2PM's Nichkhun is attracting attention following his Tweet supporting the protesters in Thailand.
On October 17, Saturday, the Thai idol tweeted in support of the pro-democracy protesters in Thailand, his native country. Nickhun's tweet reads, "Violence does not help in this process whatsoever." He also wrote, "I hope everyone is taking care of themselves and stays safe."
The tweet was retweeted over 450,000 times in just a day. Many netizens applauded Nichkhun for using his voice as an idol to promote anti-violence and his support for the democratic movement in Thailand, all while encouraging the protesters with kind words.
Read netizens' comments here:
"We support Nichkhun and his ideas!"
"We hope that Nichkhun's influence on social media helps bring peace!"
"A good example of how social media can be used for democratic expression."
"Similar incidents like these happen all over the world... We hope that others can also receive strength from his tweet."
"I like how he voices his opinions even from afar."
Additionally, CLC's Sorn also shared a tweet in which she hopes people will stay safe. She also says she will continue to keep praying for a better solution for Thailand. She has sice changed her profile picture to a black screen, with many people speculating she did so in solitude with Thailand. Check out her tweet here:
For those who do not know what is happening in Thailand, here is a short rundown. Since the coup in May 2014, Thai people have been forced to live in a military dictatorship, also known as a junta government. With that, Thai people have been oppressed and unable to speak their thoughts. The current military government has also enforced media censorship and banned all public gatherings.
Speaking up can cost people their lives. Activities and students who have voiced out their critiques against the government have faced horrible consequences - they were threatened, some were attacked, and others disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Many have claimed that the government will also go after your loved ones if you speak up against the junta.
Their freedom of speech has been oppressed, with Thailand and its people being forced to say silent out of fear. In 2017, the government passed the current consitituion, in which authoritianism is practice and abuse of power is practiced ad the price of people's liberty and basic human rights.
Back in August, it was reported that Thai netizens were spamming the Instagrams of Thai idols to get them to speak up about what is happened in Thailand. Many big name idols were targeted for this, including 2PM's Nichkhun. Other idols who got spammed include BLACKPINK's Lisa, WayV's Ten, CLC's Sorn, GOT7's Bambam and China-based idol BonBon Girls 303's Nene.
Netizens spammed their Instagram by tagging them in screenshots of Thai news, infographics of what is happeneing in the Thailand, and photos with QR codes that leads to a website where people can learn about what is happening in Thailand.
Currently, only Nichkhun and Sorn have made any mention of what is happening in Thailand.
