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Amid claims the government is engaged in psychological warfare, those who have had their attitudes 'adjusted' say the tactics only show weakness.
By NANCHANOK WONGSAMUTH
Bangkok Post
27 Sep 2015 at 01:25
Excerpt:
The daily announcements on television started on May 22 last year, the day of the coup. The names of individuals asked to report to the junta were read out and a sheet of paper outlining the date, location and time of their appointment was shown.
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Those who were “invited” to report to the military were known to undergo “attitude adjustment” sessions. The message was clear: do not criticise the junta.
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More than a year later, the junta has failed to silence its critics, and the latest round of “attitude adjustments” has increased in intensity. At the same time, the military government faces the challenge of winning approval from the international community as prime minister and coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to speak at the United Nations General Assembly this week.
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According to Amnesty International, the authorities’ use of power to detain people without charge or trial violates the right to liberty and constitutes arbitrary detention.
This is prohibited under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Thailand is a state party.
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Prajak Kongkirati, a lecturer at Thammasat University’s political science faculty, called the latest round of attitude adjustments a “pre-emptive move to silence critics”, and questioned the timing.
“There might be some internal conflict at the moment within the regime, or they might be afraid of a sudden change,” he said. “Using tactics such as attitude adjustment means you are insecure.”
.
To read more, click the following link:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/708280/military-mind-games-play-out-under-strict-insecurity
The daily announcements on television started on May 22 last year, the day of the coup. The names of individuals asked to report to the junta were read out and a sheet of paper outlining the date, location and time of their appointment was shown.
.
Those who were “invited” to report to the military were known to undergo “attitude adjustment” sessions. The message was clear: do not criticise the junta.
.
More than a year later, the junta has failed to silence its critics, and the latest round of “attitude adjustments” has increased in intensity. At the same time, the military government faces the challenge of winning approval from the international community as prime minister and coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to speak at the United Nations General Assembly this week.
.
According to Amnesty International, the authorities’ use of power to detain people without charge or trial violates the right to liberty and constitutes arbitrary detention.
This is prohibited under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Thailand is a state party.
.
Prajak Kongkirati, a lecturer at Thammasat University’s political science faculty, called the latest round of attitude adjustments a “pre-emptive move to silence critics”, and questioned the timing.
“There might be some internal conflict at the moment within the regime, or they might be afraid of a sudden change,” he said. “Using tactics such as attitude adjustment means you are insecure.”
.
To read more, click the following link:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/special-reports/708280/military-mind-games-play-out-under-strict-insecurity
