Mango Sticky Rice on Coachella Stage, Milli and Her Ultimate Soft Power for Thailand

Mango Sticky Rice on Coachella Stage, Milli and Her Ultimate Soft Power for Thailand

The last day of Songkarn holiday this year is hot as fire and so is Milli Danupha Khanatheerakul’s performance at Coachella Valley Music Arts Festival 2022. As the first Thai solo artist to perform on the stage, she did not fail to deliver a powerful and witty performance, infused with the soft power of mango sticky rice.

“Who wants mango and rice that is sticky”

One particular moment that serves as the pinnacle of soft power for Thailand is the catchy lines talking about the renowned Thai dessert, mango and sticky rice, with the lyric goes on with Thai sweet-tooth culture with eating sweet fruits such as durian, jackfruit, or longan, with coconut flavoured glutinous rice, highlighted with Milli eating mango sticky rice live on stage.

The latest report shows google search for “Mango Sticky Rice” has increased by 100%. 

Aside from the flavorful part which concludes the performance, the other part leading up to it  reflected something more serious. Her ingenious lyrics captured many Thais’ opinions, comments on the political issue, and tackled the misconception of Thailand. So here are the meaning behind her lyrics from the show: 

• “The country’s weather has 3 seasons: hot, very hot, and f**king hot”
  The message, spoken in Thai with an English accent , in her opening verse is about Thailand’s weather that is very hot all year round while growing hotter and hotter every year. The growing heat in Thailand also alludes to the fact that many provinces in Thailand do not have enough green area ratio. According to WHO, there should be a minimum of 9 sqm urban green space for each person,  but Bangkok records having 6 sqm per person with some cities such as Nonthaburi as low as 3 with the problem of illegal deforestation always lurking at the corner. 
• “Understand one thing: I didn’t ride an elephant.”
  The short phrase reflects the misconception you often face as Thais, even in 2022 is that we did not ride an elephant as a mode of transport. Fun fact: Thailand’s BTS sky train started its operation on December 5th 1999.
• “Kinnaree post lamps, each worth 100,000 Baht, Thai railway trains dating back to King Rama 5th era, have been used for 120 years. Oh vintage I like it…”  

The lyrics address the icon of Thailand’s corruption and underdevelopment that are often mentioned throughout nationwide news and online communities. The infamous post lamp with Kinaree, a mythical creature, placed on the top of which Racha Thewa tambon administrative organisation spent over 642 million baht for 6,773 lamp posts with only one company involved. Thailand is the first nation in SouthEast Asia to establish rail system but it is often criticised for not evolving in a significant way since then, while the statement is a bit of a stretch because the first train used only comes out on the rail for only special occasion. However, the slow development of the Thai railway system is not too far from the truth.

• “Country is good. People is good. Our food is good. But then our government is bood.”

‘Bood’ means rot in Thai and therefore requires no further explanation on what she intended to say. 

Milli’s outspoken attitude towards political issues is nothing new since she has always been voicing her opinion, actively calling out on the issues and even has been charged for commenting on the Thai government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The hashtag #SaveMilli was trending on twitter at that time, like she is now trending again with #Milliliveatcoachella. 

References:

• https://mgronline.com/greeninnovation/detail/9620000039120
• https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/388120/locos-finally-run-out-of-puff
• https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2130107/tambon-accused-of-graft-in-purchase-of-kinnaree-topped-street-lights
• https://workpointtoday.com/milli22072021/