PAD protests 'political culture'

Last Saturday, a group of PAD supporters in Sing Buri launched a verbal public attack against film star Sornram Theppitak during his visit to the province.

The group was disappointed with Sornram's political views regarding the PAD's movement.

Sornram earlier told the press he did not join the PAD's rally because he did not want His Majesty the King to have any sleepless nights.

PAD supporters managed to embarrass Sornram after hearing the actor would show up in Sing Buri. The group shouted abuse at him in public.

Political scientist Chaiyan Chaiyaporn yesterday called the action a "social sanction" and said it might be difficult for most public figures to avoid such confrontations.

"Shouting [abusive words at public figures] is a kind of social sanction. It's a democratic culture. It's not a physical attack. But if you [who was shouted at] don't like it, you can go report it to the police," he said.

Shouting abuse to express disapproval of someone is better than doing nothing, he said. Most democracies have adopted this kind of political expression, but only dictators cannot take it. However, Thai society could be misled by this kind of political expression.

"Without a public process that scrutinises such actions, Thai politics could be shaped into something different, and people will think such actions are permissible," said Dr Komatra Chuengsatiansup, a physician-cum-anthropologist.

Political expression does not mean anyone or any group can go shouting abuse at politicians, ministers or public figures anywhere, he said. "Abusive shouting is not a way of people politics, but rather an emotional expression that shows the underdevelopment of the politics of symbols," he said.

There is no doubt such an abusive campaign will lead society to encounter violence, he said.