Everyone has been affected by the 6 baht per liter fuel price increase, which sparked heavy criticism on social media, including from leading luk thung singer Hai Arpaporn Nakhonsawan. She was also impacted and posted angrily, “Complaining doesn’t help (crocodile emoji). What can we do? The price rose by 6 baht, so what now? Damn... life must go on!” However, this led to backlash because it was linked to her performing the song “I've Chosen” for the Bhumjaithai Party, whose leader is Anutin Charnvirakul, who is currently the Prime Minister. Recently, Thairath Entertainment’s Jack Green interviewed Hai Arpaporn about the controversy.
Asked about her post on fuel prices, Srarthut jokingly said, “Was that a crocodile emoji in your post?”
“(Laughs) A little crocodile, yes. But that’s how I feel. I was thinking, hey, the new batch hasn’t arrived yet, so what’s going on? Don’t be selfish. Okay, I know we can’t say everything. We can store fuel for up to 100 days or three months, and we’re all in the same boat. That night I thought about how much debt there is. I didn’t get home until 3 a.m. My mom also drove around three places the day the price increased.
If it was 5 a.m., the price would have jumped 6 baht immediately. Mom drives herself and checked three places at 3 a.m., but all gas stations were closed except one where she usually fills up. At that moment, I felt exhausted because she had driven to three places. The next morning, I just wanted to share my feelings like anyone else. We need help from the government. We all hope the government will take care of us.”
“Then everyone criticized me and linked me to the government. About me singing for them, it’s a job (emphasized). Everyone needs to distinguish before typing—think a little differently. If someone hires me to work, I do it all. If I’m hired today, I must go. If it’s a monk ordination event, I go. If it’s a bar event, I go. We all have to make a living. But people are quick to connect things. I’m on social media, so I accept it.”
“I’m used to this kind of situation. But people who don’t really know just want to type. They meddle a lot in others’ business without realizing their own. At that time, I was just doing singing gigs. And I didn’t sing for only one party. You know how it is (laughs). I sang for three parties.”
Asked about the controversy over the song “I've Chosen”?
“That was just work. Whoever hires me, I work for them. Because we are workers, right? Let’s be clear on that.”
Still, can you criticize the government?
“I don’t mind. I’ve said it before: whoever is in power, whether I support them or not, if they don’t do well, everyone is a voice. Everyone is media now. We can speak because we have democracy, right? So we speak what is right. Speak out, but don’t go too far. Stay within our limits.”
Besides fuel prices, do you want to say anything to the government amid rising costs?
“Oh, this is the most important. It affects the whole world, not just us. But how do we sustain the nation? I entrust the country to the government, but we must also take care of ourselves. The government is important because we elect people to represent us. We expect that. Those in power who can make decisions, please don’t make us suffer more. We must criticize too. I might have a louder voice than some, so I must say what’s right. Why talk about what’s wrong? It’s tiring. We have to buy food and water ourselves; no one gives it to us. Fuel is expensive; we must manage. The economy is bad; we must survive. I ask everyone to take care of themselves. Sometimes, adults can’t always look after us, as we know.”
Will you raise chickens, Senator, as suggested?
“I have to. I’m planning to build a garden home but haven’t started yet because I’m busy working. I’ll plant vegetables, raise chickens and ducks. I have two places but will wait and take care of myself first.”