The prize recognises those “who engage in creative dissent, exhibiting courage and creativity to challenge injustice and live in truth”, the international rights group noted. The Thai musicians are among this year’s three laureates, which also include Ramy Essam, an Egyptian musician in exile, and Venezuelan political cartoonist Rayma Suprani. The international civil rights group awarded its creativity award to the Thai artists whose music criticised Thailand’s junta and justice system. RAD were threatened with legal action for their 2018 hit song “Prathet Ku Me” (“My Country’s Got …”). Its video was downloaded more than 63 million times worldwide and made a great impression on Thailand’s social media users.

Source: The Nation Bangkok May 27, 2019 19:30 UTC