-house photographers, decide where they should go and when they should be called back. Later, I started to go into the danger zone myself.
In what conditions were you shot?
I went to the Rangnam area on May 14. When I arrived I saw a guy lying on the ground who had been shot dead, and the protestors were trying to carry the body away. In the afternoon, protestors were burning tyres and at one point tried to drive a truck into the line of soldiers. Then the soldiers started firing at the protestors. I was in the line of fire, so I was trying to escape with my finger on the camera shutter the whole time. I got shot in my right thigh. The bone there was shattered. My colleagues begged the CRES to stop shooting, but I lay there for at least half an hour until medical personnel were able to help me.
How did the experience affect you?
The first couple of nights, I would wake up frightened because I was still in shock. I was in the hospital for two and a half months and had to have five separate surgeries to get all the bullet shrapnel out of my leg and repair my broken bones. I’ve been in physical therapy for the past year. I couldn’t do the work that I love. I also dramatically lost weight from 80 kilograms to 69 kilograms for my recovery.
How did you rebuild your life?
I am trying to think positive. Working as a field photographer, you’re sort of prepared for this possibility. I made up my mind on the first day that I got shot that no matter what happened I would accept it. It’s OK to recover 70-80%.
How do you think the country has changed?
It has changed so much, both the economy and society. I don’t know if things are getting better. There are so many color-groups, each working for their own benefit.
Do you think it was worth it?
Not for anyone involved. The economy was destroyed. I don’t see any achievement. It’s all about subverting the other side. Corruption is the issue but that issue should be dealt with through legal proceedings, not protests.
Was there any positive aspects?
It’s a lesson that there’s nothing to be gained from protests.
What is the key to the future?
We need to find an impartial mediator who can bring all parties to talk. But I think it’s quite hard because both side refuse to talk. Everybody always says they love the king, but they would have stopped fighting a long time ago [if that were true].
Will you accept the election results?
Yes I will. Everyone has to accept the election, otherwise the protests will never end.
Her father, the commander of the red shirts’ security forces, was shot dead May 13, 2010
What was your role in the protests?
I didn’t take part. My father let me live a normal life. But we always talked to each other on the phone when he was at the protests. Sometime I came to visit him. I didn’t want to bother him. I let him concentrate on what he was doing. But anyway, he never forbade me to go into the protest.
How did you react to his death?
It was so immediate and so quick. During the four days he was in the hospital, I kept praying for him to wake up. I was ready to take care of him in any condition he might be. And after he passed away, I could only console myself that he was now resting in peace. If he had survived, I don’t know how many difficulties he would have had to face. Some of the red shirt leaders were imprisoned and some fled. Maybe it’s better for us to be separated by death rather than by exile. I think I survived the ordeal because of the incredible support I got from people who loved my father.
How did you rebuild your life?
My father left many things for me to take care of. I learned to manage my time to do his work in addition to my daily work. When compared to my father, I am only a child, though. He had helped a lot of people so they respect and have consideration for him. I struggled and felt discouraged because everything changed so abruptly [in my life]. I had to face everything on my own without any protection from father. I think I’ve grown up a lot. I think things through very thoroughly. It’s different from the past when my father could help me solve problems.
You intend to carry on his work?
Yes, together with people around me. They went out of their way to risk their lives with my father, so I should too, within the scope of what a woman like me can do.
Did he die in vain?
I think my father would think his death is worthy. I am sad that he died but I am proud that he won all the red shirts’ hearts. They see his sacrifice. But I feel that he will have died for nothing if we cannot find and punish the one who killed him. You can’t negotiate about the dead. You can’t give anything to me to make me forget my father’s death. It’s impossible to forget a human life that easily. I believe that my father was a good man. He’d been a soldier all his life. I can’t accept the idea that we should close the case.
Were the protests worth it?
Solving problems with violence isn’t right. If the government or military had negotiated, would it have ended like this? I can say at this point that the protesters got nothing from this event. I don’t know what will happen next.
Any positive aspects?
The “no color” protesters or PAD should understand why the red shirts came to protest. They wanted justice. They came out to show what democracy is.
His brother-in-law, a soldier, is severely crippled since he was hit by a grenade on Apr 10, 2010
How did he get injured?
He was injured at Kokwua intersection by a grenade on Apr 10. He got brain damage due to a lack of oxygen. After being bed-ridden for a few months, he has started physical therapy.
What was his original condition?
He was unconscious. He couldn’t speak or move. All he could do was blink and open his eyes. Around December, he started to speak, but he could only mouth some words, without producing a sound. Now he can talk more, but it still hard to understand him. Now he can walk, too, holding himself up on handrails. I am happy to see him getting better. I never thought he would recover this much.
How about your family?
We all feel sad with what happened because he was so fit and healthy before he was wounded. Now he cannot talk that well and his brain hasn’t fully recovered. My sister cried a lot after what happened and she has been at the hospital looking after him ever since. The army gave her a job so sometimes she has to check in with them. I’m only here once in a while when she isn’t free.
How has life changed for you all?
My sister’s changed. She used to run a grocery in Suphanburi but she couldn’t do it anymore. She has to leave her shop and let her mother-in-law take care of it.
What do you think of the politics behind this conflict?
They don’t listen to each other. Nothing is getting better. I think some of the points that both colors made were valid, but some of it is useless. The mob is fine to show their opinions, but it shouldn’t create trouble for others. When people think differently, we just can’t tell them off. It’s their right to express opinions.
Do you think that the country could be united again?
I think it needs time. We don’t live in a dictatorship. I think we should be able to discuss what is best for the future. I want peace as soon as possible.
Dodged bullets and grenades to report on the protests.
What was it like, doing your job during that period?
I reported on the protests at Panfa Bridge, Sala Daeng and Ratchaprasong. I was right behind the stage where the leaders spoke. I must admit that the red shirts cooperated with the press really well, permitting us to report in the area.
How bad did things gets?
Around mid-May, the protestors were very tense, especially when there was gunfire in the Sala Daeng area in front of Dusit Thani Hotel, with M79s going off almost every minute. I had to hide behind phone booths and mailboxes to get away from the shooting. Very early on May 19, I was in front of Chula Hospital and saw tanks coming in. We weren’t allowed to go inside after that due to the state of emergency.
How do you look back on that period?
I think that this incident has taught us a great lesson. We’re starting to understand that people are used as pawns by groups who try to gain political power and that sometimes protests aren’t justified.
So you think the protests should have been banned?
The act of protesting is a primary political right. Forming a movement to ask for something, like the dissolution, is legitimate. However, the public began to question the legitimacy of the Red Shirt movement because so much violence was involved. Government troops were wounded and died and so did some of the red shirts. Therefore, I think it was definitely not worthwhile.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming election?
I believe that the election will help heal the political conflict. It’s what gives the power back to people. However, the conflict won’t end here. No matter who wins, there is going to be another movement.
Sukuman Kumrungroj, 49, bread shop owner in Bonkai
With bullets tearing through her home, she eventually fled Bonkai.
What was it like living inside the occupied zone?
On May 14, the protests got worse. Bullets hit my house and I nearly got shot. The protesters from Silom were forced by soldiers to move to here, with the use of tear gas. I had to cover my nose and mouth but it got even worse when they burned tires, threw grenades and fired weapons right in front of my house. It was a war zone, with shooting, grenades, screams. Even a man who was just standing there got shot dead. At night I could hear, “Bang! Bang!” every five minutes. I couldn’t sleep. My windows were broken. Some bullets went through my bedroom on the second floor. One of them zipped above my bed into the door. If I had sat up in my bed, I would definitely be dead. There are still bullet holes in my home, and when it rains, the water pours down through them. Protesters even threatened to set fire to an oil truck and then our houses. I couldn’t do anything but pray. I wasn’t so much afraid to die as I was to lose the house that I’d save up 20 years for. At last I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I fled to my relatives’ house. The police gave me some tips on leaving the zone: when we came out, we had to walk straight and avoid behaving suspiciously. And we had to smile at everybody even though we were scared to death.
How has your life changed?
My nerves were shot! If you didn’t live through it, you can’t imagine what it was like. I’ve become easily frightened. I jump every time something falls on the floor. Now, this area has become quiet. There are ruins and burned buildings which are not pleasant to look at. People are also afraid to come here.
Do you think the protests were worthwhile?
