No, I’m not trying to drag you into a debate about free speech, the celebrated value that underlines the “Je suis Charlie” movement, which erupted as a tribute to the cartoonists and editorial staff of Charlie Hebdo, who were massacred by three gunmen in Paris on Jan 7. A huge number of people around the world have shown their support by becoming “Charlie”. Hollywood stars such George Clooney and his wife are Charlie. Many of my friends, but not all, are Charlie, too. At the same time, “Je ne suis pas Charlie” has sprung up here and there as well. I believe Charlies and non-Charlies can have lively debates — or get drunk together — because both groups are alike in condemning the use of violence.
Am I going to be Charlie or not? All I can say is free speech is a highly complex subject, especially in a world that’s more interconnected than ever. Not taking sides does not mean I do not have my own views. Indeed, I have my private campaign regarding freedom of speech, and I hereby start a new movement: “Je suis Nattanan.”
Who is Nattanan? I bet many of you have never heard of her. Nattanan Warintarawet is a grade 11 student at Triam Udom Suksa School who has criticised the junta on educational reform, censorship, the Children's Day slogan and the budget for the controversial "12 values" Line stickers.
In short, she doesn’t agree with the junta government on many things. Before we move on, I need to tell you that Nattanan is alive and well. You may wonder why I single out this ordinary, not so popular individual, instead of ranting about other worrying news, such as tycoon Tan Passakornnatee and his salt-filled Christmas in Chiang Mai, or our lovely elephants at Khao Yai National Park. The reason is because I met Nattanan once at a forum on educational reform and had a brief conversation with her. Face-to-face, I found her plain, polite and deeply committed to her cause of defending free speech (needless to say, she is Charlie). I put her in the category of those headstrong people with radical ideas. I do not agree with everything she says, but I always respect those who speak their minds.
Nattanan was in the news again earlier this week, although it was not widely reported. This time she was asked to leave a talk show on Channel 5, an army station, after she was about to ask critical questions of Thienchay Kiranandara, chairman of the coup-appointed National Reform Council (NRC).
According to news reports and her explanation on Facebook, Nattanan was invited to participate on the show with Thienchay. As they were preparing to record the programme, she raised a set of questions for the chairman. How can the NRC eradicate corruption when the way it ascended to power was not democratic? Is achieving power in this way a form of corruption in itself? According to reports, Thienchay politely said that it is better not to cling to certain ideas and to consider the future of the country as the priority. Staff on the show then asked her to leave the room before recording proceeded.
Nattanan is an ordinary person with a different view, and I do not look at this incident as a heroic act. Her questions were strong and critical, but they warranted being asked. Her being shown the door, however, makes me think of our collective fate under this era of dictatorship.
We are required to remain quiet and cooperative. We have to lower our voices or shut up, even if what we say is not wrong.
We might be more like this girl than we realise. I do not talk about freedom of expression, which we must uphold, nor the nerve to speak up. We are just like those who are forced to leave a party if we become too loud and reckless. So we are Nattanan, because we cannot ask questions, whether we like it or not.
Anchalee Kongrut is a feature writer for the Bangkok Post’s Life section.