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Thai junta unamused by comedian John Oliver's royal jibes Thai junta unamused by comedian John Oliver's royal jibes
(34 minutes later)
British comedian John Oliver has come under fire in Thailand after mocking members of the royal family and poking fun at the ruling junta's so-called "happiness" campaigns – two jokes that may have landed the satirist on a government blacklist. The British comedian John Oliver has come under fire in Thailand after mocking members of the royal family and poking fun at the ruling junta's so-called "happiness" campaigns – two jokes that may have landed the satirist on a government blacklist.
Talking last month on his late-night HBO show Last Week Tonight, Oliver ridiculed General Prayuth Chan-ocha's "dystopian nightmare" of a government, called Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn a "buffoon" and an "idiot", and ridiculed a clip of a contentious home video of the prince and his semi-naked wife at a poolside birthday party for their pet poodle Foo Foo. Talking last month on his late-night HBO show Last Week Tonight, Oliver ridiculed Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha's "dystopian nightmare" of a government, called Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn a "buffoon" and an "idiot", and ridiculed a clip of a contentious home video of the prince and his semi-naked wife at a poolside birthday party for their pet poodle Foo Foo.
"You're telling me they're not supposed to make fun of that?" Oliver asks incredulously – referring to strict pro-monarchy laws prohibiting anyone from poking fun at the monarchy. "That's entrapment!""You're telling me they're not supposed to make fun of that?" Oliver asks incredulously – referring to strict pro-monarchy laws prohibiting anyone from poking fun at the monarchy. "That's entrapment!"
Under Thailand's strict lese-majeste laws, anyone who insults, defames or threatens the royal family can be imprisoned for up to 15 years – a law Oliver calls "stupid" and the countries who wield such laws "stupid" as well. Under Thailand's strict lese-majeste laws, anyone who insults, defames or threatens the royal family can be imprisoned for up to 15 years – a law Oliver calls "stupid" and the countries who wield such laws stupid as well.
The Cambridge-educated polemicist then goes on to pick apart Prayuth's recent happiness campaigns across the capital Bangkok, where locals and foreigners alike have been offered free meals and haircuts, music concerts put on by Thai soldiers and flanked by PVC-clad dancers, and the chance to both pet a pony and take a selfie next to a trussed-up soldier as an attempt to "bring back happiness to the people" after a decade of political in-fighting. "If they think people are that easy to manipulate, they are right," Oliver jokes to much audience laughter. "Look, I can't vote or express dissent, but look at [the pony]! He's so soft." The Cambridge-educated polemicist then goes on to pick apart Prayuth's recent happiness campaigns across the capital, Bangkok, where locals and foreigners alike have been offered free meals and haircuts, music concerts put on by Thai soldiers and flanked by PVC-clad dancers, and the chance to both pet a pony and take a selfie next to a trussed-up soldier as an attempt to "bring back happiness to the people" after a decade of political in-fighting.
"If they think people are that easy to manipulate, they are right," Oliver jokes to much audience laughter. "Look, I can't vote or express dissent, but look at [the pony]! He's so soft."
The comments have not gone down well in Thailand, where the ruling National Council for Peace and Order has restricted media freedoms; detained activists, politicians and academics; temporarily suspended social media; and blocked tens of thousands of websites deemed "harmful" to national security.The comments have not gone down well in Thailand, where the ruling National Council for Peace and Order has restricted media freedoms; detained activists, politicians and academics; temporarily suspended social media; and blocked tens of thousands of websites deemed "harmful" to national security.
According to a confidential document reportedly obtained by Vice News, the Thai government now also considers Oliver one of a number of international threats currently "undermining the royal institution". Other threats to the Thai government including the Free Thai movement, a group of former leaders opposed to the current military government; a Thai academic currently working in Japan; and a Thai woman living in London who has previously made anti-monarchy comments, Vice reports. According to a confidential document reportedly obtained by Vice magazine, the Thai government now also considers Oliver one of a number of international threats currently "undermining the royal institution". Other threats to the Thai government including the Free Thai movement, a group of former leaders opposed to the current military government; a Thai academic currently working in Japan; and a Thai woman living in London who has previously made anti-monarchy comments, Vice reports.
According to the confidential document – written four days after Oliver's satirical show aired – the Thai government points to the particular HBO episode and says: "Mr. John William Oliver, a comedy actor known for parodying English politics, discussed the issue of Crown Prince Felipe of Spain's inauguration, criticizing it and referring/connecting it to other countries with monarchs, such as Queen Elizabeth II, by means of showing sections of and criticizing 'the poolside clip' on HBO." According to the confidential document – written four days after Oliver's satirical show aired – the Thai government points to the particular HBO episode and says: "Mr John William Oliver, a comedy actor known for parodying English politics, discussed the issue of Crown Prince Felipe of Spain's inauguration, criticizing it and referring/connecting it to other countries with monarchs, such as Queen Elizabeth II, by means of showing sections of and criticizing 'the poolside clip' on HBO."
While it is still unclear just what, if any, repercussions the comedian might face, Oliver himself seems unfazed by the news that the junta is unhappy with his comments, and has used the news as further comedic fodder for his show. While it is still unclear just what, if any, repercussions the comedian might face, Oliver himself seems unfazed by the news that the junta is unhappy with his comments, and has used the news as further comedic fodder for his show. "It seems my Thailand vacation is going to have to be postponed very much indefinitely," he told a new audience last Sunday, before launching another attack. "I will say this: If I can bring down your monarchy, you have – at best – a wobbly monarchy."
"It seems my Thailand vacation is going to have to be postponed very much indefinitely," he told a new audience last Sunday, before launching another attack. "I will say this: If I can bring down your monarchy, you have – at best – a wobbly monarchy."