US officials blinded by their own policy

This article does Thai journalism proud. Pornpimol Kanchanalak expresses her contention against America rationally and freely without the hung-up beliefs offered by many over-educated and under-educated Thais. Her anecdotes and rhetoric are so appropriate and refreshing – “sanctimonious attitude”, “continues to senselessly sermonise its simpleton mantra”, and “President Donald Trump”. The prospect of a socialist president should also shake their arrogance and prod them to become more like the Europeans.

However, Khun Pornpimol has overlooked the fact that US government officials, including its ambassador in Thailand, are barred by law from explicitly supporting a coup or granting money to a regime installed through coup. This is good policy, but it has somewhat blinded US officials from understanding our hiccup in suspending free speech and democracy temporarily. The US reminder at least might help frustrate any attempt to perpetuate the “temporary” situation. In return, we should temporarily forgive these officials for their ignorance of our necessity.

Songdej Praditsmanont