The Thai Foreign Ministry in Bangkok has called home Thai ambassadors and consuls general from 22 countries in a bid to find ways to work with their host countries to repatriate academics and others critical of the junta.
Many in academic or other posts overseas have been deeply critical of the new regime headed by Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha in the wake of the May 22 coup. The deepening crackdown has forced as many as 350 activists to appear before the junta for “talks” aimed at curbing dissent before being arrested and detained for up to seven days.
A meeting of the ambassadors and consuls general is to be held at the Thai foreign ministry on Wednesday to discuss ways of forcing the return of activists and others who are abroad. An unknown number of activists are said to have fled to Cambodia to avoid the junta.
(...)
There would seem to be little the Thai Foreign Ministry could actually do to compel its citizens abroad to return home from exile in democrat countries. Those countries would be unlikely to return lawful academics or others to a country that would likely throw them in jail for exercising free speech.
Observers in Thailand speak of “pressure” being applied on dissidents and critics, with many people afraid to speak out for fear of facing military tribunals with extraordinary power.
“They have told people to keep silent,” said one source. “And most are doing so. They are afraid.” Full story...
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Many in academic or other posts overseas have been deeply critical of the new regime headed by Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha in the wake of the May 22 coup. The deepening crackdown has forced as many as 350 activists to appear before the junta for “talks” aimed at curbing dissent before being arrested and detained for up to seven days.
A meeting of the ambassadors and consuls general is to be held at the Thai foreign ministry on Wednesday to discuss ways of forcing the return of activists and others who are abroad. An unknown number of activists are said to have fled to Cambodia to avoid the junta.
(...)
There would seem to be little the Thai Foreign Ministry could actually do to compel its citizens abroad to return home from exile in democrat countries. Those countries would be unlikely to return lawful academics or others to a country that would likely throw them in jail for exercising free speech.
Observers in Thailand speak of “pressure” being applied on dissidents and critics, with many people afraid to speak out for fear of facing military tribunals with extraordinary power.
“They have told people to keep silent,” said one source. “And most are doing so. They are afraid.” Full story...
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