Update: People donated THB6.6 million (US$173,000) via a social media campaign to Redshirt activist Weerawit after Tuesday’s attack.
Thailand’s most renowned gadfly was attacked this morning while on his way to file yet another legal complaint – this time against a famed comedian who made fun of the government.
Srisuwan Janya was about to file a complaint to the Technology Crime Suppression Division about stand-up comedian Udom “Note” Taepanichassaulted when a man identified as Weerawit Rungruengsiripol, 62, rained a flurry of punches on him just outside. Udom, a top comedian for decades, had sharply criticized the Thai government in his latest comedy show.
As Srisuwan was talking to reporters, Weerawit – purportedly an activist aligned with the opposition Redshirt movement – rushed him and let his fists fly.
The attack was filmed by Nattapong “Opol” Malee, a citizen journalist with Ratsadon News.
Srisuwan said he would file an assault complaint against Weerawit with Phaholyothin Police.
In response, Weerawit said he was ready to be prosecuted, but just couldn’t anymore with Srisuwan, who is an attorney, as he had grown “intolerant” of his frequent legal complaints against those with different political stances.
Srisuwan once used the law to fight against government corruption and for environmental causes. Five years ago, he was detained by the military after filing a complaint about the disappearance of a plaque commemorating the 1932 revolution that ended absolute monarchy.
Since then, he has become known for taking ultraroyalist and nationalist positions, filing complaints against those who dissent against or pose a political threat to the ruling government and monarchy.
And his complaints have been increasingly seen as superfluous abuses of the system to prop up the status quo. Earlier this year, he filed a legal complaint to overturn the landslide win of Chadchart Sittipunt in Bangkok’s gubernatorial race because his campaign posters could be reused as tote bags.
Last week, Udom, arguably the nation’s most famous comedian, reversed years of conservative posturing in his latest comedy show, Deaw 13, in which he criticized Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his government. Note even showed empathy for anti-government protesters, saying “they’re doing the right thing.”
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