Anti-coup activists produce 'Chup Yoei Chan-o-cha' MV mocking junta

A group of anti-coup activists produced a music video mocking the junta. It said it aims at breaking the fear created by the military regime. 

Resistant Citizen, a group composed of activists, academics, human rights workers and lawyers, on Thursday released a music video which makes fun of military power and the long-promised but elusive general election. 

The MV modified the lyrics of Kissing before the Moon (chup yoei chanจูบเย้ยจันทร์ in Thai), a famous luk thung duet

The satirical version was named Chup Yoei Chan-(o-cha), to mimic the surname of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the leader of the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and Prime Minister of Thailand. 

In the original lyrics, the male singer tries to convince the female singer to allow him to kiss her, but the female singer refuses, saying that she is too ashamed because the moon is watching them. In the satirical version, the male singer, sometimes wearing a Thai civil servant’s ceremonial outfit and sometimes a military uniform, tries to convince the female singer that elections and democracy are not necessary for the country. The female singer is not convinced. The male singer then threatens her with force and forces her to “live inside a coconut shell,” which in Thai means “be ignorant of the outside world

The lyrics:

Male: My dear, why do you want to have an election? What’s so good about democracy? 

Female: Oh no. Oh no. I know your mind. If I believe our dear leader, the country will lag behind. 

Male: Lag behind, what’s the problem? Our dear leader wants to return happiness to us!

Female: Well, well, you’re so stubborn. Don’t you see the world is going toward democracy!

Male: What are you doing!?!

Female: I’m casting my vote! I want an election!

Male: Chan (o-cha) is feeling not OK. Chan is not OK with this.

Female: Chan is not ok, but I’ll fight. 

Male: Don't you see the military officers are all over the place?  Let's get silly together. Why do you scumbag want to have an election!

Female: Oh my, what are you doing?

Male: Oh dear, let's go inside the coconut shell. 

Anon Numpa, human rights lawyer from the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) and member of Resistant Citizen, stars in the MV. He told Prachatai that the MV is meant to be funny because Gen Prayut said himself that he is a funny person and wants to see others smiling. 

 
 

Anon said the group planned to hold an activity on Valentines’ Day on 14 February to commemorate the latest general election on 2 February 2014. The lawyer said he believes the junta will not ban the activity because it is a cultural event. 

Founded on 31 January, the Resistant Citizen Facebook Page says it is aimed at destroying the climate of fear created by the junta. 

The lesson learned from Thai history and around the world is that no coup makers ever return power to the people out of mercy. The return of democracy, rule of law, and civil rights are from the struggle of the people -- the owners of power,” states the Resistant Citizen Facebook Page

“ ‘Resistance to the coup is the duty of citizens who are concerned about their rights, liberties and the democratic principles,” it adds.  

Meanwhile, NCPO Spokesperson Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said he has not heard of the MV and the planned event on the Valentines’ Day, adding that the organizer should send a letter to the junta asking for permission. 

 
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