There’s only loss, especially innocent people. Some died simply for being voices that were opposed to the government. And when both sides attacked each other, it’s possible that a third party interfered, a group that preferred violence.
Did you get any support?
After the protestes, there was a big cleaning day when people came out. That day I sold a lot! Khun Air, the owner of Image Magazine, brought a lot of stars here, like Tono and Rith and also Thakolkeit (Boy), from the show The Star. They gave me B500 and picked up the tab for their people to order as many drinks as they wanted. They said it was a time to help each other. Support and help from family members has also been important for me.
What do you think will happen now?
Abhisit is still not good enough. If you’re going to be corrupt, but also do something for the people, that’s still better than to cheat and do nothing. I’m not sure the election will be clean or whether there will be an agenda behind it, but as long as our country is still like this, good people will not come to power.
Her record store was burned down during the protests.
Where were you during the protests?
I used to run Inter Music, selling CDs in the Siam Theater building. I’ve been selling CDs for 16 years. My shop was burned down in the incidents last year.
What was it like during the protest?
I was at my shop as usual when the protest was taking place around Ratchaprasong. The Rama 1 Road in front of Siam Square was closed, there were piles of tires and lots of amplifiers on the street. I kept my shop open but customers were afraid to come.
What was the scariest day?
When they burned down Siam Theater on May 19. I was at home because the soldiers forbade us to enter the area. The next day, I went to see my shop and took some photos. Everything was destroyed. I couldn’t sleep, so I came to sit in front of the Buddha image in my praying room at home and cried.
How has the incident changed your life?
Obviously, I’ve lost my business. I am a single mom with two kids. One of my children has leukemia another one had just been accepted at a private university. I couldn’t make ends meet. The government offered us a SME loan but I don’t think I can pay them any time soon. Luckily, I’d been saving some money and had insurance. If not, it would be even harder. I prayed and meditated and I’m better.
Do you understand the protesters?
Personally, I don’t like them and think they did it for the money. If there weren’t money, there wouldn’t be any political ideology. They came because somebody agitated them and made them believe in certain ideas. It was definitely not worthwhile. People died and suffered. Oh, except they got bailed out, right?
What kind of support did you get?
Yes, I was very lucky because so many people offered a hand. My child’s university waived the tuition fee for the year. Lots of companies provided vendors places to sell their products for free. Chulalongkorn University, the landowner, also helped a lot. Also, some of the record companies sent me stock on credit or even canceled my debts. A friend of mine who owns a clothes shop elsewhere gave me some shirts for free so I could also sell them in front of my CD booth. I was fortunate to have such good people helping.
Will you accept the election results no matter what?
This election won’t change anything.
Represents businesses in Ratchaprasong.
How was business affected by the protests?
We closed the shop on the first week the protests began. Some red shirts smashed windows but we had taken out all the products from the displays. The office stayed open until the red shirts completely blocked the streets.
How did you cope with the effects of the protests?
We founded Prachatipathai Mai Lamerd [Democracy without Infringement] with academics, businessmen, street vendors. I pity the people affected by the protests. They don’t know what to do and whom they can go to. We set up this group to help them, to tell the government to listen to them and to realize how bad the damage to us is. For example, we negotiated with the government to give us a delay to pay our taxes 3-4 months.
Twelve months later, how do you see the protests?
Some people do not know what democracy is. They only say that we have rights, but they do not think of their responsibilities to others, to the people around them. Shops were burned. People were hurt. No one has taken responsibility, no one has apologized. I don’t just mean the protesters. The government itself helped very little, which I think is very sad.
What’s changed since the protests?
I feel like there is no one helping or fixing society. It’s not just the protests. Look at things like the internet, we can see that the younger generation is very different from the previous one. Today, people are more materialistic. I think the protests reflected how the country has changed. People think Bangkok is a peaceful city, that Thailand is the land of smiles. It isn’t anymore.
His hotel had to shut down, jeopardizing some 600 jobs.
What was it like working so close to the protests?
In many ways, for me, it was the busiest and most involving days of that year. The toughest time was the last few weeks of our closure where the employees were unsure when we could open again. Even though we continued to pay salaries and stayed in close contact, no doubt some were worried they might lose their job not knowing when business could and would return. The moment we knew we could reopen our doors, however, everyone pulled together and, in retrospect, I believe it even strengthened our team.
How long did it take for normalcy to return?
I truly believe that the work atmosphere was back to “normal” almost instantly. To bring business back was a continuous process. We surely recovered quicker than we would have anticipated; and yet, to some extent we are still impacted by all the country has faced over the last three years.
Can you put a figure on the cost of the protests to your business?
Given that they coincided with a major financial crisis, it is almost impossible to precisely state the impact of one over the other. Altogether, however, we were put into a particularly difficult spot and are still working on convincing travellers from abroad that they are safe.
Do you feel that you are still suffering consequences from the protests?
We see regular commemorations of last year’s April-May events; whenever these take place in the Ratchadamri neighborhood, we see an impact on business.
What is the mood of everyone as the one year mark approaches?
In general, everyone seems to just want to go about their business and the one year mark is not a much discussed topic. But, given its impact on business, we can’t ignore [it] either but our team members, it seems, are tired of the continued issues out here.
His son was shot dead during the protests.
How did you join the rally?
First I started out as a PAD protestor against Thaksin in 2008 but, later, I grew apart from them and joined the UDD. Today, I’m against the government but don’t want Thaksin back.
How did the protests affect your life?
Cher, my son, used to be one of the people who advocated for negotiation. Now he’s gone. To be frank, when I am at home, it’s difficult for me because the atmosphere is like the old days. It makes me nostalgic. I have my son’s photos all around me and it makes me grieve. So I try to turn my grief into action. Doing projects with other activists really distracts my mind from the loss of my son, like when we went on a march on the CentralWorld skywalk with placards saying, “People died here.” We want to tell the government that they cannot just ignore what happened. People asked me to protest on my son’s death anniversary. I said no. I want some peace on that day.
Did the protesters achieve their aims?
I think that the protesters did not get anything. We called for democracy but we got bullets. It’s hard to tell whether we won or not because it hasn’t ended yet. It took time for people to see the real significance of the October [1976] incident, too. We have to keep fighting for democracy. Protesting is not the solution, but it’s the starting point of negotiation. It makes the government listen to the people’s voice. I think protesting is a way to lead to democracy.
Will you accept the election results no matter what the result?
Sure, except if there’s evidence that there is cheating. But that should be dealt through a legal process, not by having soldiers use violence to force people to accept the result.
His shop was burned down on May 18.
Tell us about your shop?
Our shop, 2 INCH, was in the Siam Theater building and had been open for just 8-9 months when it was burned down.
Where were you when the shop was burned?
On the afternoon of May 18, the soldiers told us to get out of the area. I believe that the army knew what the protestors were going to do but they just didn’t tell us. Otherwise they wouldn’t have told us to go home. On May 19, I found out that the shop was burned down because my friends called me and I saw the theater burning on TV.
How has your life changed in the last 12 months?
I rented a shop at Lido and then finally came here, a semi-permanent shop Chula provided, near the Faculty of Dentistry. This new one is a lot smaller, only 4 square meters. The old one was 16 square meters. I had to order all new t-shirts. I lost a lot, both money and customers. Plus, this area used to be a parking lot, so it takes time for customers to know we are here. But it’s OK because Chula let us rent it for free, although that may change. If I continue to make just this much profit, I won’t really have enough money to afford the rent.
What’s your take on the protests?
Normally, I’m interested in politics. I always follow the news. I also considered myself a Red Shirt because I felt that some of our people were treated unfairly. But as a vendor, I was not happy with the protests because I couldn’t do my job. And I don’t think that the protest was worthwhile because I believe that the people’s duty is to vote. It’s not our duty to go out protesting. Let the MPs do their jobs. Everybody is losing here. The government lost their reputation. The protesters made the economy go down and they also lost their lives.
What should the government do?
The only way out is education. It’s the only thing that makes people know how to think for themselves. Education can make us equal.
What do you think the future holds for the country?
I think in the next 10-20 years, our country will still be a dinosaur, just like we are now.
Will you accept the election results no matter what?
I will. One man, one vote. That is democracy.
Apinya Khuncharoen, 45, street seller
Her home and fruit cart were destroyed.
What was your life like during the protests?
