Activists have celebrated Christmas with the birth of ‘Fairly Tell’, a new organisation offering former prisoners and activists space to voice their stories of injustice.

On 25 December 2016, Pornthip ‘Kolf’ Mankhong, a former lèse-majesté prisoner, gathered with fellow former prisoners, activists and supporters at Ma Share Doo shop to open the new activist group Fairly Tell.

Fairly Tell aims to support the mental and social well-being of former political prisoners and activists, by offering them a community to share their struggles. It also aims to disseminate these stories to a wider audience and to future generations. The group was formed by Pornthip, her sister Kamonchanok Mankhong and their friend Chatsuda Hanbang.     

Pornthip described the social isolation former prisoners face upon return to society, with stigma particularly acute for lèse-majesté committers.

“The group was founded because we don’t want to lose anyone in the fight for justice. We know that political activists bear a lot of expectations; to fight for justice is too much already. I don’t want to lose anyone because of the loneliness of this society … The program will be for exchanging opinions, healing minds and strengthening the imagination. This will a place for prisoners, not only political prisoners, who need advice and support to begin their life again after their release.”

The group gathered to celebrate Pornthip’s first Christmas after having been released from detainment. The activist had been arrested soon after the 2014 coup for performing in ‘The Wolf Bride’, a satirical play staged at Thammasat University, and was only released August this year.

The event opened with a gift-giving game. Afterwards, Pornthip read a self-penned story, ‘This Christmas Doesn’t Have a Fairy Tale’, the story of a woman brutalised by society. The event finished with an exchanging of stories by people who have been threatened by authorities for their political activities. Pornthip says the stories elicited tears from the audience.

“We wanted to share the stories and experiences of people who have been fighting on this path to the next generation —not only on social medias but in real life where we can discuss and exchange different opinions. For university students or other people interested in social issues, the story and experience of activists and those who have faced injustice can be records. Their stories are as important as a major history.”

You can follow Fairly Tell on their Facebook Page. Ma Share Doo is a shop where activists can exhibit and sell their products to raise funds for their activities.