Hi-so hypocrites as shameless as immoral low-so entertainers

Ironically, the disapproval of Ja Turbo among the Thai upper class has played a major part in boosting her popularity even further. One single event that shot Ja Turbo to instantaneous fame was when she appeared on a talk show hosted by the self-appointed representative of the upper class, Woody Militachinda, on September 4.
The interview was intensely discomforting. Woody acted as a typical stuck up Thai hi-so who proclaimed himself to be the defender of Thai morality. The way Woody communicated with Ja Turbo, the way he posed his questions and how he responded to her answers, all contained highly unpleasant value judgements on the part of the host. The show succeeded in unveiling a dark reality in Thai society: there remains an impenetrable barricade when it comes to “class”. This barricade is responsible for the current crisis facing the country today.
Woody exercised his “class superiority” and his supposed better upbringing in an attempt to disgrace Ja Turbo, who was a guest on his show. He asked insulting questions and made offensive remarks about her. These are some of Woody’s statements: “How can a song like this exist in this society?” “Is there really this type of girl, like you, in our society?” “Didn’t you feel ashamed when you lifted your legs in the air?” “Is your act some kind of low-class art?” “Are there parents out there who would tolerate daughters like yourself?” “Have you ever thought for a moment that you are committing something so immoral?” “Do you consider yourself a decent entertainer?”
Woody’s questions may have been harsh. But his attitude towards Ja Turbo was even more callous. It seemed that he didn’t even want to breathe the same air as her let alone sit in the same room with her. He grilled her in front of Thai viewers, believing that his supercilious attitude would earn him an even higher place in a society where morality and ethics are seemingly the exclusive assets of the phu dee, or those of a “higher class”.
I see a different side of Woody, however. He is at best a cowardly Thai snob. Seriously, is Ja Turbo the first and worst Thai girl who supposedly acted indecently in public? In reality, there are plenty of so-called Thai phu dee ladies who sometimes act like “whores”, too. They pose nude and touch their private parts fondly. Some record their own sex romps or their kinky parties. These pictures and video clips are deliberately released to the public. While they claim that they are custodians of Thai decency, they themselves are the ones who breach the sacred world of “Thainess”.
Why would Woody not invite those pretentious phu dee ladies to his show and interrogate them? Why would Woody, a supposedly highly moral person, allow those hi-so ladies to get away with disparaging the image of Thainess? Or is Woody a part of such a hollow “high society”, and thus obliged to protect the nobility of its members even when they behave so badly? Why does Thai society at large become tolerant when those with status and power do immoral things? Is this about the persistence of double standards?
Somsak Onsri, CEO of Lok Klangkuen, who also appeared on Woody’s talk show that night, joined the host’s attempt to reinvent a certain image and persona of the Thai nation. He said, “Culture like this [Ja Turbo’s lewd dance act] is unwanted in Siam. This is not Thai culture.” Yet, Somsak refused to explain what the real Thai culture is. To interpret his comments, it seems that there is something moral and ethical about Thai culture – something that is so alien to Ja Turbo.
But if Thailand is the land of morality, as depicted by Woody and Somsak, why is our local sex industry so vibrant? Why have the Thai authorities not closed down so many brothels in Bangkok’s red-light districts? Is this because such businesses have rendered enormous benefits to the rich and powerful in the upper class?
Woody has invited a number of seemingly respectable personalities to his show in the past. At some points, he goes over the top to reiterate that he is one among them. For him to invite Ja Turbo, who is clearly living in a different environment from him, and brutally attack her “humanness”, he is nothing but a loyal pet of the condescending elitist class.

Pavin Chachavalpongpun is a fellow at Singapore’s Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Follow Pavin at www.facebook.com/pavinchachavalpongpun.