“Uncle Tewa,” who threw fish sauce, warned that any corrupt government agency would be served fish sauce at their location; an anonymous person paid his fine on his behalf. Tags: [Protest, Election Commission, Corruption, Fine, Government Agencies]
Mr. Tewa Sritawan, 70, a former tennis coach from Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, threw a bag containing fish sauce at the wall in front of the Election Commission Office inside the Chaeng Watthana Government Center this morning. Patrol police from Unit 191 and officers from Thung Song Hong Police Station detained him for questioning and legal proceedings at Thung Song Hong Police Station.Tags: [Incident, Police, Election Commission, Detention, Nonthaburi]
Later in the afternoon of 12 Feb 2026, Pol. Col. Yutthasilp Karin, Superintendent of Thung Song Hong Police Station, and investigators conducted a preliminary interrogation of Mr. Tewa. He was charged under the Cleanliness and Orderliness Act and fined 500 baht. Reports indicate the fine was paid by an anonymous person. The questioning lasted more than an hour before Mr. Tewa left the interrogation room to have his fingerprints taken.Tags: [Legal Proceedings, Police, Fine, Cleanliness Act, Interrogation]
Mr. Tewa said he felt normal and not stressed. Regarding his actions, he said they stemmed from dissatisfaction with the EC's work concerning election management. He confirmed this was not his first public protest, as he had previously warned the EC once but saw recurring problems. He questioned the organization's transparency and asked why the persistent issues remain unaddressed and allowed the organization to continue to "rot" repeatedly.Tags: [Protest, Election Commission, Transparency, Dissatisfaction, Accountability]
Today, he decided to leave his home in Muang Thong Thani, Pak Kret District, and walked to buy fish sauce at the Muang Thong market. He then walked over 7 kilometers to the EC office at Chaeng Watthana Government Center to commit the act. He insisted no one was behind him and he had never participated in any political activities. The choice of fish sauce was deliberate, intending to symbolize the EC as "rotten like fermented fish sauce."Tags: [Protest, Symbolism, Fish Sauce, Election Commission, Solo Action]
“Fermented fish sauce is more delicious the smellier it is, but the EC just smells bad,” Mr. Tewa said.Tags: [Quote, Symbolism, Election Commission, Protest]
Mr. Tewa added that he did not vote in the election on 8 Feb because he felt disconnected from politics and did not support any political party. He also cited the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which revealed the true nature of some politicians. He said if he sees any government agency acting dishonestly, he would repeat similar protests.Tags: [Election, Political Disengagement, Border Conflict, Protest, Government Integrity] “Any agency that acts improperly will definitely face me,” he said.Tags: [Warning, Protest, Government Agencies, Integrity]
After fingerprinting, Mr. Tewa showed reporters he had only 60 baht left after spending 40 baht to buy the fish sauce. Regarding his wearing of a white outfit and carrying a tennis racket, he explained that as a former tennis coach, white symbolizes his purity, and the racket was only to protect himself from dogs.Tags: [Personal Details, Protest, Symbolism, Tennis Coach]
Regarding criticism opposing his actions, Mr. Tewa briefly said:Tags: [Public Reaction, Criticism, Protest] “It’s up to them, but anything wrong shouldn’t be repeated.”Tags: [Response, Protest, Repetition] He further stated he had not yet decided whether to repeat such protests until he witnesses another wrongdoing.Tags: [Future Intentions, Protest, Accountability]
After the fine was imposed and fingerprints taken, police invited Mr. Tewa for additional questioning regarding political matters.Tags: [Police, Interrogation, Political Inquiry]
Reporters found that Mr. Tewa had previously carried out symbolic protests with fish sauce three times. The first was in 2023 at the Election Commission’s document receiving room. On the same day, he left a bag of fish sauce with security personnel at the Constitutional Court building but did not throw it.Tags: [Past Protests, Election Commission, Symbolic Acts, History]
The second incident occurred near the Cambodian Embassy, under the jurisdiction of Wang Thonglang Police Station.Tags: [Protest, Cambodian Embassy, Police Jurisdiction]
The third was the recent event where Mr. Tewa threw fish sauce at the wall of the Election Commission office entrance, leading to his detention and fine.Tags: [Latest Incident, Detention, Fine, Protest]