The government's actions towards the rescued Chiang Rai football team makes it appear confused and cold, not to mention exploitative. This may seem ironic to some, since the government's stated aim was to protect the 12 Wild Boars and their families, along with coach Ekapol Chanthawong. In fact, almost everything ministers and senior officials have done in the days since the rescue succeeded on July 10 has been poorly planned and executed.
In effect, while pleading that it is protecting the team and their families, government officials are the only outsiders to have done exactly that which they are warning the media and entrepreneurs against. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, the cabinet's "legal expert," has taken the lead role in banning contact and pledging trouble for any media members who even attempt to approach the boys' families. This appears less kind, however, when it is noted that it was the government which subjected the Wild Boars and Coach Ek to a question and answer session on national TV.
The public participated and no concerns were raised after the July 18 television appearance. The boys came across as the bright young people they undoubtedly are. But the point is the government exploited the moment, controlled the actions of the Wild Boars and then reaped the benefits of the goodwill and cheerful responses provided by the rescued boys. Ministers appeared in the spotlight alongside the "cave boys" even though no minister played any direct role in the rescue.
Two days later, and the government was blasting enterprising journalists who did exactly what the government had done. An Australian Broadcasting Corp crew was singled out for interviewing 11-year-old Chanin "Titan" Vibulrungruang, the youngest of the rescued team. That was when the government decided to go all out, and issued bans on contacting the players, their families or anyone connected with them. According to Mr Wissanu's attempt at intimidation, "That will not be a favourable scenario".
Officials have refused to give exact details but, by all appearances, the government has failed the Wild Boars' families and Coach Ek. It seems that while the government was claiming to be protecting the boys and their families, it has done the opposite. The dangers of sudden fame descending upon people in situations like this are well known. This message seems not to have been passed on to those involved in Chiang Rai.
Instead of helping the Wild Boars understand this, Mr Wissanu and, reportedly, the Minister of Culture Vira Rojpojchanarat have effectively claimed the intellectual property rights to the story. In fact, the government has no more -- and no less -- right to make fictional films or soap operas about the rescue than anyone else. But it certainly has no right at all to access, interview or use information from the boys unless it is either freely given by them, or paid for.
If the government were truly acting to protect the well-being of the rescued Wild Boars, it would have acted far differently. It would have gone to great lengths to explain to the families both the advantages and dangers of helping movie and documentary makers, TV producers and book authors.
If the government really cared, the Wild Boars would have had lawyers and financial managers provided to them. Such men, women and "talent agencies" would already be working 100% in the interest of the cave boys -- including protecting them from potentially avaricious and self-serving government members eager to share the fame and possible fortune.
The government must stop its threats to media. After Saturday, when the team members return home from the monastery, it should not continue to cocoon them. It is up to the boys and their families if they wish to share their stories and for what reward. The government must drop all claims to the intellectual property of the team's rescue.
