Supinya Klangnarong, Graceful Voice Of Freedom

She’s not only a media rights advocate. She’s charmingly attractive, highly intelligent, a true Thai power woman – and many people’s hero, against her will: Supinya Klangnarong, who rose to fame when she got sued by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s family empire Shin. A hero against her will because there lies a beautiful irony in her fate:

The man, of all people, who tried to destroy her, this very man kind of made her. Thaksin somehow became the most important man in Supinya’s life. “A bitter-sweet experience,” Khun “Kay” told me when we recently sat down for an interview accompanied by hot chocolate and a veggie meal. And not that she bears a grudge, as you’re about to learn. And her take on the reds? And all the hush hush in the land?

Born in 1973, the year of the uprising, the milestone-year for liberty and democracy in Thailand, Supinya Klangnarong holds the vice-chair of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform (CPMR) and is a board member of the Thai Netizen Network. For a backgrounder on Khun Supinya read our earlier story The Truth Be Told. You can get further information about Thailand’s Iron Girl on her website www.supinya.com or if you follow her on Twitter. Here’s the interview:

Who are you, Khun Supinya?

(Laughs) I am a Thai woman and interested in politics and media. I believe in policy and structural change – even though I have not studied law. My work involves lobbying and advocating for law and regulation. So basically I am a media advocate interested in the media expression and also freedom of expression in general.

„Media politics“ is a fashionable term these days …

Media politics have created both possibilities and threats. Media in Thailand are very vibrant. The National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) just announced there are more than 5,000 radio stations. We have a range of satellites and many more information outlets. Some of them became a political tool. At a certain point people enjoy more freedom of expression, and there is the freedom of choice. Therefore we also have the challenge that some of the media are politicized and became a political instrument. They went too far and became aggressive. That led to the incitement of violence. While we are fighting for freedom of expression, we also face the new challenges of respect and responsibility. We have to find the lines between freedom, responsibility and different points of view.

Those interests seem to keep you terribly busy. Not easy to get hold of you.

I try to be less busy than before, but my schedule is always occupied by meetings and appointments. I am always involved with journalists, visitors, guests, NGOs, officials and also students for research – and parliamentarians. I am doing public advocating and lobbying work. 2-3 days a week it’s official work from 9 am to 4 pm at parliament and NTC. I’m in a legislative committee, that’s the system in Thailand to first consider a draft. I got appointed by the Democrat Party and have the authority to help drafting the Broadcasting & Telecommunication Regulator Bill (NBCT). It can get frustrating, but I enjoy doing it. You have to learn to compromise. When I was working for an NGO you can be yourself. But when you are drafting a law you decide to make a dialog and follow the rules in a meeting.

But isn’t it this very system of compromises and forward and back that stalls Thailand?

Yeah, but somehow we need to negotiate so that the others also support our stance. That’s a real challenge. Before I did mainly advocacy. But now for the first time I am appointed.

You wanna become a legislator one day and stand elections?

Currently I’m not interested. I like the role of being an MP, but being a politician you have to sacrifice your life …

In Thailand?!

When you are an MP you have to be the representative from your constituency. Normally politicians are busy with their own constituency. They have to attend wedding parties and such, that’s very important. You have to listen 24 hours a day. That’s a little bit too much for me now … And for me as a woman, when you enter politics, I have nothing secret, but being a woman is very difficult to work in the political arena.

Too dirty?

I wouldn’t say that, but too complicated. It’s not easy as a woman. I am just a female activist. I’m not different from other women, but independent and outspoken.

You became famous because of Thaksin.

He changed my life and Thai society.

Could you live without this experience?

Hard to answer … It’s a bitter-sweet experience. This lawsuit gave me so many opportunities. I travel a lot, many people admire me. I am an activist who got so much supported from so many people. That’s very unique. I didn’t expect myself to be a tough media activist, because that isn’t my personality at all. I’m caught in the middle. Which way should I go? This all affects my personal life and relationships. There are the expectations from mother and father. Even though they admire me, my mother is still wanting me to be a model mother. She didn’t have such an adventurous life. That’s something that sometimes creates conflicts. Especially in Thai society that can happen and I feel sad about it. I’m so happy for what I am doing. I’m not a typical Thai daughter … I have to overcome this kind of guilt.

