The government can\u2019t get away with abuses of power if the people don\u2019t let it. But if the people are ready to throw a high-five and a chest-bump whenever the government stomps on liberty, then we have what we have in our beloved Thailand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Prayut Chan-o-cha Regime can count on half the country (generally speaking) to support it in whatever it does. As such, the Prayut Regime can get away with whatever it does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the military coup in 2014 to the military constitution in 2017 to the funny-calculator election in 2019 to the imprisonment of pro-democracy activists in 2021 and this week, when the Prayut Regime decided it\u2019s time to throw academic David Streckfuss out of the kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former yellow-shirt People\u2019s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Sondhi Limtongkul is not a supporter of the Prayut Regime but a supporter of the traditional establishment. Therefore, often, their interests align.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sondhi is one of the most influential voices among Thailand\u2019s traditionalists. A media veteran and a smooth and powerful talker, he knows exactly how to tell a story, and his show Sondhi Talk is the bible to Thailand\u2019s traditionalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor David Streckfuss has been in Thailand for some three decades. He has a Ph.D. in Southeast Asian History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is the country director of The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He\u2019s a professor at Khon Kaen University, wrote a book on the lese majeste law, is an author at The Isaan Recorder, and an active human rights activist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recently, immigration police went to meet with the university rector. After the meeting was done, it was decided, the university will no longer give a work permit to Professor Streckfuss. (Because, you know, standing up for academic freedom isn\u2019t really a thing around here.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Streckfuss became the latest casualty in the Prayut Regime\u2019s slash-and-burn policy against dissenting voices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As usual, the progressive voices in Thailand cry foul, while the traditionalist voices yell \u201cchai-yo!\u201d and why wouldn\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sondhi explained why Professor Streckfuss must get booted from the Kingdom. Here are some quotes from Sondhi:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a former CIA agent embedded in Khon Kaen University for 27 years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not surprised why so many Khon Kaen University professors are of the mindset to overthrow the monarchy institution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDavid Streckfuss is a secret American CIA agent behind the Isan Region\u2019s movement to overthrow the monarchy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDavid Streckfuss is behind Pai Daodin.\u201d
[Pai is a leading pro-democracy activist currently jailed on lese majeste charges.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDavid Streckfuss requested a grant from the NED. Do you remember the NED? It\u2019s a branch of the State Department. It\u2019s the civilian version of the CIA. It\u2019s called the National Endowment for Democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thus, the conclusion is obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put \u201cCIA\u201d and \u201coverthrow the monarchy\u201d together, keep repeating the name \u201cDavid Streckfuss,\u201d and voila, to Thailand\u2019s traditionalists, this must be true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, David Streckfuss must be booted out of the kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, combine all the pro-government media and influencers together, have them all repeat the same thing, over and over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result is, the Prayut Regime gets away with whatever it does because half of the country (generally speaking) supports whatever it does.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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