I was renting a room in a shop house and selling fruit on the sidewalk in Bonkai area. When the mob was driven here from Lumpini Park, I was forced to retreat to my room. I left my fruit cart on the sidewalk because I didn’t have any time to put it away and I didn’t think the protesters would do anything to it. From my room, I heard the sound of gunfire and bombs going off all night. The protesters also burned tires. The black smoke made it impossible to breathe and I couldn’t sleep. My face was black with ash. I could see tires piled so high everywhere and couldn’t help thinking. “Where in the world am I?” It looked like a war. I decided to leave the building because the water and power supply were cut off and the smoke was too much to bear. I packed only necessary clothes and things and went to my aunt’s house in Paknam.
When did you return?
I watched the news on the evening of May 16 and saw my room had burned down. I had heard that the red shirts were burning commercial buildings but I didn’t think they would go after houses. I learned that the red shirts were pouring gas over the row of shophouses, claiming that they had to because the men in black were up there. I just stood crying in front of a television. The fire truck couldn’t get through because the road was blocked. I didn’t expect this to happen at all. The protesters acted as though they were not Thai. All of my things were up there, my life, everything I’ve been saving. It’s all gone.
How did you survive?
The government gave me 60,000 baht but that was not enough. My cart was burned. All of the tools I had been using for 20 years were all gone. I had to start all over again. Right now the economy isn’t very good, so it’s hard to sell stuff, even fruit.
Did you get any support?
Yes. A lot people offered a hand. People from Lumpini Tower helped. Some of my regular customers lent me some money without any interest or deadline, saying that I can pay them when I make it back. I don’t know what I would do without their help.
How do you think the country has changed in the last 12 months?
I don’t think the country has changed much. People are still divided.
Do you understand the protesters?
I think most of them did it for money. They could afford to abandon their job for a month but if I didn’t work for a week, I would have nothing to eat
What still needs to change?
I think we need a better government, one that truly cares about people. Our tax money doesn’t seem to be put to good use. Our country is notorious for its corruption. What I’m asking politicians for is to not cheat so much.
Will you accept the election results?
I have to. But I don’t think the election will change anything. Politicians are going to choose their own people first just like it has always been. I want Thai people to love each other. Don’t let money tear us apart.
A red shirt protester, he was shot in the face
How did you join the protests?
My parents were interested in this movement and I grew interested too. So my dad asked me to join him. Mostly, I protested at Democracy Monument.
When did you get shot?
On Apr 10, 2010, I went to Kok Wua intersection, near Democracy Monument. There were confrontations between protesters and the military. I thought there would only pushing and shoving as usual. After dark, things got more intense and fighting erupted. The army started firing at the protesters with both tear gas and rubber bullets. At one point, after washing my eyes from the tear gas I looked up and I was shot in my right eye. After the operation, the doctor told me that led to they had to take my eye out, otherwise it would have side-effects with the remaining one.
How did it affect your life?
I used to work as a reporter at Voice TV, translating international news, but I had to quit after working only three weeks. I’m in pain, I can’t look at a screen for more than 3-4 hours. I can’t lift anything heavy either, as high blood pressure would affect my eye. Also, I can’t estimate distances. I’ll grab for something and miss it.
How are you feeling today?
My attitude is better. I try to look to the future. What is lost is lost. You can’t keep these things when you die anyway. Others have even worse lives. I have to live on.
Will you accept the election results?
I will if it’s clear and clean.
“I’m here to support my team and go against the other people across the street. I want peace. I want us to be more courteous. Right now, things are just crazy.”
- Apirak K., 23, law student, counter-protestor
“I want a new prime minister. I agree with the idea that Thailand should dissolve the parliament and try arranging a new election. Why don’t we try for a better choice?”
- Thussanee Nhampetch, 47, civil servant, redshirt
“We’re protesting against the violence. We would like to create a negotiation between the two sides.”
- Suchat Saetong, 30, admin system manager, counter-protester
“I wanted to join the red protestors to help dissolve the parliament. Also, the economy is really bad and it’s hard to earn a living. I want a better life for myself.”
- Jumnong Narin, 59, shopkeeper, redshirt
Deaths resulting from the protests, on both sides, from Mar-May 2010.
Wounded, during the same period.
Bullets withdrawn by the army from arsenals, in preparation for the crackdown.
Bullets not returned after the crackdown—either shot, lost or stolen.
Number of protesters on Mar 12, 2010.
Losses to retailers according to Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association.
12 March: Red shirts set up camp on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road
16 March: Protesters splash their own blood at Government House and Democrat Party office
30 March: A round of talks with the government ends in deadlock
3 April: Red shirts occupy Ratchaprasong
7 April: Abhisit orders state of emergency in Bangkok
8 April: Troops suspend the People Channel
10 April: Troops fail to clear protesters out of Phan Fah bridge: 25 people killed and hundreds injured in the Khok Wua intersection shoot-out
22 April: M-79 grenade blasts kill one and injures 85 in Silom
28 April: Soldier shot dead in clashes at National Monument
29 April: Red shirts search Chulalongkorn Hospital claiming soldiers might be hiding in the building
13 May: Seh Deang assassinated while giving an interview to a New York Times reporter
16 May: Arson attacks around Bonkai area
13–17 May: 36 killed in the crackdown around Phan Fah Bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection
19 May, the Thai Army storms the protester’s camp resulting in 6 deaths as arsonists among the protesters set fire to numerous buildings in Bangkok and the Red shirt cadre surrenders.
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From the army’s new practice of categorizing male-to-female transgendered people as people with a gender identity disorder (as opposed to being mentally ill) to Thai Airways presenting its flight attendants with an ultimatum to lose weight within a year or be dismissed, discrimination and hiring policies have recently featured prominently in the media. But for those routinely turned down for employment on account of their gender, sexual identity, HIV status or physical disability, discrimination is an age-old reality.
While the Thai constitution contains certain inclusive paragraphs, they are vague and don’t cover several key grounds for discrimination. Of the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) eight conventions, Thailand has not ratified three, chief among them convention C.111, which promotes equality of opportunity and forbids “any distinction, exclusion or preference made on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin.” Without this convention, private companies are practically free to discriminate in their hiring process. A glance at the classified ads of any of Thailand’s major newspapers will feature explicit preferences like gender, national origin, age range and even perceived “pleasant appearance,” as well as the never-questioned request for a personal photograph along with the initial application, even before the candidate has been interviewed and/or shortlisted. More importantly, the lack of legislation—and enforcement—on the part of the government for most cases means that those discriminated against have no recourse to legal action or access to equality.
Ahead of Labor Day celebrations (May 1), we speak to job seekers, activists, lawmakers and the ILO, in order to examine various grounds for discrimination and what measures, if any, are in place to prevent it.
Walk into a typical Thai office and you’ll find yourself in a sea of desks and cubicles with young, intelligent women in their 20s and 30s, answering phones and shooting off emails. Past them are a handful of executive offices, occupied largely by men. Nelien Haspels, gender specialist at the ILO, says, “Discriminatory attitudes and practices pervade workplaces and are accepted in society as a fact of life, despite existing legal provisions.”
She adds, “The types and levels of jobs, and the level and regularity of earnings that women and men have access to, differ. However women still make up the buffer workforce within labor markets, as flexible and expendable workers.“
According to statistics gathered by the ILO in 2000, there were roughly 33,499 male doctors in Thailand and only 28,591 females. When it came to nurses and midwives, however, there were just 8,066 males and a whopping 111,567 females. In the business sector, there were roughly 16,404 male directors and chief executives and only 7,515 females. But when it came to secretaries and typists, there were 48,514 women, compared to just 15,807 men.
In terms of wages, too, the gap persists. Male accountants, for example, made an average of B27,000 per month and females only B21,900 in 2006. Even in primary education, largely stereotyped as work appropriate for females, male kindergarten teachers made an average of B7,000 more per month than their female colleagues.
Then there is gender discrimination that cannot be quantified. In the latest development in Thai Airways’ controversial bid to have their flight staff lose weight, the airline now aims to expand their flight staff by 290 women and 178 men. On the surface, it appears that women have an advantage in this situation. But candidates are required to be under 25 years old and have “standard body mass index.” The bizarre assumption that glamor is essential to the airline industry (or that curvier people are slow in emergencies) is unquestioned and the unfair perception that presentable, professional women are youthful and slender persists.
