Thailand's long and funny coup

Updated

Sunday will mark two years since Thailand's military overthrew the elected government, ending violent political protests. With the army cracking down hard on any dissent, some activists and commentators have used humour to get their message across.

Tom Yum Goong waterboarding

Bangkok-based French cartoonist Stephane Peray (a.k.a Stephff) has drawn some searing political satire despite the threat of his visa being revoked. This cartoon features outspoken journalist [Khun] Pravit Rojanaphruk, who has been invited by the army for several sessions of "attitude adjustment".

Aching testicles

Human rights lawyer Anon Nampha has made several music videos poking fun at life under military rule. In this one, he and his activist friends sing about the painful experience of reading the proposed new Constitution that would see a 250-member appointed Senate oversee the elected Government.

Heartache! The constitution! The constitution!

Read it and lie down with aching testicles!

Want to die! And it's so regrettable!

And it's so regrettable because [we] still didn't get anything!!!

[Put] pressure, so they return power to the people.

[We are] tired of listening to the soap opera military, the old regime.

[We] don't want to know! No good! Don't want!

Returning Happiness

Every Friday, Thailand Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha gives an hour-long televised address to the nation entitled 'Returning Happiness'. His mood swings and confrontational style have spawned some colourful quotes.

Sandwich protest

Soon after the coup, the junta banned many forms of peaceful protest. In response, campaigners declared picnics a form of passive resistance. Student activist 'Champ' is seen here eating a sandwich in public, while reading George Orwell's 1984 and listening to the French national anthem. Shortly after this photo was taken, he was detained by police.

In fact…

There are quite a few activities outlawed now in Thailand. Local media outlet Prachatai compiled this useful guide to staying on the right side of the military government.

Topics: world-politics, activism-and-lobbying, government-and-politics, thailand, asia

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