I bet your mother is even more upset about Thaksin for taking her daughter away from the family …

Yes, she and the family are very very supportive of the PAD. I also supported them until the coup.

So early? You realized so early that the coup could be a terrible mistake, even though many were cheering?

The coup shocked me. Why so early? I didn’t expect it. That brought me strong criticism from civil society. They accused me that I am a part of the coup. I didn’t expect that it would end up like this. After the coup happened I wasn’t even sure anymore if it was a good thing to fight Thaksin. We had an authoritarian regime, but I was still not convinced with the red shirts and UDD. Even though I have a personal history with Thaksin, he is the so far (laughs) most important man in my life …

Did you ever meet that man?

No, never. He’s now on Twitter. If I would follow him on Twitter I would ask him the question I have kept for so long in my heart: why did you sue me? At that time I was a nobody. What I said was simple. And his family company sued me for millions of dollars. And they brought themselves in a very bad situation. Why did he pick me? Why did he invest a lot of money in this? Maybe it’s too late for this to ask. It’s my personal curiosity.

You may have contributed to his downfall.

Yes, he was still very powerful. Even Sondhi criticized me back then, Sondhi was still a big fan of Thaksin. But I am happy with one thing. That I was acquitted before and not after the coup. I was acquitted when Thaksin was still in power.

Did the split between Sondhi and Thaksin come as a surprise?

It was about personal issues and ideology. A mixture of it. Sondhi supported Thaksin a lot. But sometimes when people are very close then a conflict can be even stronger.

Thailand today is off worse than under Thaksin?

It’s good that we are facing the reality. Before, when thinking about Thailand, people were thinking about paradise, smiles, beautiful women, food, sea and sand, but there are a lot of problems underneath. Thai people are also unclear about what Thai culture really is. The mess is an alarm for us to look at the reality and who we really are. My point is, a very sensitive issue for example are gender and sexual issues. In Thailand you are not allowed to talk about sexual education or even sexual relations between men and women. In soap operas there is still no kissing. Because the Culture Ministry says this is not Thai culture … Mainstream media don’t accept that this is a reality. There are many contradictions between reality and Thainess and culture. An even political issues. I believe that without communication, without understanding the reality, it is difficult for us to find a solution. We have so many realities we dare not to talk about. So, there is an opportunity in this mess. It is an alarming point. Especially in this transitional period without our ability to talk openly and freely without fear, a proper solution can not be found.

That’s something newer, this culture of fear.

It’s scary, in the media you don’t hear anything, but of some sensitive issues you can hear more these days, at least on the internet, at least from the taxi driver. Taxi drivers talk about things I never dare to talk about.

So the silent majority is not so silent anymore?

That’s me, the silent majority. And I am not radical. I am not a revolutionary. I am an evolutionist. Many people in Thailand now think about radical change, be it yellow or red. Some 20% of each group are very politically motivated. So we have about 60% moderates. That’s the silent majority. They are silent because of fear. Or because they think it will happen anyway. We are observing what’s going on. And we observe other countries. It’s not that easy to change overnight. I believe in civil education. We need people to take part.

Isn’t it an irony that before you had to fight Thaksin. Now you share similar goals?

Before, under Thaksin, my paradigm was about clean politics. But after the coup we realized politics is not as simple as that. There are so many stakeholders and so many factors. Therefore the idea and concept of change had to emerge. We need to understand the situation more clearly. Everybody has to be informed and then people can make a decision. Even Abhisit and the PAD are talking about change. Everyone sees the need for change. But they have different ideas. Maybe we realize we cannot avoid change. But we don’t know what change is.

Talking of Abhist, a leader too good to be true?

That’s a better option (laughs) than too bad to be true! I met Abhisit personally – I never met Thaksin. He’s a nice person. He is not the problem. But the way he came to power is for many. That’s why he’s not supported by certain groups. Even though it went along due process … Abhisit has to prove himself. That’s why he has to compromise and listen to different points of view. So he disappoints many. Still, he is not alone, because he is connected to so many groups that made him raise to power. While Thaksin didn’t have to listen to anyone. He consolidated power very well. He has that ability to lead. He made quick decisions and became a popular leader. That doesn’t mean that all was good.

So we have a „nicer,“ but potentially less popular leader now. One can’t get rid of the feeling that Thailand is not even standing still. The country is regressing. Your take?

