Talking to the snake

From Arun, March 12, 2018
Title: “Thanathorn-Nitrat”
On the snake: Authoritarianism

[Refers to the Future Forward political party established by businessman Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit that has joined hands with various young generation and academic groups including the “Enlightened jurists” or Nitirat—academics from Thammasart University who openly condemn the lese majeste law. The party announces it will change Thai politics, fight dictatorship and return democracy.
We are not sure what the allusion to the snake is. Is he talking or kissing it?
Critics see the party as another attempt by pro-Thaksin politicians to use socialist or revolutionary rhetoric to threaten traditional Thai institutions that resist Thaksin’s goal of being pardoned.]