Let students vent 'steam of discontent' to avoid violence

On the surface, this was just another parade by student activists featuring paper-mache caricatures lampooning Thai politics. But in essence, the funny figures in the parade were aimed at sending some messages to the people in power.

There were attempts to prevent some of the messages from being spread. Police and military officers shut the gate of the venue, Supachalasai National Stadium, in order to screen the banners to be displayed during the parade. Banners containing messages considered offensive by the authorities were not allowed to enter the stadium.

The student activists, nevertheless, managed to smuggle into the stadium many of the banners and paper-mache figures that could be considered offensive by the authorities. It seemed the more pressure that was put on them, the more opposition they would offer in response. Finally, many political messages were spread during the parade, the content of which was widely reported in the media. The outcome pointed to the fact that the students had not completely submitted to the ruling junta, and that is a positive sign for society.

In fact, it is not only inside the stadium that such developments have taken place. Similar shows of defiance are appearing in many academic institutions throughout the country. University students have expressed their opposition to the current regime although they are doing it in a discreet way in order to avoid being targeted. Many rely on different forms of art and cultural performances to send their messages to the audience, with different degrees of intensity – from parody and satire to criticism and censure.

Thanks to social media and the Internet, the student activists’ messages are no longer confined to the perimeter of their university walls. Their works of art and performances criticising the people in power can be viewed easily through social media and YouTube video-sharing websites.

Their parents and guardians certainly will feel comfortable about the students’ choice of methods to protest against the people in power. There is only a slim chance that they will opt for violent opposition in the near future. This less obvious form of protest allows student activists to let off some of the “steam of discontent”, which is unlikely to burst out as long as the pressure against them is not increased. 

The uncomfortable peace will continue until the next general election, unless the people in power make it clear they want to stay on in power.

The National Council for Peace and Order should be well aware of this situation. It has offered no reaction to the junta and its leaders being satirised during Saturday’s parade. They seem to realise that it is better to leave some opening for the students to let off steam, in order to avoid a violent explosion.

What the government should be concerned about is the anger vented by some of its supporters against the student activists. Those people have come up with a rhetoric of hatred that could trigger violence against students critical of the government.