„I know my case is symbolic, and I‘m happy about that. There is good that comes from somebody standing up and wanting to make change – sooner or later people will start to realise that.“

To understand why Kanthoop might be so vilified is to understand Thai society. Twice a day – at 8am and 6pm – time stands still in this nation of 69 million as the national anthem sputters out of public loudspeakers and everyone is expected to stand in silent salute.