Even though Thailand is regressing, Thailand is progressing. It’s sad that people had to sacrifice their lives, but again: it is an opportunity. I am still optimistic that Thailand will master the situation. I don’t think civil war will happen. I may be wrong. But the logical idea behind it is because the Thai authorities are still clever enough. As long as people are allowed to express their voices, as long as people are allowed to access information, we will be OK. But if the government implements a tougher stance and blocks access to information … Actually the internet in Thailand is free. People write pretty critical comments online. But once it’s getting too far, then authorities will intervene. By creating a climate of fear and at the same time remaining open, the government doesn’t try to control too much. If civil society would weaken, then the government would try to control more. As long as the media scenario is rather open it will reduce the tension and not lead to civil war. But if the authorities make the wrong decision with tough policies and a propaganda war, that would lead to confrontation. People would be willing to come out. Information and communication are the way to interfere therefore. Not too radically, it’s still all evolving. I don’t think Thailand to ever become a Singapore. Our country is not stabilized, but in terms of the political atmosphere it is rather democratic. You have the military, the Democrat Party, the elite. None of them can assume absolute power, because there are so many stakeholders. Some people think that is not good. Maybe that is not perfect, but a kind of balanced.

Working people complain about increasing hardships.

That’s exactly the point. When I am talking with taxi drivers they say it is so hard to get money. Thaksin at least helped the poor. He gave opportunities. Even though with tax money. People realize that Thaksin was corrupt. But when you are hungry and somebody gives you a meal, you will remember for your whole life. You can say it’s only 200 baht. But you will remember forever.




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August 26, 2009 | Filed Under History, Politics, Society, The Interview, The Thai Mind 

Comments

13 Responses to “Supinya Klangnarong, Graceful Voice Of Freedom”

  1. bosunj on August 26th, 2009 2.43 pm

    Excellent! Let’s have more interviews like this!

  2. 007 on August 27th, 2009 7.09 pm

    All wrong Missis!

    There is kissing in Thai Lakorn:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtcbJ8cekqM

    Otherwise outstanding. If Thailand’s already outspoken women would just be a little less complacent and more like you.

  3. Siam.Rick on August 30th, 2009 8.11 am

    Here’s a young Thai who was thrust into a over-the-top law suit by a corporate bully, yet she kept her head and battled her way out. I will bet, and she seems be indicate this, she grew up very fast. It’s very fortunate for all that Thaksin’s bullies picked on someone intelligent who will not kowtow to a richer, older, well connected citizen. This is so refreshing to read I think I’m having flashbacks to the 60s! Anyway, I left one thing out: she also faced down a male and won. Based on my experience in and of the country, Thai women are definitely the pillars of that society.

    Well done Supinya!

  4. nancy fiztpatrick on September 3rd, 2009 7.26 am

    Supinya is unreliable and rather actor. The only thing she always refers herself to is the case between her and Shin Corp, the 5 years ago story. I doubt what she ever contributed to the country since then. In thailand she is among a group of media celebrity, NGO superstar, frontline activist – but all in a bad sense. She earns her life from awards and per dium of meetings without any reasonable work. She can speak of every issues without any background. Ask this woman any question in the universe, she can respond in blink. Aut if you keep asking her in details, you will know she has nothing but pointless conversation. She is attractive because she knows how to impress the press. Is she intelligent? I don’t think so. Her life begins with the case against Shin Corp, it just ends up there. no contribution rather than using the case for her own sake. I for one say no to this kind of romanticizing her story. She is not a real fighter. she is an accidental hero who knows how to grasp the frame, the money , the scene, and the media.

  5. Mark on September 3rd, 2009 8.38 am

    Hear hear, where there’s a hint of success, there’s jealousy.

    Unfortunately activists don’t enjoy rich bonuses and high paychecks.

    In my opinion in the interview she makes it clear that she had no intention whatsoever to go that way.

    What should she do nancy? Disappear again? Be quiet? Say oh sorry it was all a mistake? I won’t trouble anyone any further?

  6. gyerreri on September 5th, 2009 9.25 am

    Mark distorts the whole point. What kind of “success” you see in this story? Chubby Celebrity? I don’t think so. Why would people jealous of this diva? Her wisdom? Her bank statement? Her integrity? You are talking about someone who contributed nothing. She is nothing without the Shin Corp case.

