Over the weekend, a group of Suankularb School students involved in a parade during a traditional football match found themselves in hot water for their thought-provoking political satire.
The parade brought together four prestigious all-boys schools, Bangkok Christian, Thebsirin, Assumption and Suankularb Witthayalai, and kicked off on Saturday.
It is similar to the traditional Chulalongkon University-Thammasat University football match, in that the students themselves or people in the crowd often hold aloft banners putting forth their views on political events of the day.
Ploenpote Atthakor is Editorial Pages Editor, Bangkok Post.
Several times, political messages put up at such sport events, such as this one, spark such a fierce public debate that no one pays much attention to the football result.
At the centre of the debate is a banner which likened Thailand to "kala land", or the land of coconut shell. Another mocked Thailand's futuristic 4.0 ambitions.
It drew protests from some self-proclaimed patriots who keep social media abuzz. Kala is a short form, with bad connotations, of a Thai proverb kob nai kala which refers to an ignorant frog under a coconut shell. Since he mistakes the shell for the world, he wrongly thinks he knows all.
Some of the patriots who reprimanded the young people for speaking ill of Thailand in their banner are alumni of this elite school. Some alleged the banner defamed their prestigious institute, which was established in the reign of King Rama V.
Some readers may not know, but Suankularb is a privileged all-boys school that has bred generations of leaders for both democratic and dictatorial camps, thinkers, political scientists, and famous people in other professions.
This kala land drama reminds me of the fierce reaction of elements of the Buddhist sangha over an award-winning painting, Bhikkhu Sandan Ka, meaning crow-like monks, some 10 years ago.
The painting created an uproar in the clerical community because it portrayed monks in a degrading light. Crows signify greed and sin.
I remember reading news reports about these monks and some devout laymen taking offence with the painter, Anupong Chantorn. They called on Silpakorn University to strip the artist of an award and remove the controversial painting from public display, which was published amid reports about scandals in the monkhood involving sex acts and Buddhist commercialism.
Earlier this year, an emerging young female singer also sparked controversy when she complained out loud that "the country sucks". It's a similar situation with the Suankularb students now.
Some allegations are familiar: that the students show a lack of gratitude for the motherland. One poster went so far as to suggest the students "find new countries to live in". These patriots are angry with the Suankularb students and the young artist for their inability to see good elements in Thai society which mark the country out as better than its neighbours.
Facing strong social pressure, the singer, reduced to tears, was forced to apologise.
All such patriot-critics what to hear is that we are in the Land of Smiles, with a rich culture and ideal religion. No corrupt monks, our bureaucracy is 100% efficient, and state officials are trained to serve the people.
Speaking ill of one's society or country would only tarnish the country's image and that may chase away tourists. The patriots think the students have a duty to show their love to the country.
While the critics stopped short of saying the students should focus on their studies rather than challenging the phuyai (elders or powerful figures in society), I believe many have such a thought in mind. It's their fault if the students cannot see how this country is more than perfect.
So, how perfect is the country? Don't you see, a famous rocker can fetch 180 million baht in just a few days in his bid to raise money for 11 needy hospitals. Thais love charity. The prime minister has urged Thais to sacrifice more, help the rocker fulfil his dreams, and stop making allegations that he is helping prop up an ailing health system.
Thailand is calm and peaceful, thanks to the coup three years ago, the military says. Why make such a fuss? The road to conciliation is solid. Thais love each other. If you don't see that, it's your problem, not the leaders'.
Those speaking bad of the country deserve chastisement. What a non-Thai way of thinking! No, really, believe me, we are not in kala land.
