Chai draws a fine line

A towering figure in comic journalism, Chai Rachawat has for decades amused readers with the wit and jabbing satire of the endearing characters in the Phuyai Ma Kab Thung Ma Mern cartoon in the mass circulation Thai Rath daily. The cartoonist's recent "evil woman" remark on his Facebook page has upset Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who has filed a defamation lawsuit against him. In an exclusive interview with the Bangkok Post, Chai Rachawat, whose real name is Somchai Katanyutanan, speaks for the first time since the controversy broke. He stands by his remarks and says he has no regrets.

Chai Rachawat draws the main characters, Ai Joy and Phuyai Ma, in the famed political cartoon series, Phuyai Ma Kab Thung Ma Mern, in the Thai Rath newspaper. NITIKORN KRAIVIXIEN

Firstly, many people read my posts. I do not often post messages on Facebook. I do it once in a while when something touches me. Secondly, my remarks satisfy people, so they are shared [online] by a lot of people. Normally my posts receive a few hundred "likes" but this time, tens of thousands shared it.

The prime minister's speech overseas touched a raw nerve with many. They feel that the facts about democracy in Thailand were distorted with the intention of whitewashing the brother and his family. People cannot accept this. When my remark was posted, it struck a chord with a lot of people and was shared quite extensively. So some people were caught off guard and decided they should do something to shut me up.

With the "evil woman" statement, what were you trying to tell people?

It was to imply that the prime minister's speech was tantamount to selling the nation. I do not mean selling the national interest. It was more to the effect of making Thai people lose face. It is like losing face from verbal blunders. Speaking negatively about one's own country is like betraying the nation. It makes foreigners misunderstand Thailand. A leader does not speak about personal matters or a political conflict in public because it is about manners and principles. The prime minister made two mistakes: saying something that was out of place and lying.

What do you make of the allegations that you insulted womanhood and resorted to profane language?

Generally, people who read my posts will understand the meaning. I think those who protest against me are programmed to think that I insult prostitutes and females. Is there anything in what I posted which offended the female gender? What I meant was prostitutes are not evil because they sell themselves, not the nation. However, a woman who sells the nation is evil. I did not label the prime minister as a prostitute. I am surprised the banners put up against me allege that I insult women. Why do they not defend the prime minister by saying she has not sold the nation? But they say that the prime minister is not a prostitute. I am surprised. They intend to pressure me and discredit me because I have made critical political comments, especially about the Pheu Thai Party. I think the words I used may have been too harsh but harsh words and rude words are different.

The leading cartoonist appears relaxed although he has found himself in hot water over his ‘evil woman’ remark posted on his Facebook page. NAUVARAT SUKSAMRAN

How has your life changed since the controversial post and now that you've been served with a lawsuit?

I am nomadic now. I cannot go home because it is surrounded by the red-shirt community. Friends have told me to watch my back. Many people have given me moral support and offered to raise funds for my legal defence [against defamation]. Someone offered accommodation for my safety. I'm grateful for their kindness. In return for their kindness, I will not waver in my stand. To those who hold grudges [against me], the explosion at the Thai Rath office troubles my colleagues. There are threats and complaint letters urging the Thai Rath management to dismiss or sack me. I have been through a lot. I stand firm and have confidence about what I say and do. I don't fear threats. Thai Rath has nothing to do with the conflict. I have not used my work [cartoons] in Thai Rath to explain my remark. It's an expression of my personal opinion.

Do you write messages regularly on your Facebook page?

I've been using Facebook for about two years. At first I was not interested in it. I normally send and read emails and news on the internet. But two years ago, my drawings were put up for auction to raise funds for the Chaipattana Foundation. Lecturers at Silpakorn University posted my drawings on Facebook and many people made comments about them. There was feedback coming in and so I turned to Facebook. I gained some useful political information through it and I've used it regularly since. Sometimes my perspective is narrow. I use others' views and combine them with mine to draw cartoons. I have noticed that Facebook can gauge the sentiment of society on current affairs such as corruption and rising oil prices.

Have you ever been sued in your long career as a political cartoonist?

This is the first time. It is said political cartoons are the art of protest. They are to check the government's performance. No one reads political cartoons that are flattery. It is the nature of political cartoons to express silent protest and satire.

Is it different drawing political cartoons today and in the past?

During the era of dictatorship, political cartoons were clearly against it. It was risky at that time but it was not as difficult as it is today. In the past, it was dangerous but I felt warm because I had many supporters. People and the media were with me. I was at risk but had many friends around. Today, society is divided into circles. It can be daunting to draw cartoons. I maintain my principles but when I look around, some friends are turning their backs on each other. Even reporters in the same publishing house are divided. It's like a cult. At Thai Rath, I take precautions with my cartoons so as not to widen rifts in society. But on my Facebook page, which is a personal space, I'm free to speak my mind. I talk with friends. It is like a conversation with people who share common views.

Looking at what's going on in this country, what should the way out be?

It is difficult. People must be educated a lot. Many people are upset. The feedback to my message this time showed that many people are under pressure and they have no one to depend on. They have neither a leader nor anyone who can speak for them. Yet I think crises create heroes. Damage to the country will escalate to the point where people cannot tolerate it any longer and there will be someone who will lead people to a change.

On the lighter side, can you tell us how the Phuyai Ma cartoon came about?

The inspiration came from Ajarn Puey Ungpakorn [the former Thammasat University rector, hailed as incorruptible] who was frustrated with the situation in the country at the time. He wrote, with the pen name Khem Yenying, a fictional story that took a poke at Thailand and the state it was in. In the story, a village head was taken to task for his unsound administration. Everyone knew the references made were to Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn.

Now, the Thung Ma Mern village in my cartoon series is a typical Thai name and the Phuyai Ma, who is the village head, has a similarly typically Thai sounding name. He represents the administrator while Ai Joy is the ordinary rank and file of the village who likes to argue with the administrator.

There's also the Thao Yoy and Thao Uan as well as the Sarn Phra Phum (spirit house). Thao Yoy is the representation of an intellectual and carries a newspaper with him all the time. Thao Uan, on the other hand, reflects the role of an economic barometer of the country.

And Sarn Phra Phum is inspired by a character in the Phai Daeng novel authored by [the late former premier and famed novelist] MR Kukrit Pramoj. The Phai Daeng character is the speaking principal Buddha image who preaches philosophy. Mine's more on the humorous side.

Pens, protests and persecution

Somchai Katanyutanan, 72, was born in Ubon Ratchathani, the home province of many political activists. He took an interest in politics in his childhood and regularly visited the Thung Sri Muang ground in the province to listen to political speeches.

He studied at Benchama Maharat secondary school in Ubon Ratchathani before enrolling at the Bangkok Business College in Bangkok because he wanted to work at a bank.

After graduating, he worked for Bangkok Bank for nearly 10 years during which time he started drawing political cartoons.

"At school, a teacher assigned students to experiment with a business plan. I named my mock company Lom Look Khluk Khlan [stumbling] and the teacher scolded at me.

"When I worked at the bank, I found out I did not like to work with numbers. I worked at the bank for nine years and drew cartoons from time to time," Somchai said.

He also worked in the art department of sports magazine The Game. After the Oct 6, 1976 uprising, he started drawing cartoons for weekly political newspapers, Thong Chai and Maharat.

After the uprising, he fled persecution by authorities to the United States where he spent two years. After returning to Thailand, he launched his famous Phuyai Mai Kab Thung Ma Mern political cartoon which was first published in the Daily News newspaper before switching to Thai Rath.

He has won awards from many institutes for being an outstanding member of the press. He has also drawn illustrations for books by His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and draws pictures for charity auctions.