Others often mimic the ways of the US
To many people in the world, the US is the biggest, most important country there is, and what the US government does is not only good to copy, but a must to copy.
Many Americans do not understand the downside to this, that things like surveillance done in the US in responsible and first-class ways are sure to be copied elsewhere in irresponsible and low-class ways.
For example, when anti-money laundering efforts in the US were put in place, Thailand followed suit with the Assets Scrutiny Committee, which was less than responsible and first class.
When the US sneezes, countries like Thailand catch colds, and what is done for virtuous reasons in the US is sometimes (or often) done in knockoff versions elsewhere for nefarious ends.
No matter how you cut it, increased surveillance hits freedom of speech and the news media, Thailand’s greatest assets, the hardest.
Guy Baker
Bangkok