    She supported the coup. Now she accepts the Democrat Party appoints her into the parliament. Is this somebody who really struggles for true freedom? Democrat Party is the agency of freedom? You must lost your mind if saying so. She is hypocrite. Just simply that. Nothing to jealous of since there is nothing in her life unless you are those who dream of to be known, be celebrated.

    No intention to go that way? Can she say no to the appointment of the current government? Can she say no to rich bonuses? Of course she can. Why don’t she do that? I don’t know. It just speaks a lot about her.

  7. BangkokDan on September 5th, 2009 7.02 pm

    It doesn’t enhance your credibility nancy/gyerreri posting under different names from the same I.P. address.

    I let this one through, but read the interview before you shoot and get personal. The very points you accuse her of are readily answered in the interview.

    BangkokDan

  8. bangkokian on September 5th, 2009 7.49 pm

    This piece is one-sided. When the current government shut down community radio stations of “The Reds,” Supinya said nothing. When the current regime puts Darunee in jail for her freedom of speech, Supinya was flirting with her connection with the Democrats and new job in the parliament.

    This is a serious matter because the writer praises her for her fight for freedom, human rights, media rights and democracy. How can you promote someone who endorsed the coup and violence against “The Reds” as human rights advocate?

    Read this story in http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/29/world/asia/29thai.html?_r=3, comparing Supinya with Darunee and evaluating her with a holistic perspective, not only her smile or her knowledge of how to charm the press.

    The comment above mine is hillarious and funny. When readers disagree with the writer, it is your responsibility to listen and think.

  9. BangkokDan on September 5th, 2009 11.37 pm

    Maybe I got carried away. I’ll follow up on these questions.

    BangkokDan

  10. Supinya Klangnarong on September 6th, 2009 11.48 am

    Here are my answers – but first let me add more details on working in parliament. Early this year CPMR submitted the letters requesting for seats in the legislative committee to consider the NBTC Bill from both Democrat and Puea Thai parties. We met both representatives but we only got 1 seat accepted from the Democrats. Our request was denied by Puea Thai. We never felt disappointed by this. We understood Puea Thai’s position. But at least we tried to approach both parties through an open and transparent process. While the representatives from other stakeholders are sitting in the committee too. I do not see anything wrong in doing this role in the parliament. If next (elected) parliament comes, we will try to lobby and negotiate as well no matter if we’ll get the seat (s) or not.

    Here now my answers:

    1. I accepted that I made contributions to the coup I truly regret, but I don’t know how to change the past.

    2. Though I disagree with Khun Da because I am not red but I do sympathize with her struggle. I accepted that I am not as brave as her to defend free speech in this country. I knew I did less to defend her but this didn’t mean that I did not do anything on LM issues.

    I admit your criticism but it’s not fair to simply say that I did not do anything related to the reds’ expression and LM issues.

    1. For the recent case of Khun Da, on the verdict day I gave my interview to Bloomberg (but I have not seen it published anywhere yet). I was willing to give interviews to every media outlet but I got interviewed by only one media and none from Thai media.

    What I could do is to write some thought on my Twitter and Facebook pages and I plan to write on my blog (but not ready yet).

    So far I am working as a freelancer, affliated with CPMR & Thai Netizen Network. For Thai Netizen Network and CPMR we focus on media reform issues. For Netizen, we focus on cyber-liberty only. Therefore I limit myself to pro-actively working on some cases related to LM & Computer-Crime Act such as the case of Mr. Suwicha Thakhor, the internet user who was sentenced to 10 years in jail.

    I met him in jail personally and am working on his case continueously based on lobbying and advocating basis.

    But I cannot work on all LM issues, my focus is on related LM cases with internet users.

    However, on the receptive role I am always willing to give remarks on this matter. But I do apologize if my role might not be radical enough. I made a decision on that.

    2. After the coup, I constantly gave comments on media issues including after bloody Songkran as you can google the news or see in the links below that Netizen & CPMR issued statements. I am never reluctant to give interview if I get a chance.

    But as I said, for the pro-active role, I focus on few cases relavant to my work and priorities which you can read from my blog and http://www.thainetizen.org

    Regarding my lobbying work in parliament, I don’t see it as a bonus. It’s very tiring job I hold on for 6 to 7 months now and I am working hard to get 1,000 baht each week.

