Goodbye to Mark, Time to face the music

Mark

Academy Fantasia contestant Withawat "Mark" Thaokhamlue ran up against the bounds of Thai free speech and decency after he criticised the prime minister on Facebook. 

Last night Mark appeared for the first - and last - time at an Academy Fantasia concert, after his decision three days before to withdraw from the seventh series of the reality show/performance contest in a show of contrition for his anti-Abhisit Vejjajiva remarks.

Today he is a free man, having left Academy Fantasia House. His performance on stage was intended to thank his fans for supporting him since the competition started two weeks ago.

It's been a tough initiation into public life for Mark, 17, whose parents withdrew him from the first weekly decider concert the Saturday before, after news broke about his disrespectful Abhisit comments.

In the eyes of the Bangkok media, Mark had betrayed himself as a red shirt supporter. Mark comes from Chiang Mai, a stronghold of the red shirts' champion, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mark's parents were worried about his safety amid a potentially hostile audience angered by his remarks. They announced their decision to withdraw him from the first concert hours shortly before it was due to start at Muang Thong Thani.

Mark was held back from performing, while the other 11 contestants vied for viewer votes.

As contestants climbed back on the AF bus at the end of the show, Mark - wearing a sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head - was shepherded on to the vehicle by a tight cordon of security guards. Before his parents left the stadium, security guards checked under their vehicle for explosive devices.

Mark was allowed to re-enter AF House as his parents considered whether they would allow him to stay on the show.

By Wednesday, they had made their decision. Flanked by his parents and their lawyer, Mark went before the media to apologise to Mr Abhisit for criticising him.

He admitted posting remarks at his Facebook page in language inappropriate for a teenager towards an elder: "I wrote those remarks as a teenager would - I did not use much discretion or judgement," said a po-faced Mark, who offered two wais of apology to Mr Abhisit, who shares the same nickname of Mark.

Worse, in the eyes of many Thais, were allegations that Mark had also maligned the monarchy.

Comments making a veiled reference to the King appeared on Mark's Facebook page. They were picked up by media outlets opposed to the red shirts, as further evidence that Mark was a bad person.

Mark, however, denies ever posting the comments. He says someone hacked his Facebook page and left comments masquerading as his own. "I would never dream of doing such a thing," said Mark, whose family has laid a complaint with police about the Facebook interference.

Department of Special Investigation director-general Tharit Pengdit said investigators will look into Mark's alleged anti-monarchy comments.

Mark's father, Wattanyu, insisted they were loyal Thais. Members of his family had worked in the service of the royal family, and he had taught his son to uphold the proper values.

Just days before - amid those swirling media allegations that Mark had betrayed himself in his anti-Abhisit comments as a red shirt supporter - Mr Wattanyu said he was afraid for his son's safety, and may have to send him abroad.

"After he leaves AF House, I don't know if Mark can stay in Thailand any longer," Mr Wattanyu told the Matichon newspaper. Since the news broke, the family had received threats by letter and by phone.

"We might have to send him overseas, though we don't have any relatives abroad, so it would be expensive," he said.

A contrite Mark said he would like Thais to unite and put social divisions behind them.

"I would like society to give me another chance ... and for the country's youth to do good on behalf of the King, so the country will be at peace," he said.

Mr Wattanyu said he would like the opportunity to escort his son to see Mr Abhisit personally, so Mark could apologise to the other Mark for making his rude comments.

Prime Minister Abhisit said he held no grudges against Mark for his Facebook comments, but would like the episode to serve as a lesson to youth about the need to address adults politely.

"It's not necessary for him to make an apology in person. I am a public figure, and have to accept criticism as part of the job, though it should be couched in appropriate language, no matter who is making it," said Mr Abhisit.

"Mark, too, is a public figure, so has to be careful of what he says," he said. -

2.

Joy, Mack

Actress Sirilak "Joy" Pongchoke will fight charges brought against her in relation to the yellow shirt occupation of Suvarnabhumi Airport in late 2008.

She is asking fans to keep an eye on the media after news emerged that she is among 79 People's Alliance for Democracy supporters to be charged in relation to the airport occupation.

Charges were issued against PAD leaders and their supporters, including Joy, last week. They have been told to report to police between July 28 and Sept 6.

Joy's boyfriend Winai "Mack" Wattanaras said news of the charges had left Joy in tears. She vowed to fight on, however, as she believed they were unfair.

"Joy never took sides, or did anything out of emotion or anger," he wrote in a Twitter message about his girlfriend.

She mounted the PAD stage to defend the "higher institution".

Since she declared her allegiance to the PAD cause, Joy had received many offers to enter politics, but turned them down, as it was too dirty a business.

The Manager/ASTV newspaper said Joy had been summoned to hear charges of taking part in the illegal occupation of the airport, breaching an emergency decree and terrorism.

In a Twitter message, Joy thanked fans for her support, and said she had asked Mack to look after the legal side of the case for her.

She asked fans to send her any critical messages mentioning her in the media or on the internet, with a view to taking possible legal action for defamation.