The political state of Thailand is in chaos, violent clashes between red shirt protesters and the Thai military continues. Understandably, everyone is on edge–feeling distress when it comes to the discussion of Thai politics. When “Aof” Pongpat Wachirabunjong, respected director and actor, went up on stage last night to accept his award in the best supporting actor category in a series at the first annual Nataraja Awards (Performing Arts Awards), Aof stirred up controversy when he proclaimed his love for the King. His acceptance speech has generated hundreds of comments, probably more than a thousand now from Thai netizens who are debating (fighting) among each other as to whether Aof’s acceptance speech was a political one or one to unite the people without taking a political stance.
For his acceptance speech, he started off with a joke: “since I was born, I have never gotten this award before”. Everyone laughed because it’s the first annual Nataraja awards. He thanked the Confederation of the Thai Radio and Television Associations, the sponsor, the host, and the presenter of the Nataraja awards. Then he began to talk about Thailand and the King:
“This is an award I received for playing a father role. I would like your permission now to talk about our father (the King of Thailand) briefly na ha. A father is a pillar to a house (Thailand) na ha. My house is very big. We have many people living together. Since I was born, this house was very beautiful–beautiful and homely. For it to be like this, the ancestors of our father, lost sweat, lost blood, traded their lives to be able to build this house. Up to this point, this father, he is still fatigued in keeping up with this house and in caring for the happiness of each life under this house. If someone is angry at another, whoever, and then passed that anger down to our father, hate our father, insult our father, and have thoughts about chasing our father out of this house. I would have to walk up to that person and say, if you hate our father, and do not love our father anymore, you should leave, because this is our father’s house. Because this is our father’s kingdom. I love our King. I believe that everyone here loves our King too. We are the same color. This crown on my head I bestow for the King. Thank you!”
At this point, everyone started clapping loudly and cheering, “Nok” Chatchai Plengpanich even cried. More pictures here.
THE SPEECH:
By the way, he won the best supporting actor award for his father role in Prajun See Roong (Rainbow Moon) on Ch3.
He should have won the whole show!!!
Great. Applause. Take a stand.
You are the Hero to step up and
make it public so you better keep your sayings
because you brought me to TEARS!!!
I am too happy and sad now…
There will never be such thing as a “fair election” in Thailand. An election will not solve the country’s problems.
Nanticha…I kind of agree with you but its a difficult situation. The Reds are fighting the elites and royalists but there’s a sub-group who are against the King and royal family. They want to oust the King so its hard for him to step in to resolve a conflict that he’s techincally a part of. I love our King and can’t imagine anyone not loving him but there are people out there who do feel that way so how can he enforce authority or morale over people who are fighting against him? Its tough.
Red protesters are upset with the King because they believe he backed up Abhisit and that the royal family support Abhisit because well Abhisit’s “elite”. It’s always a clash of hisos vs losos, but sadly most of these losos are being bribed by monetary means to fight for the wrong cause. I think an election is needed to resolve the issue. An election where all casted votes are worth something and not votes that are bought by either party through corrupted political means.
here’s the WHOLE speech in eng, maybe lyn could add the vid on here for the others to see?? or you could just copy and paste the url @ the following ^^):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICYmy_sOPYc
all credit of the vid goes to:
VDO Credit: b2v2b @ youtube
Translation by deekana @ youtube
ขอบคุณค่ะ!