Viraya: I'm protecting the institution

1) You spoke so well on stage about wanting to contribute to the country and peace. Do you say that every time you speak?

I don't go up on stage very often but I went up [on the red-shirt stage] to offer moral support as I regard us as all being Thai people and children of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen. I don't want to push them [the people] away from Their Majesties.

2) You're regarded as an aristocrat but you've appeared twice on the stage of underprivileged people. Don't you feel out of place ?

I have never segregated people as low or high. People can't choose their station in life at birth. This is not the most important matter for human beings.

Loving kindness and a good heart are more important than pride.

3) Can you define the words phrai and ammart please?

Phrai may refer to grassroots people without titles, fame or money but ammart are high-ranking people with power, influence and money. However, I will never try to separate people who are phrai from the monarchic institution because all are Thais, loving the country and the monarchy.

4) Thai society is deeply divided today and you have chosen to take a side. How do you explain this?

I haven't taken a side. Some said my title [bestowed by His Majesty] should be removed, but I wouldn't worry if I was relieved of my title, although only His Majesty can do that. It's not right to think of my actions as divisive because I did it for the [monarchy] institution and to protect Thai people and to lead [red shirts] to be subjects of His Majesty and not to remove them from the institution.

So I don't think what I did was wrong - and as long as what I do is based on correctness, I will continue to do it.

5) Some media refer to you strongly such as 'The Biggest Female Phrai.' Do you feel angry at them?

(Smiles)... I'm not angry. They can say what they like. Those who like me speak kindly of me, and those who don't like me may curse me. I just heard about [this slight] from you because I haven't been reading newspapers for decades now and am not particularly interested in them... It's been a long time since I paid attention to other people's words.

6) And what shirt-colour are you wearing today?

I have no colour preference. As I said on stage, Thais today should not divide themselves into different colours. We have been stuck for three years now and our people are getting poorer. We should unite and see what we can positively contribute to society and let us do it.

7) Thanphuying, are you sure that you are coping well with all the pressure?

I am not afraid. I consider what I'm doing to be the right path. If my task in protecting the [monarchy] institution is regarded as wrong - then I will accept [the consequences].