Bangkok, Thailand – A group of mime artists performing a silent protest against Thailand’s controversial monarch found themselves speechless after being arrested by authorities on Sunday.
The group, calling themselves “Mimes Without Borders,” staged a demonstration in downtown Bangkok by silently pantomiming actions criticizing King Vajiralongkorn over his lavish spending, strengthening control over the country, and personal unconventionality.
The mimes depicted the king surrounded by piles of cash, while other performers mimed being arrested and jailed for speaking out. They also ridiculed the 70-year-old monarch’s eccentric personal life, which has included publicly parading a royal consort only to later strip her of titles, appointing a controversial poodle named Foo Foo as a ceremonial guard, and reportedly spending quarantine periods in a luxury German hotel.
However, their silent resistance was short-lived as police quickly moved in and arrested all 16 members of the mime troupe for violating Thailand’s harsh lese-majeste laws prohibiting any insult to the monarchy.
“They didn’t say a single word, but their body movements and pretend shouting amounted to a clear violation,” explained Colonel Pravit Poomchai. “We had to de-escalate before wider unrest could develop.”
The arrested mimes remain imprisoned. Their ongoing detention has sparked outrage among human rights groups and pro-democracy activists around the world, who have staged protests condemning the arrests as a severe overstep in limiting free speech.
“The imprisonment of these peaceful mime artists is an appalling attack on expression and dissent,” said Amnesty International’s secretary general Agnes Callamard. Protests have been held in London, Paris, New York and other cities demanding the mimes’ release.
Vajiralongkorn has taken an increasingly hardline stance since taking the throne in 2016 after his father’s death. He has centralized control of the Crown’s billions in personal wealth, expanded powers over military forces, and rewritten laws to allow himself to spend extended periods abroad while still retaining control. Critics accuse him of dragging Thailand away from democracy and towards absolute monarchy.
Thai government officials have not commented on the ongoing mime protest controversy. However, unconfirmed reports indicate they have also arrested a satirical modern dance troupe for making fun of the king’s love of aviation.
Truth Bureau 