Last week, exiled Thai activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, who was living in Phnom Penh was reportedly abducted. In 2014, the 37-year-old Thai political refugee had refused a military summons and in 2017, he was accused of violating the Computer Crimes Act. In an interview with the press, Maj Gen Burin Thongprapai said Wanchalearm wasn't facing lese-majeste charges. Regardless, news of his abduction has caused an uproar on social media. Most people (on Twitter) think that someone who has a different opinion than the junta government should not be made to disappear. Yet, some people also commented that there was no evidence to prove that the state was involved in his abduction while others went as far as to believe the abduction was fake news.
The supporters of #SaveWanchalearm are looking towards celebrities to make their voices heard. Celebrities including singer Cutto from the duo Lipta and game caster Ake Heartrocker have been hassled on social media to speak out about this issue. Actress Praya Lundberg has been attacked the most because she is a Goodwill Ambassador at the UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency.
Praya responded to criticism about her role as UNHCR Thailand ambassador by posting: "I promote peace and non-political agendas. This is highly political. I have been clear in the past few years my work is humanitarian. I'm not an activist. It's not that I don't care. This is beyond what I can do." Then, she asked people to send emails to UNHCR Thailand about this issue.
Besides Praya, members of the all-girl band BNK48 have also been attacked by Thai netizens as well. However, the singers responded to this matter differently. On June 6, Jennis Oprasert posted on Facebook that she hadn't said anything yet because she didn't understand the issue clearly and people around her told her to not take action because it could turn into drama, a ban or work suspension. Jennis said she had been judged for being against Wanchalearm because she had remained silent. She questioned if staying silent meant taking the opposing side. On the same day, another BNK48 member, Faii Sumitra, posted on Facebook: "No one deserves to die just because they have different opinions."
Unlike celebrities, Maria Poonlertlarp, Miss Universe Thailand 2017 addressed the #SaveWanchalearm" campaign clearly on her Instagram. She posted: "Many exiled Thais have disappeared and have been later found dead. What kind of place are we living in when we cannot simply voice our opinion? Life is diverse and so are opinions."
All lives matter. As a human being, Wanchalearm's life is important just like others. It is understandable that some people want celebrities to speak out for this missing person because they can raise awareness about the issue, however, they should have a choice whether they want to speak up or not. Being silent doesn't mean ignorance or taking the opposing side. If you look at comments on social media from these celebrities, you will see they have been attacked by people who have different opinions. Junta supporters criticised Maria severely whereas Wanchalearm's supporters went after Jennis. She was right. "Any actions can turn into drama."
However, as UNHCR's Goodwill Ambassador, Praya's response is disappointing. The ambassador is supposed to help out refugees or at least make calls to search for a missing person. The way Praya responded has caused a negative impact on UNHCR Thailand's image as many people who donated to them regularly posted on UNHCR Facebook that they will no longer do so.
However, some posts by celebrities are things people cannot argue about. For example, Faii Sumitra's message on social media which reads: "No one deserves to die just because they have different opinions." Though it may not apply to Wanchalearm's case because hopefully, he is alive."
While celebrities have a right to choose whether they want to express their opinions or not, people also have a choice to support them or not. Some people who have been satisfied with Maria's courage have started buying products which Maria advertises. Meanwhile, others have given up on donating to the UNHCR. However, celebrities aren't in charge of this matter. Instead of condemning them on social media, pressure and questions should go to the authority and politicians who are responsible for the case.
Suwitcha Chaiyong is a feature writer for Life section of the Bangkok Post.