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Home » Reader question » Reader question: Why so little attention to protests in Thailand?
Dear readers,
Strange that there is so much news about Belarus at the moment, while the same is happening in Thailand. Demonstrations for democracy.
What would be the reason? Interests far away?
Regards,
Max
Unrest in Thailand is of little concern to Europe.
The situation in Belarus could degenerate into unrest, perhaps even armed conflicts on the border of Europe.
But I also read articles in the Telegraaf about the unrest in Thailand.
The New York Times had this article on the Thai situation:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/16/world/asia/thailand-protests-democracy-monarchy.html
Bankok Post pays more than enough attention to it, also through spicy opinions from third parties.
The Bangkok Post is rather reserved, even more so than the conservative Nation. Last week they called a protest 'subversive' or (state) undermining, the points of the demonstrators do not really come out and in many opinions they write that peace must be preserved (Bangkok editorial). Veera's pieces have no spice at all, Atiya's are mostly passable to good.
For a little more spice, you are better off with Khaosod, Prachatai English (where the 10-point plan for monarchy reform really is included in the constitution), Thisrupt or Thai Enquerer. Internationally, Reuters, among others, had a few solid reports.
Things remain a bit meager in the Dutch media. Possibly because the unrest does not follow elections shortly after, the Thai elections appeared to be 'democratic', no people have been clubbed yet and Thailand is not just around the corner.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1969379/police-are-defying-govt
Yes, this opinion of Atiya may be there, clear and ready…https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1970163/student-protests-herald-winds-of-change
Ls,
The Nrc also has a good article in today's edition.
Gr Rob
in the NRC there are more articles about the unrest in Thailand.
see link
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/08/17/protest-tegen-rama-x-zwelt-aan-a4009056
First of all: in the evening around 19:00 PM in various Dutch media. even afterwards.
2) Belarus is very close with much greater influence on NL, Europe, and even the USA + Canada, much heavier fraud and oppression than to be expected in Thailand, much and much bigger citizen protest than those "few" in Thailand.
I'm trying to bring it to your attention via FB. Especially the pieces that I receive from various groups in Isaan.
You can also currently compare the 2 situations. In Belarus we are just coming out of massive protests following “elections.” This protest is punished much more harshly and with torture on a large scale. This does not happen on this scale in Thailand.
Moreover, this happens at the EU back door, which could have consequences for East-West relations in Europe. The further away from the bed, the less interest this gives to the average citizen, politicians and the media. Of course this does not mean that this is unimportant; certainly not locally or for the region.
News is determined by editors' choices and they often have the perverse feeling that it is only topical when a conflict gets out of hand.
NRC makes an attempt to interpret it and let's hope that no violence is staged. For the time being it seems to be a police matter or the soft hand and let's respect it as a democracy by being allowed to protest and therefore raise the matter. I would be very disappointed if they would apply a heavy hand because the opposition base is too small for that.
I don't know Belarus, but in Thailand there is at least 97% total freedom and many can deal with that.
97% totally free is rather optimistic when you know what legal restrictions there are or informal pressures and self-censorship. Freedom cannot really be expressed in percentages, I think, but there are those who try. According to Freedom House, Thailand is 32/100 (32%) free: politically 6/40 and socially 26/60.
https://freedomhouse.org/country/thailand/freedom-world/2020
Press freedom is at stake:
https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/04/21/thailand-falls-behind-myanmar-in-2020-press-freedom-index/
This lack of freedom manifests itself, among other things, through authorities in plain clothes or uniforms such as teachers, officers and police who warn people to keep their mouths closed or invite them for a (less good) conversation, or, for example, a military vehicle that suddenly drives by regularly. You notice that the media censor themselves, some more (Bangkok Post) than others (Prachatai).
Take, among other things: https://www.thaienquirer.com/16383/amnesty-international-calls-on-thai-government-to-stop-intimidating-and-arbitrarily-arresting-protesters/
En https://prachatai.com/english/node/8507
Thai media under pressure, the protests do get attention such as atmosphere description and (sometimes) the three main points that the youth has. However, the Thai mainstream media hardly dares to pay attention when the monarchy is a topic of conversation
Journalists leave that out or interrupt their live out thing. However, this news is circulating on social media. According to the Thai Enquirer.
https://www.thaienquirer.com/17181/thailands-traditional-media-faces-new-challenges-as-protests-touch-on-taboo-topics/
Foreign press (Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, …) can go a little further in that regard. To follow the Thai current affairs properly, you are therefore bound to Thai and foreign journalists and social media (fact checking can sometimes be a thing with the latter).