Percentage of directors of companies registered at the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2006 who were female, according to a joint study by the UN and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Number of female directors of companies registered at the SET, out of a total of 624.
Companies with female directors registered at the Ministry of Commerce.
According to a 2007 study by the ILO, three percent of the Thai population has some sort of disability. Yet only 35% of them over the age of 15 are employed, and of those who are employed, only a small minority work in professional occupations. The rest are involved in rural farming and fishing. Ironically, disability is an issue that is covered extensively by Thai law. This discrepancy between the law and the reality highlights the fact that equal employment is not always a matter of creating laws, but more a question of implementing them and raising awareness and sensitivity among employers.
Regarding this divide, the ILO’s subregional coordinator on disability, Emanuela Pozzan, says, “The laws provide many options. However, due to stereotypes, little knowledge on the topic and practical accessibility issues, employers still do not know much about it and tend not to employ persons with disabilities.” The same seems to go with the legal mechanism in service of those discriminated against. It exists, but, Pozzan says, “Not many people know about this mechanism and sometimes it is slow. Not many cases have been treated so far.”
Wiriya Samsiripongpan, a blind professor at Thammasat University and a staunch advocate of equal employment, points out that some companies have also found creative ways to avoid hiring persons with disability. “For example, a company needs someone skilled in computers. Someone in a wheelchair may be good with computers, but the company may refuse to accept such people by further stipulating in the ad that successful candidates must have a driving license, claiming that the office is located far from the city center.”
Even in the case of open-minded employers, successful applicants who have disabilities are difficult to come by because the city and most workplaces are unsuited to their needs. More significantly, the disadvantage begins early in life, when children with disabilities are largely unsupported at school and during vocational training. Ajarn Wiriya says, “When I was a child, I had no place to study, because public school did not accept me. Sam Saen Academy used to accept blind students, but when there was a new director, they stopped.”
Dr. Phrommin Sitabut, an advisor of the Commission of Labor, hopes to create and garner support for laws that will benefit persons with disability in three ways. “The first thing is education. A child with a disability should have a chair suitable for his body or a book written in Braille. The facilities have to be efficient in order to equalize the differences between him and other students. The second thing is that he must be able to go anywhere, like a normal person. Buses and buildings must provide facilities for him. The third is that he has to receive special care when he goes to the hospital because he is confined in some way. If these three things happen, people with disabilities will become more like everyone else, able to study, work and take examinations.” Unfortunately, introducing new measures is a process fraught with opposition. Dr. Phrommin says, “It’s too bad there is no MP who has a disabled child, or else we’d have a lot more measures in place. But honestly, the law is not the best solution. Our conscience is. In a truly Buddhist society, there would be no need for these laws.”
In the meantime, the battles for equality are few and hard-won, often due to appeals to compassion. Ajarn Wiriya recalls when he applied to teach at Thammasat: “When I was first taking the exam, some professors opposed it. They said, ‘Don’t we have enough seeing professors? Why do we have to hire a blind professor?’ Luckily I had the support of some other professors, who lobbied for me. But most disabled people won’t be so lucky and will face even more discrimination than me.”
Percentage of men with physical disabilities who have employment in Thailand.
Women with physical disabilities who have employment in Thailand.
The Thai army has been in the news for the terminology it’s been using for transgendered women during the conscription process. But to Yollada Suanyod, television personality and president of TransFemale, the issue of language is moot. “The real problem lies in the treatment we receive during conscription. In my personal experience, the soldiers asked me to take off my shirt, even though I begged them not to. I felt really embarrassed because at that time I had already had breast surgery. They asked to examine my sexual organs. I wouldn’t have minded having the process done by doctors, but there were ten other soldiers in the room, too. They treated us like a joke.”
Bangkok has a strong reputation as a haven for gays and the transgendered, mostly in comparison with Singapore and predominantly Muslim countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. Indeed, there are transgendered women on TV, winning beauty pageants or acting as clowns on comedy shows. But for every trans woman who is in the media or in a salon, many more have little access to employment in offices in the upper echelons of business, least of all in executive positions, not to mention the disproportionate number of trans women forced to work in bars and clubs or as prostitutes. Richard Howard of the ILO says, “There is a reasonable sized transgendered population, many skilled and some well educated, but they basically have few opportunities to get decent jobs.”
While Thai employment law can broadly be interpreted to include trans women—and visibly gay men and women—companies who refuse to hire them due to prejudice are not required to state their reasons when turning down applicants. Jetsada Taesombat, coordinator of the Thai Transgender Alliance, recalls her own experience, “After I graduated, my two female friends and I applied for jobs at the same company. They were hired but I wasn’t, even though we had similar qualifications. Later, I found out that there weren’t any transgendered people working in the office, so I knew why they didn’t hire me.” While labor law may be inclusive (though not explicitly so), transgendered people aren’t always empowered by knowledge of their rights. Jetsada says, “There aren’t many cases of transgendered people suing their employers because they don’t really realize that their rights have been violated. There are very few cases that appear in courtrooms.”
Moreover, the lack of more fundamental legislation pertaining to documentation has repercussions on their career paths. While some other countries permit transgendered people to retroactively change their sex on legal documents, Thailand does not, causing enormous bureaucratic headaches. Yollada recalls, “Once I had applied for a scholarship in Sweden. I passed the written exam, but failed the interview because the committee was concerned there would be a problem with my documentation. My identity card still has Mr. in front of my name, even though I look like a normal woman.” Incidentally, allowing retroactive changes from male to female on legal documents would also avoid the issue of transgendered women facing army conscription.
All of this is to say nothing about trans men—summarily categorized as toms, with little distinction between lesbians and transgendered men—who are not part of the discourse surrounding the third sex. Or casual discrimination against male or female homosexuals which can occur during the hiring process at the employer’s discretion.
According to a UNAIDS survey done in 2008, 1.4% of Thailand’s overall population is HIV-positive. The majority of these people, roughly 600,000, are of working age. A year later, an unrelated survey, done by the People Living with HIV Stigma Index in 2009, showed some disturbing trends. Of the 233 HIV-positive Thais surveyed, only 16.5% had full-time employment. A third of the respondents had lost their jobs because of their HIV status, and 26% had been turned down for jobs.
In 2004, the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV reported that Thai workers with HIV have had their duties changed or scaled back since discovery of their status, have been offered early retirement and even lost prospective promotions. Just as bad, many have experienced harrassment from their co-workers. A young professional, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “I was working at a bookstore on a BTS station. I didn’t tell them about my health. But I asked my ex-coworkers about their feelings on working with an HIV-positive person and what I heard was negative.”
In conjunction with the Prime Minister, the ILO developed the National Guideline on the Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS in the Workplace in 2009. The guideline aims to ensure, among other things, that HIV blood tests are not a requirement during the application process, that offices keep personal data confidential and support their HIV-positive employees to work and advance like their peers. But as is the case with many preventative measures, there is a problem with implementation. No inspection committee is in place to enforce this guideline, and many employers, particularly factories, continue to require HIV blood tests of their applicants. But Anthony Pramualratana, executive director of the Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS (TBCA) believes that knowledge will be more instrumental than lawmaking. “Malaysia and the Philippines both have laws, but they’re impossible to enforce. Knowing the facts is the best way, because companies that have accurate information make good management decisions.“
Gender
Nelien Haspels says, “Progress has been made in addressing gender equality in Thai laws. Major laws such as the 2007 Constitution and the 1998 Labour Protection Act, with its 2008 amendments, incorporated more clearly the gender equality principle and prohibit direct gender discrimination, although some discriminatory provisions exist in Thai family law.” Furthermore, the Gender Equality Act is currently in the works, with the cabinet supporting it. Unlike many previous measures, this act will emphasize close monitoring of the issues with a discrimination investigation mechanism and more funding towards promoting equality. This act was to be considered by the House of Representatives but the plans for dissolution could postpone it.
Sexual Identity
Jetsada says, “My goal is the elimination of titles: you shouldn’t have to say if you are male or female. Your ID number should be enough.” On the other hand, the Commission of Labor sees transgender rights as falling outside its domain. Dr. Phrominn Sitabut says, “We haven’t considered this issue. We think the problem of the disabled, the poor and the elderly is more important. Transgendered only lack the right to be the sex they want to be.”
