Conscientious or not, Thais are Thais

FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2019

Re: “ ‘Conscientious Thai’ just a code word for yellow-shirt junta supporters”, Have Your Say, April 19

Earlier this month, I and other Thais delivered a warning to embassies against interfering in Thailand’s internal affairs. We succeeded.
As a result, when Future Forward Party (FFP) secretarygeneral Piyabutr Saengkanokkul reported to police on Wednesday to face two charges, only representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the National Human Rights Commission were present.
This time around, there were no diplomats as was the case when party leader Thanathorn Juang-roonruangkit reported to police.
This shows that foreigners can criticise Thai politics as they see fit, as is a norm in any democracy – but they can’t directly interfere in Thailand’s internal affairs.
As for Eric Bahrt, I have done my self-assigned duty in reminding him that he is just another foreigner. Therefore, I have nothing more to say to him on this matter.
Vint Chavala