“We closed it because we were concerned that some people were trying to abuse the public space for personal interest with ill intentions.”

I came across the above quote from today’s The Nation. Somkiart Tangmano was explaining to my colleague Subhatra Bhumiprabhas on the reason why he voluntarily closed down the Web board of Midnight University.

I find it ironic that a staunch advocate on the freedom of speech like Somkiart has to concede and curtail the very ideal he cherishes just because of verbal vandalism.

In recent months, I notice an exponential growth of rude langauge posted in various political Websites. I am no expert on why so many want to use expletives to air their views on Thai politics. I suspect, however, that foul words are like graffiti signalling the people’s pent-up emotions about the present political predicament.

For the past two years the Thai political landscape has seen one crisis erupting after crisis. It appears that society is like a ship drifting rudderless in stormy sea. As a consquence, the public mood has plunged into melancholy.

People see themselves as living on the fringe while politicians and activists are too obsess to see beyond their power struggle. At the difficult time of soaring prices for food and fuel, the government and its opponents are too busy trying to crush the other to address the people’s plight.

Politics in recent years is all about individual agendas. Oust Thaksin. Drive out the junta. Unseat Samak. Unless relevant parties come to their senses soon that politicians are supposed to lead and inspire, the political funk will persist.

The happiness index has steadily declined and the consumer confidence remains nosediving. This is happening regardless of the country’s strong fundamentals. Thailand may be physically strong but its spirit is sapping.

I wonder how many more expletives needed to shock politicians out of self-obsessed world and start serving the public.