HIV Status
The Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS has developed a Code of Practice for the Prevention and Management of HIV in the Workplace. This code looks develop the existing National Guideline and make it more specific. Currently, 8,000 companies, out of 380,000 registered companies in Thailand, have joined a sensitivity training program offered by the TBCA. Anthony says, “It’s good for business. Shareholders and consumers might not buy from a company that discriminates.”
Physical Disability
An existing National Commission for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities now has an additional sub-committee which will be responsible for specific disputes having to do with discriminatory practices in the workplace. Currently, there is only one case under consideration, as laws protecting the disabled are relatively new, and people are not fully aware of their options. Dr. Sumeth Ritthakani, president of the Commission of Labor says, “People don’t know what law has been enforced, even those who are working on petitions. People protest to get [new] laws, but they don’t actually follow up on it. In fact, we don’t need more laws on this subject.”
Kwanrattana Songsathaporn, 24, postgraduate student
I don’t think flight attendants need to be very beautiful. What they need is good personalities. Why are they trying to control their waist size? Are they trying to save money on uniforms?
Peerasit Kanthiwai, 46, hotel manager
It’s normal for the company to set certain rules for their employees. However, it’s not that easy to lose weight; we all know that. And I think physical appearance is only one small part of a good air hostess. The most important thing is a service mind. Plus, I think executives can use this policy to persecute employees they don’t like, finding ways to prove that they are overweight in order to demote them.
Chomnapas Sasirawut, 26, office employee and former ground hostess
I think it’s a good policy which will help raise the standard of flight attendants because, from my experience, if they’re too big, it will seem like they’re not active and not able to help the passengers when needed. But they don’t need to be that thin. They only need to look strong and agile. Personally, I don’t think appearance is directly related to the quality of their work, but it does make passengers feel comfortable. It’s not essential, but if it’s possible for flight attendants to look their best, they should.
Thanesuan Boonprasit, 40, motorcycle driver
For a long time, the image of an air hostess has always been beautiful. If they are too chubby, they won’t look good or energetic. If they are good looking, it’s pleasant for passengers. Personally, I think a person who is not beautiful can be a flight attendant, but the airways might not think like that. They would rather maintain the image of flight attendants as angels. Also, they might think it’s easier to train a pretty woman than to make a skillful woman prettier.
Mayuree Kantharadusadi, 49, online retailer
I don’t think good looks matter much. Their personality, cheerfulness and behavior come first. Still, it’s undeniable that good-looking flight attendants are delightful sights for passengers but I don’t think flight attendants need to be very beautiful, just good-looking is enough. So if they’re a bit plump, it’s no big deal. But if they are too fat, they don’t look good and they can look inactive, so I do think they should maintain their weight.
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Teen headquarters Siam Square and foodie haven Sam Yan have seen many gradual changes in recent years, from the not-so-functional Digital Gateway on the site of the old Center Point to the Siam Kitt Building across from the Novotel Hotel. Additional construction work is either ongoing or in the pipelines, affecting the Siam Theater area and Sam Yan Market. We spoke to Associate Professor Permyot Kosolbhand, a deputy rector of Chulalongkorn University and the chief of its property management office (PMO) about their plans for the future. He confirmed that, like it or not, a total facelift of the area, a result of numerous projects over the next five years, is all but inevitable.
This 500-meter long pedestrian walkway has long been a source of dispute between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the university’s PMO. The land technically belongs to the university, but as it has been used as a public passage for many years, the BMA has asked for the right to manage it. The resolution is that Chula will retain ownership but will collaborate with the BMA and the Bangkok Sabai Walk Project to develop the strip into an accessible walkway for everyone. There was a recent footpath design competition, where, unfortunately, no winners were declared, though a few runner-up designs will be combined to make the final plan in the next few months.
After the Siam Theater was burned down during the May riots, construction workers have been busy priming the now-level plot as we watch from the BTS platform. The end result will be a new six-story, multi-purpose complex featuring lifestyle shops, restaurants and tutoring centers. The first two floors will house up to 1,000 small retailers, while upper floors will be for larger fashion, food and education outlets. Professor Permyot reveals that the name might be Siam Square One, to mark this new beginning of Siam Square.
After losing Center Point, we got this IT-centric mini mall instead, which was quickly receiving complaints about dysfunctional escalators and too-small restrooms. Now Digital Gateway has welcomed more chic shops and good restaurants, including several Japanese ones—everyone’s favorite—in a move to make it more desirable to Siam-goers. Hate it or not, Digital Gateway is not going anywhere for at least the next 15 years, which is when their current lease is up for renewal.
Completed late last year, the Siam Kitt Building has replaced old favorites Canton Suki and some decades-old shophouses. The 20-floor building comes packed with restaurants, cafes and lifestyle shops on the basement and ground floors, and tutoring centers on floors 1-5. The upper floors will house a giant parking space and an as yet unnamed and not yet completed three-star hotel. The estimated price tag is somewhere between B1-2 billion. This hotel, once operational, will act as an additional income generator for Chula.
These are temporary shophouses organized by Chula for the vendors who lost their shops during the May riots. These new shops will remain where they are for at least another two years, until the new building (see 2) is completed. Chula is considering giving priority to these vendors for rental space in the new building.
With complaints about the lack of green space in Siam Square, especially after Digital Gateway replaced Center Point, Chula has transformed the old parking space at its Faculty of Pharmacy into a pocket park. Designed by lecturers and students of the Faculty of Architecture, the park works as a public space for special non-profit events like art fairs and performances. But as the location is pretty hidden from the crowds, not many people have stumbled upon it yet.
Sounds good, right? Who can say no to more green space. But Professor Permyot clarifies, “Green space doesn’t always mean trees on the ground. It can also come in the form of vertical or rooftop gardens, too”—something we’ve been begging for in this city for way too long.
After a several-year hiatus during the economic downturn last decade, the building was completed two years ago, making it the first shopping and office complex owned by the university. Chamchuri Square is comprised of three parts: an office tower, a shopping complex and residences. The office space is mostly taken up by Dtac’s headquarters, while Chamchuri Residence is selling on a 60-year lease basis with prices ranging from B16.9-19.9 million for a space of 190-220 sq meters.
The largest space in this new development plan is across the street from Chamchuri Square, with an area of almost 14 rai. This second phase of construction comprises a lifestyle shopping arcade, rental office space and residences. Details are yet to be finalized, but the building will cost between B5-6 billion.
In case you haven’t noticed, the charming spot where you used to park your car to pick up your favorite street eats and desserts around the Suan Luang area was recently bulldozed. The space will become yet another community mall, packed with restaurants, cafes, lifestyle stores, and a rental residence for international students. Don’t panic just yet—there’s still plenty to eat around there. Find our picks in Avenue, page 16.Cost: B1.4 billion
Right at the intersection, across from Tesco Lotus Super and next to the National Stadium, this land will be developed as a sports complex with a fitness center and shops selling athletic products. Cost: B5 billion
This project, initiated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), aims to install a monorail around Chulalongkorn University, from Rama 1 to Rama 4 Road. Chula will provide a plot for the monorail’s depot in the Sam Yan area. It’s still in the planning stage but it could happen in just a couple of years.
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This November, Bloomberg reported that Groupon.com was seeking venture capital that would value it at US$3 billion. That’s a nice chunk of change for a “deal of the day” website that sells discounted vouchers for (mostly) food and services. Their motto, “one ridiculously huge coupon each day, on the best things to eat, see, do and buy in your city,” has inspired a series of copycats in Thailand: Ensogo.com, O.ffer.us, Dealdidi.com and, most recently, Thaicitydeals.com, which launched Nov 29 (see The Players). Others, like Bonbondeals.com, are set to launch in a couple of weeks.
For us consumers, what’s not to like? The coupons are at least 50% off and can even reach 90% off. For businesses, these coupons promise instant cash and the possibility of new customers. But on the other hand, cheap coupons for us work out expensive for the business. For example, when a venue honors a B200 off coupon that you paid B100 for, it only gets B50, and the other B50 goes to the website’s commission (see how it Works above). So to offer 50% off, venues have to actually discount their product or service by up to 75%. These massive discounts have caused some to criticize Groupon as only appealing to failing businesses in desperate cash flow situations. Further, they say that services delivered in exchange for vouchers can be of low quality because venues are swamped by a sudden influx of coupon holders after the sale ends.
