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Since absolute monarchy was abolished in Thailand in 1932
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a dozen of successful military coups have taken place.
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For eight decades, military rules have defined Thai political history.
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I am a journalist and on May 23rd of 2014
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the day after the coup, I was busy being interviewed about the coup
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on international news networks like the BBC, Al Jazeera, the Australian broadcasting corporation and more.
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I reminded the international audience that before the coup, General Prayut
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the coup leader, who was then the army chief
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had repeatedly told the public that there would be no military takeover.
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Then, there was a coup.
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Thus, he either lied or changed his heart.
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Either way, not very trustworthy.
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The next day, the newly installed junta issue its order number 6
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which was broadcasted on all televisions and radio stations at around a quarter past 9PM.
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The order which mentioned my name alone, was to have me report to the military
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the National Council for Peace and Order, the name of current military junta
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at 10 AM on the following day.
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I was subsequently detained without charges for seven days at a military camp
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just outside Bangkok as part of the junta’s attitude adjustment programs.
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But not before I taped my mouth.
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And it was raining on that day.
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I taped my mouth and shut my ears as a gesture against the violations of my rights in front of other journalists
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including the BBC correspondent.
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I had to sign an agreement under duress
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before being released that included a promise that I would not assist, participate or lead
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an anti-coup movement
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otherwise I would have my bank account frozen and be prosecuted.
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I had to also “agree” to seek their permission if ever I wished to travel abroad as long as they are still in power
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which included seeking their kind permission in order to be here in Oslo today.
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Maintaining the right to decide whether to allow you to travel abroad is one way the junta exerts its control
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over the rights to your mobility.
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At the departure immigration checkpoint
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the police would ask me if I have any written proof of the permission.
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and I always have to say "No," as they only tell you by phone.
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They force you to trust them
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And feel a measure of gratitude for their permission
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despite the fact that it was them who restricted your right in the first place.
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The day after I was released, an army colonel called me and asked me if I could stop tweeting.
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Knowing that this is one of the mediums I use to engage with the public
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and that I gained six thousand new followers on Twitter by not tweeting while I was incarcerated.
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I politely refused and said “I will try to tweet less frequently and less ferociously.”
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And then we struck a compromise.
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I believe the Thai junta has tried to maintain its dictatorial rule by exercising both hard and soft powers.
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The hard part must be familiar to many living in authoritarian societies.
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For example, in Thailand, political gatherings of five or more people are banned.
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Freedom of expression and press freedoms are restricted.
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Article 44 of the junta’s provisional charter gives their leader, Prayut
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power over the legislative, executive and judicial branches.
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There is a catch though.
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If more than five people assemble to express their support to Prayut
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it’s not regarded as a political gathering.
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Exercising his power under Article 44 of the Junta’s sponsored provisional constitution
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means Prayut can order just about anyone in Thailand to be executed
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without having to go through the court of Justice.
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He himself has become the law. Prayut also appointed Orwellian sounding officers
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called Law and Order Maintaining Officers
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to ensure that his rule is unchallenged.
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On the other hand, the Junta tries to maximize soft power to win the hearts and minds of the public
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or at least to create an illusion of a happy Thailand.
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Extra public holidays are added every now and then.
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So the people could enjoy longer holidays on top of occasional free open air concerts.
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This reminded me of how the first public park was created in France
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in order to distract the public from the matter of politics.
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These practices are in line with one of the key programs under the military rule.
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The promise to return happiness to the Thai people.
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If this happiness notion isn’t weak enough, there is at least a song supposedly written by Prayut himself
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Reminding the Thai public that he staged a coup to stop infighting and to return happiness to the Thai people.
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These practices are in line, as I said, with the song.
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The song is played on most radio and television stations
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everyday, several times a day for the past 12 months.
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Then, if you are not tired of him, there is Prayut’s Friday evening monologue
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appearing on all television stations.
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He would talk for an hour or longer.
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And more recently, if you still have the appetite, a tabloid was published by the regime
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featuring Prayut again.
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The military government even held a 6 month progress report mimicking elective administrations
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as if they will actually seek a future mandate from the public in the next election.
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They also promised to make Thailand more democratic.
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Never mind the irony of making such promise.
