A former MP of the Democrat Party was today subject to a so-called “attitude adjustment” session with a team of army and police personnel for his earlier criticism of the military.
Nakorn Machim was summoned to a coffee-shop in Nakhon Thai District of Phitsanuloke to meet with a group of army personnel from the Third Army Region, local government officials and policemen, led by Col Noppadol Watcharachitbovorn.
The main topics of the conversation reportedly dealt with the former Democrat MP’s recent meeting with representatives of the European Union in Thailand and his allegation posted on Facebook that the military conspired with the Democrat Party in toppling of the government of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra four years ago.
The colonel was reported to have told Nakorn that the military respected the ex-MP’s right to his opinion, but would rather see him convey to his constituencies what he intended to do if elected into the parliament.
He also insisted with Nikorn that the EU had made it clear that it would not interfere with the internal affairs of the country.
He also reminded Nakorn of the military’s role in resolving political conflicts and to make sure that the new government would carry on with the junta’s wish for peace and reconciliation.
Nakorn, on the other hand, suggested the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) hold the election on February 14 to coincide with the St Valentine’s Day and to ensure that the election is free and fair and for the military to hand over the decision-making power to the people.
The so-called attitude adjustment sessions have been introduced by NCPO to deal with its political dissents. A number of politicians, political activists and journalists have been invited to attend the sessions which are general seen as part of the attempts by the military junta to silence critics. They normally took place in military units or closely-guarded locations.