Gael Ovide-Etienne, Thaicitydeals founder and chairman, doesn’t think wanting cash means a business is failing, though. “We’re talking to a lot of new businesses. Do they need new customers? Of course. New places need clients. But we wouldn’t send our clients to bad businesses. We don’t want to damage our own business.”
As for being swamped by new customers, vouchers are usually made to last a long time, from three to six months, so that a business may get a busy a day or two after the sale but voucher owners should eventually get spread out over a longer period of time. Ian Soo, director of Bonbondeals, also says conditions can be built in, like mandatory three-day-prior reservations.
But the deal-a-day gold rush could soon level off. O.ffer.us hasn’t posted a deal since June. One wax salon owner told us he’d negotiated a commission-free deal with another website, a possible sign of desperation on the deal-a-day front. “Acquiring deals is expensive. There’s an investment,” says Ovide-Etienne. “You need a whole team of people. So a lot of players will release a new site but many will close down eventually.” What Ovide- Etienne foresees, however, is a segmentation of the market, where 12 play- ers could coexist feeding off different demographics: mass market, expats, “adventure travel-types,” etc. Soo, who wants to target both Thais and expats, is less optimistic: “I see three major players remaining within 12-18 months.” And despite being a latecomer, Soo is convinced Bonbondeals will be one of them.
Competition could also come directly from social networks. X2 Kui Buri recently held a Facebook auction for a B21,000 room, which sold for B6,300. With more and more people directly “liking” their favorite businesses on Facebook, merchants could increasingly choose to enter the deal-a-day fray without going through the middlemen. Wait, isn’t that just the return of good ol’ direct marketing? The more things change, the more they stay the same.
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People are getting together in new ways, exchanging, learning but also building up their personal brands. It’s over for old-school networking events where booze and business cards are the name of the game. From tweetmeets to TEDx talks, young professionals are interacting in more meaningful ways that blur the line between online and off. With Ignite coming up Oct 13 (see below), BK takes a look at the events, talks and gatherings that are redefining networking in our city.
What is it: 20 slides, 15 seconds per slide, and a speaker talking over (and about) them, for a total of five minutes. That’s the basic format of Ignite (similar to Pecha Kucha, which disappeared from the Bangkok scene a couple years ago, only it was 20 seconds per slide). First held in 2006 in Seattle, Ignite has been organized in more than 50 countries around the world. Two Ignite events in Bangkok and one Ignite in Chiang Mai have already happened thanks to the efforts of Poramate Minsiri, founder and owner of Kapook.com (see interview, this page), and his team. Topics are varied, from people’s school theses to personal poetry. Attendance is free.
Good for: Young creative people, first jobbers, students and those who are looking for new inspirations to break out from the same old daily grind.
Who are you going to meet? People in advertising agencies and media companies, trend researchers and a lot of dek naew.
How to leverage yourself: Send your topic and some details of what you would like to speak about to webmaster@ignite.in.th. Working within such a super tight timeframe, you’re going to have be informative and straight to the point.
The pay-off: An idea, a contact, and your twitter handle on their website.
When and where? The next Ignite will be held at Chulalongkorn University Auditorium on Oct 13. Expect to see highlighted Igniters like Pramuan Pengchan, a former university professor who walked from Chiang Mai to Samui to observe his inner soul; Dtac Vice-President Thana Tianatchariya who was behind the success of Happy by Dtac; a famous Econoics columnist Sorakol Adulyanont aka Noom Muang Chan and a writer Panumas Thongthanakul aka Baipad. Register and find more updates at www.ignite.in.th.
What is it: A TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) event is a conference featuring a series of mini-lectures. Again, people are encouraged to keep it short, ideally no more than 18 minutes, and use plenty of visuals, although the slideshow isn’t automated like Ignite or Pecha Kucha. Founded in the USA in 1984, attending the original is outrageously expensive (US$6,000) and being a speaker is near-impossible if you don’t have some world-class achievements to discuss. That’s where TEDx comes in Independently organized, these mini-TEDs allow us mortals to partake at a local level in a TED-like experience and hear speakers ranging from NGO workers to successful businessmen.
Good for: Social entrepreneurs, bright scientists and creative inventors.
Who are you going to meet? Entrepreneurs and NGO workers trying to pitch their ideas or organizations as something really different. In attendance is a wide range of people but this is probably the most expat-focused event with most talks in English or with English translators.
How to get on stage? You could email them but they select their own guests.
How to leverage yourself: TEDx talks last a maximum 18 minutes and should use plenty of visuals to keep your audience awake. But you’ll most likely be in the crowd. Leveraging yourself there will probably involve some good old networking with the speakers you like (don’t forget your business cards).
The pay-off: With a pretty elite crowd, a winning presentation could get you the contact of a young CEO.
When and where? The latest TEDxKrungthep was held on Sep 4, so expect the next one in March. Visit http://ow.ly/2GHIO for updates. If you just want some inspiration, you can download TED talks for free at www.ted.com.
What is it: An annual event for geeks and gadget fanatics to meet up and talk about everything tech-related, from the latest hardware to the newest blogging trends. Based on the assumption that everybody attending is an expert, participants can get up and give their opinions on any topic they feel like—with no fixed time table. That does mean it can (and often does) last well into the night.
Good for: Tech geeks. Repeat, tech geeks. Be warned they sometimes talk a language normal people don’t understand
Who you are going to meet? Not just gadget geeks from the IT industries but also the tech-savvy from other professions. And they are all experts in their fields.
How to leverage yourself: There are no pre-set topics or time table so if you want to speak about something, just know your stuff and get on your soapbox.
The pay-off: Your smart opinions on topics get you applause and kudos.
When and where? The 4th Bar Camp Bangkok will be held at Sri Pathum University on Oct 23-24. More information at www.barcampbangkok.org. Barcamp Bangkhen is scheduled for Oct 16 at the Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University. More information at www.barcampbangkhen.org. Admission to both events is free.
What is it: At first, a group of online marketing and advertising people who would meet up every month and discuss web-related topics. The event has gotten bigger and bigger so that there are now guest speakers going on stage to cover specific topics.
Good for: All the people who don’t understand any of this but want a piece of the action—yes, we mean you, soulless marketing executives, social media PR whores and frantic old-media types.
Who you are going to meet: Web developers and designers to build your new awesome website idea. Or a sucker who will hire you to build her new awesome website idea. Take the money and run!
How to leverage yourself: Don’t just talk to your web buddies. The money is with the suits hiding in the crowd and they don’t speak CSS and HTML. Use the word “monetize” or “paid revenue” whenever attention starts flagging.
The pay-off: A new job or hire, a good rolodex of freelancers for your online projects, business ideas, or just a bunch of stuff you can repeat at meetings to sound really informed on the rise of “3.0 social gaming interactions with mobile application localization.”
When and where? Go to www.facebook.com/webwedth for updates.
What is it: Twitter is a social media tool that allows you to shout out short (140 characters) messages to your followers and read the messages of those you follow. But you already knew that. From a career perspective, it’s also raised previously obscure people to the rank of mini-celebrities. (It used to be you had to actually publish a book or something to get that kind of status.) In marketing and media circles, Twitter cred is becoming a real asset to getting a job—and it’s fast extending to other professions.
Good for: Everyone. Anyone from a photographer to a musician can gain benefits from having a strong following.
Who you are going to meet: Celebrities, reporters, marketing execs, ad execs and a lot of wannabes.
How to leverage yourself: Tweet, retweet and reply tweet as often as you could on a very specific topic that you can stake out as your own. (Social media is taken. So is Bangkok: @bkmagazine.)
The pay-off: You become an authority. If you have a question you’ll get instant answers from groupies desperate to get retweeted by your serene highness. And you could also shamelessly advertise that you’re looking for a new job. Just make sure your current boss isn’t a follower.
When and where? Everyday, 24/7, on www.twitter.com. Twitter can also lead to real encounters though, called tweetmeets. You’ll hear about ones likely to interest you from the people you follow.
What is it: Ploy Saeng is a semi-regular TCDC event to support young designers and local manufacturers to present their products to the general public. The Name Card Festival, hosted by tcdcconnect.com, TCDC’s online database of entrepreneurs, is more of a networking event for people in the design industry.
Good for: Aspiring designers or a factory owner looking to revamp her products with some fresh new talent.
Who are you going to meet? Mostly similarly broke people with “great” designs, first-jobbers and students.
