The “Happiness” Festival offered selfies with dancing women soldiers. Photo by Steve Storey, copyright @Demotix (6/4/2014) As part of its commitment to “return happiness to the people”, Thailand’s coup regime is broadcasting all 64 World Cup matches live on the country’s free television station. Since last week, “happiness” festivals have been organized across the country providing free haircuts, free food, free massages, and free health check-ups. Soldiers entertained big crowds in traditional protest venues. The junta was been taking these steps to improve public support for the coup. The free telecast of World Cup games was cheered by many Thais, a number of whom were unable to watch the games in 2012 due to TV licensing issues. When the army launched a coup on May 22, 2014, it quickly seized control of TV stations and allowed only the airing of army announcements and patriotic songs from the Cold War era. It has since then eased restrictions on some TV programs but mainstream media remain strictly regulated. The junta also announced the free screening of “The Legend of King Naresuan”, a film about a revered leader who defended and expanded the reach of the Thai kingdom. The proposed train fare hike was also delayed to make the people happy. With the aim of restoring “happiness” to the Thai people, the Army held its first afternoon entertainment festival at Victory Point. Photo by Steve Storey, copyright @Demotix (6/4/2014) Earlier, Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha delivered a speech defending the coup and vowing to “return happiness to the people”: We understand that we are living in a democratic world, but is Thailand ready in terms of people, form and method? We need to solve many issues; from administration to budget system, corruption, and even the starting point of democracy itself – the election. Parliamentary dictatorship has to be removed. All these have caused conflict and unhappiness among Thai people. What we are doing today is to try and bring everything back to normal. We intend to return happiness to everyone living in Thailand, both Thais and foreigners. In order to achieve reconciliation, some activities will have to be carried out including recreational and entertainment activities so the people are relaxed and ready to talk. We want to stop all conflicts. The government has set-up numerous reconciliation centers in a bid to end the conflict between warring political forces. Prior to the free airing of the World Cup games, the junta ordered TV stations to play the song “Return happiness to the people” written by the army general. The lyrics of the song, allegedly penned in just one hour, reflected the message of the army to the people. Below is an unofficial translation of some parts of the song: Let us be the ones who step in, before it is too late To bring back love, how long will it take? Please, will you wait? We will move beyond disputes We will do what we promised. We are asking for a little more time. All we ask of you is to trust and have faith in us The land will be good soon Let us return happiness to you, the people A military doctor hands medicine to a man who attends the reconciliation event at Victory Monument. Photo by Yostorn Triyos, copyright @Demotix (6/4/2014) General Prayuth also asked anti-coup protesters to raise five fingers instead of the three-finger “Hunger Games” salute: There have been gestures of holding 3 fingers in protest – that is fine. I have no conflict with you. But perhaps it would more appropriate if you can do this within your homes rather than in public. But how about if we all raise 5 fingers instead – 2 for the country, and the other 3 to signify religion, monarchy and the people. Raising 3 fingers is copying foreign films, but we should be proud of own identity. Since day one of the coup, the army has banned protests and the public gathering of five or more people. Despite this prohibition, however, many Thais continued to organize creative forms of protest actions.