Open Letter from Cultural Activist for Democracy (CAD) to Gwangju Museum of Art 

Regarding Sutee Kunavichyanont’s Participation in Exhibition ‘The Truth_to Turn It Over’

 

With regard to a Thai artist Sutee Kunavichyanont’s participation in exhibition ‘The Truth_to Turn It Over’ at Gwangju Museum of Art, we would like to express our concern regarding to Sutee’s artistic practice, political standpoint and the spirit of May 18 Gwangju Uprising.

 

It is clear that Sutee aligns with the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) that has contributed to political crisis and the May 22, 2014 Coup. The PDRC is a movement intending to uproot Yingluck Shinawatra government by closing down streets of Bangkok, governmental offices, including blocking people to vote on the 2014 general election. The PDRC condemned that majority of Thai voters in provincial areas are poor and uneducated that could be bought by politicians. They also believe that the 2014 general election could only uphold the power of Yingluck government.  At the same time, denying to negotiate with government representatives, the PDRC demanded an unelected government appointed by the King, which is unconstitutional. In many ways, their actions led to military intervention. As a result, Thailand has lost its democratic regime since. 

 

The PDRC looks over the fact that Suthep Thueksuban, a leader of PDRC, was formerly Deputy Prime Minister to Abhisit Vejjajiva Government, who deployed the army to disperse the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protest camp in the heart of Bangkok during April 10-May 19, 2010. As a result, more than 100 died and almost 2,000 injured. Thai court rules that it is relevant that Thai army officials fired at civilians. While many UDD protesters are jailed and sentenced for violations of law, Suthep and his cabinet members are free, leaving the fact that not only the UDD protesters are killed and jailed but also ordinary people who has nothing to do with political motivation.  

Some scholars refer to the April 10 –May 19 Crackdown as similar to Chun Doo Hwan’s suppression of Gwangju Uprising.  Even worst, many Abhisit government supporters believe that the UDD protesters deserve such violent suppression. 

 

After the crackdown, Abhisit government dissolved the Parliament and called for a general election. Yingluck Shinawatra from Pheuthai Party (with support by UDD members) was elected and became the Prime Minister while Suthep became opposition party. Yingluck government tried to find a solution for national reconciliation by drafting amnesty law. Her government failed to pass the controversial amnesty law and caused the anger from many camps including PDRC fraction. Thailand has been in the stagnation of democratization since. 

 

During PDRC’s Shut Down Bangkok campaign, Sutee and his artist friends organized Art Lane that raised fund for PDRC movement. Rather than promoting democracy and civilian rule, his project at GMA recites his contribution to the recession of Thai democracy such as posters using stencil techniques, T-shirts for PDRC supporters, and so on. The PDRC artists took over streets of Bangkok to block the February 2, 2014 general election, which sparks an opportunity for the military to seize the power from civilian government. Thailand, once a country with bright future for democracy in this region, has been fully controlled by aristocrats and military rule since May 22, 2014.

As Thai junta government has been heavily criticized by international community during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) human rights situation in Thailand on May 12, 2016, its practices of human rights violation is continuing. However, PDRC artists continue supporting the Art Lane to raise fund for PDRC’s college. Sutee’s exhibition not only insulting Thailand’s democratic movements and the history of democratization but also the spirit of May 18 Gwangju Uprising.

 

We would like to question Jong Young Lim, the curator, and board of GMA on their selection process and the reason that lead to invitation of Sutee to participate in this exhibition.  We believe that the freedom of expression is important for the artist, but we want to express our concern that Sutee’s exhibition emerged from the fact that reversal to the spirit of Gwangju Uprising. In this regards, we would like to hear your explanation in respond to the people of Thailand and Gwangju.

 

In Solidarity.

 

Cultural Activist for Democracy (CAD)

Abhichon Rattanabhayon Media Studio

Akara Pacchakkhaphati Film Maker

Angkrit Ajchariyasophon Artist/Gallerist

Anocha Suwichakornpong Film Maker

Anusorn Tipayanon Writer 

Aranya Siriphon Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University

ArjinJonathan Arjinkit Artist/Lecturer, Rajanagarindra Rajabhat University

Arnont Nongyao Artist

Arthit Suriyawongkul Activist

Artit Srijan Writer/Lecturer, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University  

