absolutelyBangkok archive · Being farang
Originally published Nov. 17, 2009
They thought no one on the outside world will ever hear those torrents of hatred, but then again, they’re actually no torrents of hatred but… utterances of devotion and pride. Affirmations of pure love and dedication till death. Judge for yourself. This is scary stuff not only for outsiders.
Because this is real. Setting: At the PAD’s Sanam Luang rally on Sunday, Nov. 15. Cause: The restoration of the Thai nation’s dignity by assuring the Thai people’s condemnation of traitors Thaksin and Hun Sen “with heartfelt respect and peace.”
That’s according to the beautifully titled press release The Thai People’s Declaration to the World. On the stage though you heard contemporary fascism in action that would have put Hitler to shame, calling for the annihilation of unworthy “non-humans.” And all perfectly legal, protected by governmental blessing.
You wonder why there was only one grenade. Luckily nobody was seriously hurt. Who it was? As with the failed Sondhi assassination, we’ll probably never know. But Bangkok Pundit gives a hint. There is so much hatred around here, nothing shall surprise. Anyone’s willing to do anything.
Hey, don’t accuse me of instigating, am just the messenger: The English-language website of Prachatai has an unemotional roundup of what was said. Emailed a reader: “The speeches seem so absurd and extreme, it could almost be a Not the Nation parody.” Couldn’t agree more. Email goes on:
“A lot of racism against Khmer as well (ironic that Newin is an ethnic Khmer) and calls for extreme violence against opponents… It all seems to retrograde, rightwing and ersatz fascist, it’s is hard to believe that normal intelligent people (like me, thank you) were once following Mr. Sondhi hither and yon.”
Here some key excerpts of Fierce PAD Nationalism:
Prasert Lertyaso called for the beheading of Hun Sen, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Thaksin Shinawatra, alluding to an old Thai saying of shedding blood to wash royal feet.
General Preecha Iamsuphan (…) said that he heard a government spokesperson say on radio that Jakrapob Penkair had smuggled weapons across the northeastern Thai border to start a revolt.
The retired general said the Thai army had fought those “vulgar Cambodians” at the Aranyaprathet border, and he himself had attacked them with bombs. He would not mind if there was another war. If the army does not fight, he will fight with his bare hands.
Finally Kim Il Sondhi:
Sondhi said that in the previous week he had had lunch with the ambassador of an unnamed European country. He explained Thailand’s present political situation to the diplomat through the allegory of an ancient Siamese king and his corrupt prime minister. The prime minister served the king for six years, and embezzled the royal treasury. The king confiscated his wealth and sent him into exile, as a light punishment.
The prime minister gave some of his embezzled money to his minions in Siam to stir up agitation in the country. He even caused rifts among members of the royal family. He eventually sought help from the Khmer king.
Sondhi said he asked the ambassador what he thought should be done. The ambassador told him that there would be no other choice than to finish him off once and for all, and the king of Siam had to wage a war and conquer the Khmer kingdom.
This, my friends, is current Thailand.
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