    3. My relationship with Democrat MPs is fair, we meet at parliament and work there. We communicate via Twitter and phone as necessary, no private or personal meetings.
    We respect each other but I still have room to remain independent.

    But as you know my political stand, I prefer to work with weak governments. So I like this Democrat administration, rather than a strong party led by Thaksin. However, I felt truly regret for the coup in 2006 and the way the Democrat Party came into power. But I decided to move on. I think I did my best to take action during the military ruled period in 2006 to 2007.

    4. I joined the mass group protesting at the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) against them passing the bills including the Internal Security Act (ISA) and many media-related laws. I was at the protest in front of parliament in December 2007. I and other 9 activists got charged for trespassing parliament. I have to report myself every 2 months at the state prosecutor’s office nowadays and cannot stay abroad longer than 2 to 3 months.

    Facing criminal charges like this, isn’t it enough to defend my stand?

    I faced lawsuits by TS, now I am facing criminal charges by the police for my political action against NLA, the military-appointed assembly. After these charges by police I promised my mother not to get involve in politics again but I still do. What hurts me is not your critical comment because I agree with your points, but I cannot do it better becasue I do not want to hurt my mother’s feeling. This may sound strange to you, but maybe you understand.

    You can read about my current charges here:

    http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2008/2732/

    5. I agree that by working in parliament I had to compromise as I mentioned in the interview. To defend my points and get supported I had to negotiate. It’s my new role. But I always stand firm in what I believe. I cannot compromise. I just accpect the failure. It’s rule in the meeting room. But so far I have gained some agendas I tried to work on.

    However, I always keep my principles and integrity at least in my heart, it is not easy to prove this but time will eventually prove me.

    Again, I cannot fight harder because I am NOT a fighter, I happened to fight Thaksin for free speech because he sued me first. Then I joined PAD and then I learned more.

    So far, I just wanted to do my best based on my capacity.

    I am neither that brave nor defiant. I knew I could have done more but as I said I do care for my parents and I wish to have my personal life settled sooner or later as the priority. I do not want to be a courageous woman or fighter anymore. I just simply wish to be a nice girlfriend or wife, honestly.

    Therefore I am slowing down my political role. That’s not embarrassing, that’s just true. Please give me a break and forgive me. But as much as I could contribute towards media reform I still love to do.

    So I am still around though less provocative unless until I get pregnant then I will be completely silent. ;)

    Last but not least, a critical comment and criticism are always welcome and very meaningful. It made me learned.

    Yours, Supinya

    It’s maybe naive to show these links but I guess I had to do:

    Some comments on Mr. Suwicha Thakhor’s LM & CCA case:

    http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46433

    http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&sid=a6nhF3JDEXKA

    http://www.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20090205-119642.html

    General comments on LM issues:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6hbH17K4wM&feature=channel_page

    http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46023

    My comment on internet users arrested under LM & CCA:

    http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/308

    Thai Netizen Netowrk’s statement after Songkran 2009:

    http://thainetizen.org/node/535

    CPMR’s statement after bloody Songkran 2009:

    http://www.media4democracy.com/th/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1782&Itemid=64

    My interview after bloody Songkran:

    http://facthai.wordpress.com/2009/04/25/pro-red-websites-blocked-radio-stations-raided-the-nation/

    Two full interview pages with Nation Weekly on LM issue & Computer Crime Act, later published on my blog:

    http://www.supinya.com/

    My current criminal charges:

    http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2008/2732/

    No media coverage on this case too, but it does not bother me. At most I have to defend myself in court.

  11. andy on September 10th, 2009 1.10 pm

    I bow to Khun Supinya. May luck, health and fortune always be with her!

    Nice interview, well done both!

  12. » Coup Maker to Enter Politics… the Proper Way TumblerBlog.com – A Thai political and current affairs blog on September 11th, 2009 4.30 pm

    [...] thing he needs to do is to follow the example of media freedom campaigner Supinya Klangnarong (see AbsolutelyBangkok for an excellent interview with her) and denounce his role in the coup. Admitting his past failures [...]

  13. The woman who cut Thaksin down to size-Absolutely Bangkok « FACT – Freedom Against Censorship Thailand on November 11th, 2009 6.32 pm

    [...] http://absolutelybangkok.com/supinya-klangnarong-graceful-voice-of-freedom/ [...]

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