The issue of celebrities expressing political opinions has long sparked debate. Many believe they should stay out of politics, while many others think they have the right to express views within appropriate boundaries.
Recently, actress Bowie Atthama Cheewanichphan openly shared her thoughts on this topic, asking, “Why shouldn’t celebrities get involved in politics?”
Someone once told Bowie, ‘As an actor, you shouldn’t be involved in national affairs.’ Honestly, Bowie has never thought about getting involved with ‘politicians’ because she understands this field—some genuinely work for the country, others may have hidden agendas, which we cannot fully know.
But what Bowie expresses today isn’t about individuals; it’s about ‘protecting the nation’ ️.
On a day when the nation’s core institutions—‘Nation, Religion, Monarchy’ (which have preserved the country’s sovereignty and stability to our generation)—need protection,
for Bowie, this is not just a ‘choice’ to make or not, but a direct ‘duty and responsibility.’
Throughout her acting career, every baht earned and the love she received came from the support of the people of this ‘nation’ who gave her the chance to stand where she is today.
When the country needs protection or the right voice, Bowie considers it her duty to do her best to give back to all the people who have supported her for nearly 20 years.
Bowie does not take sides with ‘politicians’ but stands with the ‘nation’ that belongs to all Thai people.
..Bowie.. 懶”
Previously, Bowie also shared her views under the topic “What kind of democracy causes people to stop associating just because we have ‘gratitude’?”
She posted a long message on Facebook saying, “A younger person messaged me for advice because they were criticized and pressured by some classmates simply for having ‘gratitude’ and being ‘proud’ of their roots. I want to share my perspective as someone who has faced choosing a social circle before.
I deeply understand young people at this age—being accepted by friends is very important. Psychologically, it’s natural to feel unsettled when pushed out of a group. But from my experience, as you mature, you learn an important truth: ‘You don’t need many friends.’ Having many friends but hiding your true self is like imprisoning yourself socially.
Interestingly, I feel that having a smaller circle of friends actually brings higher, quality ‘energy’.
Good friends accept our true selves and standpoints, even if they differ, with respect still maintained. If friendship requires losing your principles, it might not be true friendship.
When we filter our surroundings to have ‘positive’ energy, our hearts receive that same ‘positive’ energy, which helps push our lives forward in a positive direction.
‘Avoiding bad company’ was the first blessing in the Buddha’s ‘38 Blessings.’ Teachers say ‘bad company’ doesn’t always mean evil people but those who lead us toward decline—those who pressure us to abandon ‘gratitude’ to be accepted. That too can be a form of decline.
However, my ‘not associating’ is a form of ‘protection,’ not ‘hatred.’ I can still talk, greet, and work with them and have compassion, but I might not want closeness and wouldn’t mind if they avoid me.
With the ‘gratitude energy’ that this young person has, I believe if they choose friends, they will attract people with similar ‘positive energy.’ Gratitude is a powerful force and will always protect us.
Being ‘cut off’ by some groups due to differing standpoints can be a ‘gift’ disguised as ‘sadness,’ as it filters life’s space to keep only those who ‘love us for who we truly are,’ not for who we ‘conform to be.’
Having fewer friends is not failure but a ‘filtering’ to make space for true friends.
‘True democracy must start with respecting the ‘heart’ of friends, even if there are differences.’ If someone stops associating with us just because we are grateful to the land, that’s a sign to be thankful that ‘the first blessing’ is at work in our lives.
A small circle of high-quality friendships is better than a large one that makes us lose ourselves.
..Bowie.. 懶”
Additionally, Bowie Atthama posted her thoughts on the topic “IO: The Process of ‘Silencing’ Celebrities—An Analysis from My Own Experience.”
She wrote, “Following the previous post where a student consulted me about being afraid to express love for the nation and institutions for fear of being ostracized by friends, plus seeing leaked images exposing the IO process of political parties currently in the news,
I want to use this space to share my ‘personal experience’ as one of the first actors to face what I understand as this ‘silencing process.’”
Several years ago, at the start of a wave opposing the nation’s core institutions, I openly showed that I ‘love and am grateful’ to these institutions that have maintained the country’s stability until today.
(My gratitude comes from working in many provinces and witnessing firsthand how the King’s actions have helped locals overcome hardships and improve their lives.)
When I began taking a stance opposing the narratives they tried to create, I noticed certain patterns, which I decode as follows.
1. The mechanism of ‘targeting’ and orchestrated attacks that are not spontaneous.
At that time, when I posted about love for the nation and institutions (without attacking anyone), some posts triggered this process.
- Targeting: It’s likely that monitors found my posts and signaled their groups to focus on my page.
- Wave of attacks: Then hundreds of comments would flood in simultaneously, though before that, comments were positive. These included normal words, insults, confusing distorted opinions (like incoherent speech), threats to boycott products, or stop following (even if they might not actually follow).
- Goal: Likely to intimidate celebrities into backing off or stopping posts, as harsher posts increase emotional impact on page owners.
2. The ‘illusion’ of representing the ‘majority.’
I think this is an ‘illusion.’ These people are just a small group trying to appear as the ‘majority’ of the country, but in reality, they are just mobilizing forces to create chaos in our space.
3. Standing firm in ‘Right View’... and goodness will protect us.
I believe my actions were sincere expressions of ‘love for the nation’ and ‘gratitude,’ which I am confident is ‘Right View.’ I did nothing wrong; it even generates ‘merit.’
Having determined this is right, why fear doing it? So I keep standing firm. The results are...
- Sponsors understand: During heavy attacks, work might have slowed, but afterward, I received continuous job offers for over two years.
- Later, when I shifted to real estate business, supporters continued to help promote and support consistently.
So, the threats of ‘boycotts’ didn’t have much long-term effect.
4. The IO counter-technique: ‘Delete rapidly’ to wear them out.
Finally, for celebrities, influencers, or anyone facing IO comment attacks, my method is ‘delete without reading.’ Have admins delete quickly (while they spend time typing, we spend seconds deleting!). The result is they rarely bother me again, probably because they get tired and move on to other targets.
I want to tell everyone facing similar fears that ‘doing good is not shameful’ and ‘gratitude is not wrong.’
Don’t let the loud voices of a few drown out the ‘conscience’ inside us.
When we consider our actions and see them as ‘Right View,’ we can stand firm gracefully.
The power of good intentions is great and has strong attraction—it will eventually draw good friends and opportunities to us, as it has for me.
‘Dare to do good and don’t be ashamed to be grateful,’ because in the end, ‘goodness’ will be the strongest shield protecting us.
I encourage everyone who wants to stand up for what is right.
..Bowie..”
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