Art scene in Bangkok blooms under junta rule

Bangkok

ON a wall in a northern suburb of Bangkok "Asin Acid" puts the finishing touches to a spray-painted picture of a colourful giant chicken holding a broken loudspeaker. "The loudspeaker represents the media. The media is trying to say something but is being interrupted," said Asin, who uses a pseudonym for his street art to protect his identity and said that he is inspired by Cranio, a graffiti artist from Brazil.

Thailand's military seized power nearly two years ago and has censored media, hauled in hundreds of critics for sessions of "attitude adjustment" and snuffed out protests. Junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha has threatened to shut down news outlets critical of his government and regularly scolds journalists who he considers straying from the official line.