Sulak Sivaraksa
The Meaning of Kraisak Choonhavan
It is difficult to find a Thai word that defines Kraisak Choonhavan. If we turn to English, the best word is probably “unique.” Or to borrow a Latin phrase, he is sui generis, which means “in a class by itself.” He is unlike others but not in an otherworldly or superhuman sense. Kraisak is still “all too human.” He is still “humane,” even though he was born into a powerful political and military family that was pretty much anti-democratic. His grandfather was at the forefront of the reactionary forces that obstructed Thai democracy after WWII. As prime minister, his father was also quite devious. In any case, Kraisak would not be offended by my criticisms. As he often says, “Ajarn Sulak has criticized not only my father but also my grandfather. But he is telling the truth.” How many of us can openly accept criticisms of our ancestors like him? Certainly not the offspring of Luang Wichitwathakan! They would get terribly upset and angry when someone criticized their father. In fact, Luang Wichit was probably worse than Kraisak’s father and grandfather. But this is not the place to delve into this matter.
Kraisak and I are from two different generations. I was born slightly after the 1932 Revolution, while he was born in 1947—the year that the Revolution was destroyed. He grew up among the powers-that-be in a family of politicians and military figures. It wasn’t spontaneous, but I grew up trying to resist or break free from the powers-thatbe. However, Kraisak questioned rather than justified his family’s massive power and wealth. He also openly admitted that he has benefited a lot from them. Kraisak grew up in South America. He was aware of the anti-capitalist, anti-authoritarian, and anti-imperialist struggles in the region. He understood well the perils posed by the American empire, and it didn’t diminish when he went to study in the US. Except for a tiny number of progressives who were studying in the US during the Vietnam War, most Thai graduates from American universities are uncritical of US foreign relations. Subsequently, Kraisak went to study in France and England. He met many intellectuals and further exposed himself to progressive thought in both countries. At the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, Kraisak studied with many progressive teachers. One of them was even murdered by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. I was fortunate to know many of Kraisak’s SOAS professors. When I was in exile because of the October ’76 mayhem, I met Kraisak in London. During this time, he went back home several times. He liked to joke that it would take quite a while before someone like me would be allowed back into the kingdom. I could sense his sincerity and 36