How to leverage yourself? Make really good stuff. Very pretty name cards can’t hurt either, particularly at the Name Card Festival. And do us a favor, no more designs for stationery or fancy phone cases.
The pay-off: Top-selling entrepreneurs will get press coverage in TCDC publications, and that could mean more jobs in the future.
When and where: Visit www.tcdc.or.th and
www.tcdcconnect.com for updates of upcoming events.
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Through Oct 31
At BACC, BTS National Stadium
Actress-turned-artist Wannaphon “Sai” Chimbanchong documents political Facebook statuses and toilet poems through graffiti art, installation and ceramic. BTS National Monument
Through Oct 24, at 100 Tonson Gallery, Soi Tonson, BTS Chit Lom
Contemporary artist Sakarin Krue-on allegorizes the current social discordance through a short film, paintings and photographs. Soi Tonson
Nov 25-Jan 9, 2011
At BACC, BTS National Stadium
Bangkok-based French-Chinese photographer Olivier Pin-Fat, along with five other artists, roll out a series of images captured during the May aftermath.
Under the emergency decree, the CRES can ban any media it deems a threat to national security. More on the State of Censorship.
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When the Board of Censors ordered scenes from his movie cut, Apichatpong chose to replace them with silent, black screens of the same duration as the cut scenes, creating long moments for viewers to be painfully aware of their absence. He said the police were so worried he would not make the cuts, he had to actually leave the cut footage on the floor, in their office. What did it contain? A monk playing the guitar and doctors drinking alcohol in a hospital. Syndromes and a Century was voted best movie of 2007 by Newsweek, and of the decade by the Toronto International Film Festival. Apichatpong won the Cannes Festival Palme d’Or this year for Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives. Apichatpong is still critical of Thailand’s present situation and is the victim of slander by pro-government forces.
When Siam Cement awarded its prestigious Young Artist Award to Warthit Sembut, it landed itself in hot water. His paintings depicted monks engaging in unbecoming activities, handling jewels at a market, or in grotesque poses. A month before that, the 2007 National Artist Award had gone to Anupong Chanthorn’s painting Bhikku Sandan Ka, which depicted monks afflicted with giant black beaks surrounded by crows. The award caused an uproar and protests drawing hundreds, although Silapakorn did not back down. Siam Cement Group did. Arguing that as a private organization they could not risk upsetting anyone, SCG decided to not show Warthit’s paintings. Infuriated, and with the support of artists like Vasan and Manit, the young painter returned his award.
In one of the most deliciously bizarre cases of censorship, acclaimed conductor and composer Somtow Sucharitkul was asked to change the staging of Ayodhya, an opera he had composed in honor of HM the King. At the time, the Ministry of Culture claimed that Somtow’s intention to have Tosakan die on stage would be a terrible omen that could bring the government down, or worse. Somtow compromised by dimming the lights to represent the mythical demon’s death. Still the Ministry of Culture presented him with a contract saying they could shut the whole thing down, mid-performance, if they ever felt there was a violation of Thai morals. Despite this, Somtow has said he feels, as an artist, freer now than under Thaksin.
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According to Global Voices Advocacy (http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org), Thailand has, to date, blocked at least 113,000 websites deemed to pose a threat to national security. To break this down, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) and the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) admitted to blocking 48,000 websites in May, 50,000 in June and July, plus constantly adding 500 more to the list every day. By simply compiling press releases from the government, Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) puts it at 210,000 blocked websites.
The two main Red Shirt-related publications, Red News and Truth Today, have been banned since May. The fortnightly publication Voice of Taksin was replaced by Red Power, because its founder managed to obtain a license before the state of emergency. But Red Power was then banned, too.
People Channel (PTV) was blocked by Thai cable operators. A new station, Asia Update, has been set up to replace it (http://www.asiaupdate.tv/). It does not touch on politics because it risks censorship under the emergency decree. According to Reporters without Borders, dozens of community radio stations have also been ordered to stop broadcasting and some 35 journalists have been prosecuted for inciting listeners to demonstrate.
Plus: A look at some politically-charged exhibitions and the top Thai attacks on art.
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Thailand—and perhaps Bangkok, most of all—has been traumatized by the demonstrations and military crackdown that killed 91 people and left parts of downtown in smoldering ruins a few months ago. Perhaps because of our disapointment with politics, or because of increasing censorship, there’s a feeling that this trauma isn’t being addressed by the media. That has made artists incredibly important voices for the past few months. Here, we speak to some moderate artists and a couple of resolutely anti-red ones, too. We’d have spoken to hardcore reds to balance things out but their absence in the capital, or silence (see our boxes on censorship), speaks quite loudly. Finally, we ask if art is a way to go beyond color politics and elevate us to something better and higher than what the yellow/red divide can offer.
With his latest performance Flu-O-Less-Sense, seasoned actor/director and B-Floor founder Teerawat “Kage” Mulwilai revisited the media’s portayal of the Apr-May 2010 events both from pro- and anti-government perspectives. Taking a break from work on a sequel to his acclaimed production, Kage shares his take on artistic, social and political issues.
Explain your performce.
Flu-O-Less-Sense talks about this contagious disease which induces the state of senselessness. It’s a performance without script, well, unless you call gibberish script! I used a lot of visuals to help get my points across. News clippings were projected onto the stage’s floor and on screen. I wanted to make the audiences feel as if they were in those scenes from the news, and therefore part of the situation. It also dealt with the messages we received from the media. Like it or not, we were all involved one way or another. I wanted to portray things as they are, or at least, as portrayed by the government and TV channels like ASTV and Red Shirt TV. Who would you choose to believe when everybody tried to portray themselves in their best light possible? The performance wasn’t biased, because I laid it all out there. The show ran parallel with the Thai context. We raised questions and it was up to the audiences to find hidden symbols.
What was the audience’s reaction?
They said they found it quite extreme, like a punch in the face! They said it made them feel like they were back in May and the few months leading up to the clash. You know, that overwhelming feeling of not knowing who to trust, what news channel to believe. I really had no answers for the audience. I can’t wait for them to see the sequel, which will be called Flu-All-Right. But is it really alright? We’ll see.
Do you ever practice self-censorship?
No. I do cringe sometimes, though, during rehearsals. For example, when I was doing the show called Sun Dan Ka, which talks about Anupong Chantorn’s notorious paintings depicting monks with beaks, I thought it was a bit much. But then I told myself that I wasn’t doing it just for the sake of being controversial; I had a point to make. Also, the kind of people who come to see my works are usually the understanding kind—more progressive, if you will. So, I don’t really have anything to worry about. Diversity of thoughts should be encouraged, not restricted. I strongly believe that the “We Love Bangkok” campaign is just propaganda. They miss the mark completely. Thai people are not school students who need to be told to love the country. It’s worrying that something as basic as common sense has to be taught and advertised in our country.
Were you always political?
I’ve always been working on social and political issues. My productions tackle all kinds of issues from sexuality to the Holocaust. But at the end of the day, each production has the goal of provoking thought. I doubt that democracy actually works, because from my experience of living and working in several countries, politicians are the same everywhere. If it’s meant to work, then how come people seem to constantly go against the government?
Who holds the truth: artists or politicians?
At the end of the day, I’m still just one of the many Thai people who has every right to express my opinion. Artists are perhaps a bit more special because they are capable of presenting their thoughts and ideas in a non-obvious way. My work doesn’t usually provide the answer. It makes people ponder on the matter.
At 53 years old, veteran artist/poet Vasan Sitthiket remains passionate about politics. Best known for his controversial, satirical works, Vasan recently expressed his opinions on the May clash in “17-19 May 1992” and “19 May 2010,” shown at the Akko Art Gallery’s 20/20 exhibition which ended last month.
What do your paintings mean?
They’re an analogy to one another and are pretty self-explanatory. People tend to think that my exhibitions, particularly the “Ten Evil Scenes of Thai Politics,” which was showing during the beginning of the red protests, was aimed at Thaksin, but actually it came from my accumulated displeasure with the government. I painted “Blood Rain” [currently on display at Return Ticket: Thailand-Germany, see +art page 40] to let the politicians know that we know what they’re up to. It’s almost like a plea, if you will, for them not to corrupt this country any further than they have already.
Ever practiced self-censorship?