Athapol Anunthavorasakul Lecturer, Chulalongkorn University

Atikom Mukdaprakorn Artist/Cultural Activist

Ben Busarakamwong Cultural  Activist

Cattleya Paosrijaroen Film Maker

Chai Siris Film Maker

Chakkrit Chimnok Artist

Chettapat Kueankaeo Theater Director

Chiranuch Premchaiporn Director of Prachatai

Chontida Auikool Thammasat University

Chuwat Rerksirisuk Editor in Chief of Prachatai

Danaya Chulphuthiphong Historian

Ded Chongmankong Photographer

Dontree Siribunjongsak Musician

Duangrurthai Asanachatang Writer 

Ekanop Suwannakosum Graphic Designer/Lecturer, Chiang Mai University

Farida Jiraphan Performer

Gandhi Wasuvitchayagit Writer

Inthira Vittayasomboon Cultural Activist

Janit Feangfu Lecturer, Chiang Mai University

Jirasak Monkiatkul Interior Designer

Jirat Prasertsup Cultural Activist

Kahat Sujipisut Artist

Kasem Phenpinant Department of Philosophy, Chulalongkorn University 

Kavintron Sangsakron Performer

Keawalee Warutkomain Art Director

Kittima Chareeprasit Curator

Komtham Domrongchareon Lecturer, Silpakorn University

Kongkrit Traiyawong Lecturer, Walailak University

Kornkrit Jianpinidnan Artist

Kriangkrai Patomnetikul Photographer

Krit Lualamai Writer 

Ladapha Sophonkunkit Performer

Ladda Kongdach Performer

Lakkana Punwichai Writer 

Latthapon Korkiatarkul Artist

Lyla Phimanrat Gallerist

Mit Jai-in Artist

Miti Ruangkritya Artist

Mo Jirachaisakul Ceramic Artist

Montri Toemsombat Artist

Namfon Udomlertlak Film Maker

Narawan Pathomvat Researcher

Nataya U-Kong Lecturer, Silpakorn University

Nawapooh Sae-tang Critic

Nithinand Yorsaengrat Reporter 

Nok Paksanavin Writer

Nopawat Likitwong Sound Artist/Sound Engineer

Noraset Vaisayakul Artist

O Techadilok Graphic Designer

Orawan Arunrak Artist

Pakavadi Veerapasapong Writer 

Pandit Chanrochanakit Faculty of Political Science, Ramkhamhaeng University

Panu Boonpipattanapong Freelance Writer

Paphonsak La-or Artist 

Parinot Kunakornwong Artist

Pasakorn Intoo-Marn Performer/Lecturer, Mahidol University

Pathompon Tesprateep Artist

Pavinee Samakkabutr Performance Artist

Pawaluk Suraswadi Performer

Pawin Ramingwong Artist/Lecturer, Phayao University

Pichaiwat Saengprapan  Artist/Lecturer, Srinakarinwirot University

Pimsiri Petchnamrob Activist

Pinkaew Laungaramsri Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University 

Pisitakun Kuantalaeng Artist

Pitch Pongsawat Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University

Piyarat Piyapongwiwat Artist

Pongjit  Saphakhun Performer

Potjawan Panjinda Art Center Manager

Prapat Jiwanrangsan Artist

Pratompong Namjaidee Artist

Puangthong Pawakapan Faculty of Political Science Faculty, Chulalongkorn University 

Rattanai Bampenyou Musician

Rodjaraeg Wattanapanit Cultural Activist

Ruangsak Anuwatwimon Artist

Santiphap inkong-ngam Film Maker/Lecturer, Chiang Mai University

Sawit Prasertphan Artist/Lecturer, Chiang Mai University

Sina Wittayawiroj Artist

Siripoj Laomanacharoen Writer 

Sompoch  Aung Artist

Sorayut  Aiemueayut Lecturer, Chiang Mai University

Suchart Swasdsri Writer 

Sukanya Seskhuntod Cultural Activist

Sutthirat Supaparinya Artist

Tada Hengsapkul Artist

Teerapong Suthiwarapirak Writer

Teerawat Mulvilai Performance Artist

Thanavi Chotpradit Art Historian/Critic/Lecturer, Silpakorn University

Thanom Chapakdee Faculty of Fine Arts, Srinakharinwirot University

Tharit Tothong Critic

Thasnai Sethaseree Artist/Lecturer, Chiang Mai University

Thatchatham Silsupan Composer/Lecturer, Chiang Mai University

Thawiphat Praengoen Artist/Cultural Activist

Thitibodee Rungteerawattananon Artist

Uthis Haemamool Writer

Uthit Attimana Artist/Lecturer, Chiang Mai University

Vichapon Diloksambandh Performer

Viengrat Nethipo Faculty of Political Science Faculty, Chulalongkorn University 

Vipash Purichanont  Department of Visual Cultures, Goldsmiths, University of London

Wichanon Somumjarn, Independent Filmmaker 

Vorakorn Ruetaivanichkul Film Maker

Warasinee Chansawang Gallery Manager

Weroon Wuthirithakul Cultural Activist

Wichanon Somumjarn Independent Filmmaker 

Wirapa Angkoontassaniyarat Writer

Wiwat Lertwiwatwongsa Film Critic

Yingsiwat Yamolyong Film Maker

Yukti Mukdawijitra  Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University

Yutthana Darakron Cultural Activist