Thailand protests: celebrities defy risks to back pro-democracy movement
- The recent arrest of a Thai rap star who took part in a student rally reflects the risks of speaking out against the government
- But celebrities are continuing to lend their support to young protesters at the possible cost of their careers
Thai rapper Dechathorn “Hockey” Bamrungmuang was confused as to why he was arrested on sedition charges after performing at one of Thailand’s student rallies on August 16.
Hockey, 30, was among eight activists arrested on August 20. Another six had been arrested in the previous days.
The hip-hop artist, who was released on bail, said authorities could have wrongly identified him as a protest leader. While his group Rap Against Dictatorship (RAD) performed at the rally, they were far from being the only entertainers who took the stage there.
RAD consists of four core members and about eight others who collaborate on singles released on streaming services. The group shot to national fame with the 2018 song, Prathet Ku Mee (What My Country Has Got), which has verses that touched on corruption, power, money, inequality and dictatorship. It has gained more than 88 million views on YouTube.
Several viewers checked in on the song after learning of Hockey’s arrest.