Battle of two rap songs heats up Thai politics

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa

BANGKOK, Nov 6 (Bernama) – A musical battle pitting anti-establishment and pro-government rap songs has taken the already heated political environment in Thailand up another notch, months before the country goes to the polls on Feb 24 next year.

A song called, "Prathet Ku Mee" or "What My Country's Got," by Rap Against Dictatorship (RAD) takes aim at the current military government and a host of issues from endemic corruption, injustices, and the divisive and violent political climate in the kingdom. 

Since the song was released on Oct 22, its music video has quickly garnered more than 28 million views on the popular video-sharing platform, YouTube, while also topping Thailand's music charts, much to the dismay of the powers that be.

Officials have taken a hardline view of the song, with the country's deputy police chief, Gen Srivara Rangsibragmanakul who was clearly riled,  questioning whether the popular track violated the law and could incite unrest, although he then quickly backed down.

 "The lyrics are insufficient evidence to launch prosecution, so people are allowed to listen to, sing and share the song," said the top policeman, as the song with its highly-political lyrics has been drawing an avalanche of fans and admirers.

The controversial rap track is, however,  music to the ears for anti-military groups in the country, who sing praises on its boldness and the rappers' bravery.  

Among the song's lyrics which touch the raw nerves of government officials are, "My country points a gun at your throat. It claims to have freedom but gives no right to choose. 

"My country's got a black panther shot by a rifle. My country preaches morals but has a crime rate higher than the Eiffel (Tower),"  and "It is a country in which judges live in a resort built inside a national park and it is a country in which the city centre becomes a killing field."

 At the end of the five-minute long music video, the accompanying message is, "Divide-and-rule is a dictator's best trick. All People Unite."

The music video which was shot in black and white and sung by 10 rappers, also touches on another politically taboo issue as it seems to recreate a scene depicting the 1976 massacre in front of Bangkok's Thammasat University. 

To counter the "Prathet Ku Mee" song, the government has its own rap song, "Thailand 4.0", which was unveiled during a business conference last week, attended by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and other senior government officials.

By yesterday, the track which takes on a more positive note with lyrics such as, "There are many talented Thais, if we work together we'd be stronger, stronger" and "Gen M, Gen Z, Gen whatever if you all agree, it'd be easier, easier,"  has only garnered 1.3 million views and 20,000 dislikes on YouTube. 

It is a far cry from the 28 million views attained by "Prathet Ku Mee" on YouTube.

The local media have also taken a swipe and criticised the move, calling "Thailand 4.0" a lame response to the more popular "Prather Ku Mee",  with highly-critical netizens also joining the fray by poking fun at the government's effort.

"I’ve lived for 29 years, and this is the first song I’ve heard that claims to be rap. I thought it was a Sports Day song at a temple,” user Suphachon P. Phattara was quoted as saying by the popular news portal, Khaosod English.

"So lame. The beats are so out of date," added the individual.

-- BERNAMA