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Those defying and resisting the military regime have by now given up upon the idea
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that there could ever be a popular revolt to oust Prayut and the junta any time soon if ever.
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It takes courage and sacrifice to resist military rule. Because the price to be paid
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facing military court as civilians
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having your bank account frozen
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or having to flee into exile as some have done and have come to Europe.
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I have no personal hatred towards Prayut or his men. They are human.
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And when I was detained, I told the officer that I do not hold any personal grudges against them.
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But it’s just that I love freedom and democracy as a matter of principle.
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The presence of the military rule in Thailand is just the tip of the iceberg.
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Beneath this tip are million of Thais who support military rule.
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Who beg or even demanded a military takeover and who now want the junta
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to stay longer than their promise roadmap to return power to the people by next year.
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Thus our struggle is not just to overcome military dictatorship
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but to win back the hearts and the minds of the millions
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who repeatedly support authoritarianism over democracy.
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The millions of these authoritarian minded citizens, the junta supporters
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who want to be ruled in a climate of ersatz peace.
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Who have mistaken the rule by law for the rule of law.
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They in effect, forfeit their citizenships to be subject of the military ruler.
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And this is not the first, second, third, or even fourth time in history
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in Thailand that they have done so.
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Last Friday, on the first “anniversary of the coup,” 48 protestors were arrested.
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Mostly university students.
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One university student who was arrested subsequently wrote an account
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telling how the pro-coup supporter crowd was telling the police who were dragging the students away
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And I quote “Officers you have guns, why don’t you guys use it to shoot them.”
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Long after Prayut is gone
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these Thai people will continue to demand dictatorship over democratic governance
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because they have little tolerance, perseverance and have lost faith in democratic process
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and hold little regard for the majority of the people
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whom they regarded as less educated, less moral than they are.
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The path to true democracy in Thailand does not lie in trying to eradicate authoritarian minded people
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but in engaging them in debate
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deliberation and dialogue in hopes that they become more open minded and democratic as a result.
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Meanwhile, for those who support democracy
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they must not be arrogant
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or adhere to the narrow belief that the majority could just do whatever it likes
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without listening to the voices of the minority.
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With such a predicament
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that we must not have a sprint to oust military dictator
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but our long term struggles to convert millions from being further, for future military intervention
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as well as those who subscribe to a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes democracy.
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This requires perseverance, tolerance, and deep well optimism that people will be able to recognize
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that supporting authoritarianism, no matter how well intended, is not in the best term interest of society.
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I hope that these Thais can eventually become masters of their own destinies.
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Freed from the bondage they choose to impose on themselves and others.
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There is a limit to what heroic acts can do.
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Democracy cannot be sustained by a few brave individuals
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while the majority of the people chose to demote themselves
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to become near political spectators or cannon fodder for military rule.
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There is a time and place for heroic acts of defiance.
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But Thai society itself cannot keep democracy afford
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without the true participation, tolerance and contribution from the majority of its people.
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And this is what we must strive toward.
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ตอบลบFreedom Under Thai Military Rule _ Pravit Rojanaphruk - เสรีภาพภายใต้กฎของทหารไทย _ ประวิตรโรจนพฤกษ์
นักข่าวไทย ประวิทย์โรจนพฤกษ์ อธิบายการต่อสู้เพื่อประชาธิปไตยในประเทศของเขาต่อไปนี้
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พฤษภาคม 2014 ทหารทำรัฐประหาร พูดคุยเกี่ยวกับการจับกุมของเขาเอง โรจนพฤกษ์ประณามข้อ จำกัด เพื่อสิทธิในการชุมนุมการแสดงออกและการเคลื่อนไหวในประเทศไทยเช่นเดียวกับความพยายามของรัฐบาลที่จะสร้างภาพลวงตาของประเทศไทยที่มีความสุข โรจนพฤกษ์สรุปการนำเสนอของเขาด้วยการเตือนเราว่าความอดทนและการเจรจามีความจำเป็นถ้าประเทศไทยจะกลายเป็นประชาธิปไตยอีกครั้ง
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http://goo.gl/5TBf3a
Freedom, Thai Military, Rule, Pravit Rojanaphruk, เสรีภาพ, ภายใต้กฎ, ทหารไทย, ประวิตร โรจนพฤกษ์
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