BANGKOK — In a move that is being cautiously welcomed by human rights groups and pro-democracy advocates, the Council for National Security announced today the full restoration of the legal use of irony in the Kingdom of Thailand.
In a statement televised nationwide on all TV channels, former CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin said that effective immediately, all citizens could now “say things which have a stated meaning which is opposite or different from the intended meaning.”
The statement continued to explicitly allow the use of sarcasm, sustained satire, conceit, and “if appropriate, the nearly-undetectable use of wry understatement.”
The suspension of the Literary Devices Control Act (LDCA), enacted in 2002 by then-Culture Minister Purachai Piumsombun is widely seen as another strike against the administration of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was reputedly hostile to any form of non-literal information and non-linear thought. However, the LDCA was also invoked on numerous occasions since the September 2006 coup by the CNS-controlled Ministry of Information and Communications Technology as justification for blocking several websites which it “didn’t get.” Its suspension, therefore, appears to be part of a larger campaign of dismantling martial law ahead of the upcoming election.
Questioned by reporters in front of his office, Prime Minister Suyarud Chulanont downplayed the significance of the announcement. “We Thais are still very literal people,” he said. “We expect our children to be respectful, our leaders to be billionaires, and our comedies to make fun of fat girls and katoeys. That’s not going to change.”
International reaction to the statement was swift and mostly positive. “The freedom to use irony is a fundamental right of free expression,” said Abigail Neustadt of Human Rights Watch. “We are encouraged by this development and hope it is part of a progressive and systematic restoration of democracy and, eventually, remotely sophisticated humor in Thailand.”
Franklin DeLay of Amnesty International was more qualified in his response, saying “It’s a start, for sure. But until the junta releases all comedians, satirists, and writers from its jails who have been unfairly incarcerated, it’s just words.”
Locally, the Thai press was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. “It’s a great day for Thai journalism,” said Suwitcha Piarad, managing editor of Manager Daily, which immediately announced plans to expand its “Poodjadkuan” page, which has for years boldly satirized Thai politics in full flaunt of the LDCA.
Commentary by representatives of Thailand’s artistic community was also upbeat. “It’s a good sign for Thai art,” said Wisit Sasanatieng, director of several irony-laced Thai films including “Fah Talai Jone” and “Mah Nakorn.” “Irony is a crucial part of the artistic toolbox.”
Fellow director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, whose baffling, non-linear movies include “Tropical Malady” and “Blissfully Yours” also expressed support, saying “Yes. This is meaningful.” He also added that “My films are not ironic.” It was uncertain if he was speaking ironically.
In addition to the press and the arts, everyday life in Thailand is also expected to benefit from the new freedoms. Already a host of new websites, representing contrasting political views, have appeared online referring to their respective opposition’s actions and policies in sardonically ironic terms. For the less computer-savvy older generation, it will no longer be a prosecutable offense to refer to the family-member beneficiaries of cronyism and corruption in government and business as “lucky.”
Some social critics are wary of the longer-term effects of opening up Thailand to myriad forms of irony. But in the meantime, editors like Suwitcha are more focused on the present opportunities. “We have months of good material stored up, satirizing every aspect of Thai politics, culture, and arts. Seriously, this stuff practically writes itself.”
