A mind dirtier than a pigsty

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COMMENTARY

Published: 10/11/2011 at 02:54 AM
Newspaper section: News

Red, yellow or neutral, women in Thailand's colour-coded politics must have similarly felt their blood boiling at the sexist attack on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

That was what I thought when I read the hateful, below-the-belt attack on our embattled premier by an anti-Thaksin businessman, Akeyuth Anchanbutr.

This is what he wrote on his Facebook account, which has stirred much controversy in the social media world:

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About the author

: Writer: Sanitsuda Ekachai; Position: Assistant Editor

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raimund
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Discussion 51 : 15/11/2011 at 05:10 PM51
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D49 So you go to pro-yellow pro-Dem forums? What are they saying about UDD women? Ever been at a pro-Red, pro UDD forum? What are they saying about the opponent women? Just curious.
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jareb
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Discussion 50 : 15/11/2011 at 07:31 AM50
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I don't know much about Mr. Anchanbutr, but by reading his words I now understand a bit about how he thinks. Squeaky wheels get the grease, of course, but we only get to decide between politicians, businessmen we vote for with our feet.

I think supporting free speech is about allowing people to show their true colours. Let people say what they want to let us know what kind of people they are. Elections are about identifying the good from the bad and the ugly and voting accordingly.

The more we know about the people we vote for, the better the government becomes, don't you think?

...of course we get the government we deserve...
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johninbkk
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Discussion 49 : 13/11/2011 at 12:39 AM49
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Mr A is not an exception. Go to any pro-yellow pro-Dem (Thai language) forum and you'll see very negative sexist terminology used to describe women from the UDD camp. What Mr A said was relatively polite, in comparison. To me, it's a reflection of their intelligence, pathological hatred, and twisted political ideology.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 48 : 12/11/2011 at 11:57 AM48
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To the author: Mr A is not an exception. Go to any pro-yellow pro-Dem (Thai language) forum and you'll see very negative sexist terminology used to describe women from the UDD camp. What Mr A said was relatively polite, in comparison. To me, it's a reflection of their intelligence, pathological hatred, and twisted political ideology.
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englishbob
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Discussion 47 : 11/11/2011 at 05:03 PM47
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@Disc 43 Ricefield Radio
Just in case you were not aware, a person is entitled to his opinion no matter how misguided. A hate speech is one which encourage violence rather than simply demeans. There were plenty of violence-inducing hate speeches from Ratchaprasong last year and you (in particular) didn't seem to have any problem with them.

Just to clarify, Mr Akeyuth's comments are racist and sexist (not xenophobic). His comments are demeaning to women and Mon-Khmers. Expressing an opinion is not illegal - just look at our forum! That's the problem with free speech, sometimes you hear stuff you don't like... Bad luck!

And there are plenty of posters on here who make such generalisations about business owners, rich people, Sino-Thais, farangs etc etc And those SAME people are now incensed because someone has posted his own opinion on a different website.
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spiceman
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Discussion 46 : 11/11/2011 at 05:43 AM46
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If we care about "Free Speech" at all, there is no such thing as "Hate Speech." However, there are protected and unprotected speech, and every freedom-loving societies value and protect "Free Speech." So, it is perfectly OK, for this guy to express his personal opinion, which is not directed toward any specific person, but in general, regarding this particular issue. But what is not OK, if he yells "Fire" in a crowded movie theater, knowing full well that there is no fire. Such speech is not protected and must be prosecuted because it is aimed to cause panic, injuries, and even deaths.

So, let me ask all of you here whether there is any "Fire" here? If what he said is true, yes, we have a "Fire," my next question is what do we do about it? Should we continue to pretend there is no "Fire," while it is burning and spreading? Or should we try to put it out, but with what?
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ronald
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Discussion 45 : 11/11/2011 at 01:35 AM45
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Prompted by Disc:1, if this guy created a pyramid scheme in the 80's, was he convicted? Or did he,because of his wealth & influence, get away with it? Trouble with Thailand is not "Elite" & "Poor" difference, it is "Rich & Poor". What happened to the Benz youth from a rich family, who mowed down people at the bus stop? Did he serve his 10 years? And the son of possible future PM, who did not get convicted of the Pub murder. Is he now a MP or is it his brother? There are red & yellow shirt supporters pulling strings that are not "Elite or Poor", but are rich & untouchable by laws. Involved not for their Country or Countrymen, but to get richer.
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elviajero
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Discussion 44 : 10/11/2011 at 10:55 PM44
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This is an outrageous and offensive slur. However, Akeyuth Anchanbutr is irrelevant and his comments should be considered the same. Who cares what he thinks!

Unfortunately if you want democracy and freedom of speech one person’s opinion of another’s best suited profession is par for the course, and publicising it is counterproductive. The best way to deal with men like this is to ignore them!

And anyway, who is more stupid, the man that pays for sex or the girl that takes his money!!!
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ricefield
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Discussion 43 : 10/11/2011 at 10:39 PM43
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Disc 40 - Bob there is a difference between hate speech and free speech. The gentleman's views are clearly hate related against women and Northern woman in particular.

Just in case you are not aware. A hate speech is any communication that disparages a person or a group on the basis of some characteristic such as race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, or other characteristic.
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soltair
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Discussion 42 : 10/11/2011 at 09:41 PM42
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My dear Sanitsuda Ekachai, another misser from your pen. I vaguely remember your comment years ago about all farangs eating steaks bla bla and us poor Thais bla bla. You are as guilty as all others in accusing people from exercising free speech on their own Facebook page in this case. A complete and utter double standard is practiced by 99% of us so called Buddhists. Remember the 8 noble truths? I don't believe you were forced to read this page now did you. The guy could have used more eloquent language but the message is still the same. The truth hurts so much for some. Of course there are four language speaking woman anywhere whats the point. The reality is not discuss able or else we get the Sanisudas all over us. She who is without sins throw the first stone..
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