Never. The artist’s duty is to be a voice for the public. The state of censorship can’t touch artistic expression. However, we have to be careful as some groups of people will use freedom of speech as a disguise, or with ulterior motives. It’s not an individual, it’s a process, and the victims have always been the people. We’re in the 21st century and there’s really no need for censorship. People will eventually find out if you leave certain things out. I know I don’t need to be censored. It all depends on what your motives are. I’m doing all this to speak out for the public. Some claim to do it for the democracy, when in fact it’s for Thaksin. I think our country has a lot of freedom—crazy freedom. We just need to learn to make use of that freedom and make it politically correct—so to speak. We’re at the verge of doom, and unfortunately those in power are not wise enough to salvage the situation.
What was the audience’s reaction?
With the color separation, people have become noticeably more sensitive about my works. But c’est la vie. I’ve got to say what I’ve got to say. There’s no point beating around the bush. If people cringe when they see my work, so be it. The concept of kreng jai, most of the time, backfires in Thai society. People are too afraid of being blunt, which is not a good thing.
How did you first get involved in political art?
I grew up just after the clashes between the students and army on October 14 in 1973, when the thinkers and writers re-emerged from their hiding places. I’ve always been an artist who’s determined to document our country’s political and social changes and development. I’ve always been involved with mobs and rallies for as long as I can remember. As an artist, you’re somewhat obligated to poke your nose into matters. I believe that artists should also act like journalists.
Can artists really change society?
I was involved in a lot of demonstrations to get rid of dishonest politicians. I brutally criticized them through the best ways I know; by making art and writing poems allegorizing them as animals. We elect people to run the country on our behalf, not rob us of resources for their personal gain. I’ve always considered myself anti-government because, in my opinion, state power is the people’s arch enemy. We need morally decent people to run our country, not a bunch of crooks. To me, our parliament is nothing but a thief’s lair. All this was reflected through my works titled “New Bangkok Skyline,” which were a series of satirical election posters for the fictitious Artist Party, aimed to take a jab at Thai Rak Thai’s populism back in 2008. Democracy can never happen in a society where the people in power abuse and spoil the system.
What’s the difference between art and politics?
To me they’re one and the same. I’m not above politics; I’m all about politics.
A regular at major international art events like the Venice Biennale, Maehongsorn-native artist Sakarin Krue-on returns to his home turf with Manorah and Best Friends of the Snake, an exhibition combining a short film, paintings and images. Here, the Silapathon Award winner tells us about his political stance.
What does the show mean?
This particular exhibition came from a project called “Two men look out through the same bars: one sees the mud and one sees the star.” It talks about the current situation in our country, using a series of symbols. It focuses on two polarizing ideas, stars obviously mean something idealistic whereas mud is something undesirable. People perceive things differently and that is the core of our problem. People today tend to forget their own identity and follow others without thinking. I won’t reveal all the metaphors, though, the rest is up to you to explore.
Have you ever left something out for fear of the authorities?
Yes, but I never ditch the idea completely. We artists seem to manage to get away with it most of the time. Since the art scene in Thailand is quite small, we also get censored by society and art critics.
What was the audience’s reaction?
Someone came up to me and told me that they appreciated the fact that I managed to make such a sensitive issue lighter and easier to digest. The exhibition spoke for them in a way. The audience’s smiles at the end of the show are a great sign, because I know that they got my message. I mean, you could easily get into a big fight if you sat and talked about this kind of thing with someone.
Do you think you’ve always been political or you’ve been forced to speak up because of recent events?
I’ve always been outspoken about politics. I often tap into the concept of “equal opportunity,” which seems to be prevalent in every form of politics, whether it is communist, Marxist or democracy. Democracy, to me, is dictatorship of the majority, which leads to capitalism. I came up with Manorah because I want to portray what’s currently happening in our society. It’s still a shock to me what happened back in May and I am still really surprised that no one didn’t try to stop it or prevent it from happening.
What’s the difference between artistic and political expression?
As an artist I see no difference. Art is freedom of expression. Countries in which art flourishes are usually the ones that are open to ideas. I’m not above politics, but if I have something to say, then I’ll say it. That’s an artist’s job. You can predict what our society will be like in the next ten years from the art we see today.
Known for his realistic and gritty portrayal of methamphetamine addicts in an exhibition titled Ya Ba, Olivier Pin-Fat is an England-born, French-Chinese photographer. His exhibition “Bangkok.Aftermath,” will be displayed as part of the joint exhibition Rupture—Cause and Effect, held from Nov 25-Jan 9, 2011 at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center.
How do these pictures provide a new reading of the May events?
The images were taken during the course of one-day only—Friday, May 21. I’ve been living in my adopted city of Bangkok for 17 years now. During Thailand’s recent political “rupture,” I found myself getting increasingly frustrated by the mainstream media’s portrayal of the protests. I felt very strongly that the complexity of what was occurring, and why, was—photographically speaking—being over-simplified and flattened into a monosyllabic aesthetic of iconic stereotypes. The Western media in particular was, and is, guilty of perpetuating and disseminating these almost Biblical archetypes. I felt many photojournalists who covered events for the media unwittingly utilized a more biased, romanticized and sometimes clichéd visual language. Images that were quickly understood yet took a subtle pro-Red Shirt position.
What’s the objective?
The works (31 images from this series) will be shown at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center, alongside two Thai artists, one German, one French and one Sino-British. It’s a cohesive but deeply disturbing and blistered visual stream of consciousness that looks beyond media bias and directly into the dark heart of the matter. It creates a sense of remembrance—lest we forget. We feel that Thai society is somewhat reluctant to face the recent past, and so this is our way to introduce something to and for the Thai general public that will hopefully raise questions to facilitate debate and discussion. It will get a lot of exposure, and this is very important. A sense of collective healing really needs to take place, so history doesn’t endlessly repeat itself, and if we can contribute in any way, through art or through any other means, then we must try.
Do you feel that you’re a political artist?
I think everyone is political in some way or another. It’s human nature. I tend to avoid political discussions that have recently and maddeningly been polarized into these ‘red or yellow’ and ‘there is no other color’ camps. A journalist recently accused me of being staunchly yellow for not being pro-red. If you’re not ‘this’ then it means you’re ‘that.’ I’m not defined by a two-toned color scheme. It can all get very infuriating.
Do we need artists to comment on politics?
It all depends on the artistic commentary being presented, doesn’t it? That can range from the banal to the timeless. It’s all relevant but not all necessarily effective. Look at Picasso’s Guernica in response to the bombing of the Basque country during the Spanish Civil War. Yes, I tend to avoid political commentary as I often find the sophism is self-serving and transparently so. I tend to disbelieve politicians. That said, there have been some great, visionary and impassioned political leaders in history, like Martin Luther King Jr.
Manit Sriwanichpoom, of Pink Man fame, has long criticized Thailand’s entrenched elitism and consumerism. But for him, the Red Shirts were not fighting for a new system.
Are you working on anything as a reaction to the protests?
It’s very difficult to react so soon. I’m in trauma. You have to gradually process all the elements in your consciousness. It’s a loss of direction. Like getting hit by a car.
Do you worry about increased censorship?
People say the climate of censorship is getting stronger. But I think the question is, “What are we doing? What is the purpose of doing that?” If we want to criticize the government, say anything to undermine any side, I think it is too soon. I agree with Abhisit that the government needs reform. But what is happening to the reform committee set up by Abhisit? It’s like a bunch of old people brainstorming—but this shouldn’t be about old men. Everybody should be involved. Thailand has to change, but people in power have to sacrifice and decentralize. We tried in the 1997 and in 2007 constitutions. But decentralization was never implemented.
But how can the conversation take place if everyone isn’t allowed to speak?
We can talk about reform. But accusations will take us nowhere. People died and the government needs to investigate that. Maybe some people were not just killed by the army? What if the Reds killed each other to prompt international intervention? If we still are talking about this we go nowhere. What’s the point of accusing each other. We’re going in circles. I don’t want to talk about this. What interests me is how Abhisit will start reform and how it will happen. I hope that the media can play a key role pushing reform. The Western media just hooked up with this [blame] game. We want real change. I want the media to be part of change, not part of the game.
Are you angry?
I’m annoyed now. I ask: can you tell me something substantial? Not blah blah blah. If you want change tell us what you want. Don’t just tie ribbons at an intersection. You want to change the government? You just change the head. The body is the same. It’s rotten. This is a 150-year old problem. We need reform.
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