Thailand’s junta has commandeered every TV channel for round-the-clock broadcasts of dour announcements and patriotic hymns. The public’s verdict — DJ, please change the soundtrack. In this day and age, it’s not surprising that the generals who launched the coup have set up a Facebook page. But it is a sign of the times that the junta’s vintage martial tunes are not resonating with the Facebook generation.
“Since you’re reforming politics, you might as well reform your music,” said one of many postings on the page, which had over 210,000 likes by Friday afternoon, up exponentially from earlier in the day. Song requests poured in for Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, the Disney hit “Let it Go,” and for foot-tapping Thai folk music.
“Please give us something more uplifting,” said another comment on the page, which bears the junta’s self-declared name — National Peace and Order Maintaining Council. Some on social media joked that the nationalistic hymns could unleash old aggressions.
“Play other songs, will you! Your marching music is making me so patriotic that I want to wield a sword and slash some Burmese!” a reference to Thailand’s historical enemy and neighbour, now known as Myanmar.
Parents posted pleas for the return of children’s channels. “Can I have my TV back? At least the cartoon channel for my kid? It won’t hurt national stability,” said one father.
