Piyabutr Warns Politics Has Become Pure Entertainment
Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary‑general of the Progressive Movement, warned that Thai politics has turned into entertainment, with politicians acting like performers to attract online attention. He said the trend distracts from substantive issues and turns parliamentary proceedings into reality‑show‑style confrontations driven by drama rather than policy.
Piyabutr further argues that the demand for entertainment has forced politicians to act like performers, needing to be viral, use harsh language, and create moments that feel like a drama after the news. He points out that live broadcasts of committee meetings, intended to increase transparency, have instead become reality‑show spectacles where the focus is on winning arguments and pleasing viewers rather than on the substance of the legislation. Likewise, when the public wants politicians to appear relatable, they are pressured to behave like everyday people—singing, dancing, and presenting themselves as influencers or YouTubers—shifting the emphasis from policy to personality.
