Thai PM takes flack from social media over his Animal Farm recommendation

First published in 1945, “Animal Farm” is a satirical novel where Orwell savages authoritarian rule, referencing Stalin and the post-WWII Soviet Union. The novel is about farm animals that are treated badly, overworked and underfed by their human owners. The animals are led by a pig to revolt against the farmers, by overthrowing the men and taking over the farm themselves, promising democracy and a better life. Pigs take over the administration of farm and assign different duties to rule the other animals. You guessed it, their rule proves no better than that of humans.

Netizens are comparing his junta rule saying it is no better, maybe even worse, than the regime he toppled in 2014.

“Perhaps Prayut has not read the book, or never finished it.”

“Don’t you PM realise it’s your selfie, herrr #AnimalFarm?”

In a Facebook comment, journalist Sompop Lee said it was ironic that the junta suppressed the reading of Orwell’s “1984” when it took power.

“Now, the junta chief is recommending a novel by the same author. I’m really confused.”

Eight protesters were arrested when they were participating in a protest in June 2014 with copies of another Orwell novel “1984” outside Siam Paragon to voice objections to the junta’s restrictions on freedom.

But government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak came to the rescue yesterday saying that Prayut did not want people to politicise the recommendation.

“People should not interpret the recommendation as an insult to their intelligence. A book always offers wisdom.”

Werachon said the message from “Animal Farm”, as suggested by the premier, is that we will never get what we desire and nobody can satisfy everybody.

“It is the natural rule – we have to take care of things surrounding us, including animals on the farm.”

Maybe the spokesperson should read the novel as well.

SOURCE: The Nation