The surprising thing about a four-minute music video mocking junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, for which a little-known district official now faces up to five years in prison, is that it doesn’t appear to contain any obviously defamatory content.
While “For Our Beloved Uncle” alludes vaguely to the notion that Prayuth is corrupt, has a foul mouth and bad posture; it levels no specific allegations in favor of generally showing the general in an unflattering light. Two experts on law and rights said there was nothing about the country song and video to warrant the arrest Thursday of Narong Ruengthanawong, a 39-year-old former Pheu Thai councilman for Bangkok’s Bang Khen district.
Human rights lawyer Anond Nampa said he reviewed the music video after news emerged Thursday of Narong’s arrest and found nothing legally actionable.
“The military doesn’t want anyone to be creating satire against Prayuth,” Anond said. “This [arrest and charge] is a deterrent for others not to disseminate it and to ensure there will be no joking [about Prayuth].”
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