Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss 
In this sad and depressing moment for Thailand, a group of students, faculty and alumni of the Australian National University has written an open letter condemning the latest military coup. The letter also comes with a set of satirical pictures against the military order for Thai people to “remain calm and lead a normal life”. Below is the content of the letter, and the pictures.
——————————————-
Open Letter in Condemnation of the Coup Launched by the National Order Maintenance Council on 22 May 2014
On 22 May 2014, a group of persons who call themselves the National Order Maintenance Council (NOMC) fomented a coup and seized power from the caretaker government. They cited the need to prevent violence arising from political conflict as the primary reasons for their actions. We condemn this action for the following significant reasons:
1. A coup is a reduction of rights and liberties. A coup is a devaluation of the intelligence, dignity, and the political learning process of citizens in a democracy.
2. A coup is a destruction of the credibility and prestige honor of the nation in the eyes of the people of the world.
3. A coup will not help solve the problem of political conflict, which has extended for more than a decade, but it will instead lead Thai society into further violence.
It is our belief that the democratic process is the only path that will help Thai society peacefully overcome conflict. The military should awaken to their correct role in a democratic regime.
Therefore, we call on the National Order Maintenance Council to return the power to the people immediately. This will enable Thailand to return to a process of democratization, in which the sovereignty belongs to the people.
Students, Faculty, and Alumni of the Australian National University against the coup
It is vital that the international community voice it’s opposition to this illegal coup. Some brave Thais have protested tonight in BKK. All of us must support them.
It’s quiet here now. A lull before the opposition mounts especially in the North.
I fear that this is going to turn out very badly with violence and oppression the order of the day.
Sanctions against the generals including a travel ban are needed.
0
0
If you are going to wear Niqab, you really should cover the rest of the body, as well. I know they do things differently down in Oz, but rules are rules (and the pissing scene is really Haram). I knew Shari’a Law would make it to ANU sooner or later. And so fashionable too.
0
0
This coup seems to be very vicious compared to the last one that has been compared to silk. No government appointed by the military should get any international recognition.I imagine that local Thais who dare to protest against this coup do so at great risk. I admire their courage. One cannot argue with a machine gun stuck close to your face.
0
0
Follow this up not with another appeal to the leadership but with an appeal to the rank and file of the army.
0
0
Very brave comment from outside the country but not constructive or well-thought out (or written)
What should have been done or done differently?
0
0
Why are the eccentric views of an elderly British man who has chosen to retire in Thailand more valuable than the heartfelt protest of Thai scholars abroad?
What should have been done differently? Well, here’s one idea – the military should not have staged a coup and launched a disgraceful crackdown on freedom of speech.
0
0
Thank you Mr. Marshall,
Mr Rees comments are now consistently accusing ANU articles on this subject of not being relevant or having value. I submit it is his comments that are irrelevant and valueless, and the voting seems to agree.
0
0
It’s a sad day for the people of Thailand. ASad day for Buddhism as Thailand is a Buddhist country, where is the principle of non-violence and wellfare? The military is just greedy to protect their interests and not the Thais. The world must not only condemn But to suspend Thailand from world organisations. If not, it’s seen as only mere lip service!
Imagine an elected leader Prime Minister Yinluck being detained in an undisclosed location, how can that be label as peacefull coup d’etat?
Mr Barak, where are you? UN and Mr Ban, where are you? This is the time to show your leadership!
0
0
Every day is a sad day for Buddhism is Maithailand. Thai people are the greediest people on the planet. Trust me, as an American I know greed! I left home to get away from it, BUT Thai’s are even worse.
I thought Buddha said want causes all suffering. There’s more to Budhism than waiing at a stone idol like a plastic bird perched on the rim of a water glass.
0
0
AMM’s comment should be enough to stop me – another old British man (who would be delighted to be considered eccentric) but…
Events in Bangkok, coming after more than a decade of continuously successful attempts by various factions of the nation’s elite to overthrow Thai people’s electoral choice, is, as the Thai ANU group (scholars or not), a loss of the country’s honour. One despairs.
0
0
Coup is aiming to restore peace in Thailand. How many more innocent people would die without the coup? We had enough. The outsiders like you all won’t understand.
Each nation are different. We all have numerous ways to solve the problem. Coup is one way to do so, if you do not like it just don’t come to Thailand and keep the words to yourself.
If you are sincere, you should have show you faces.
0
0
No somchai those of us who care about thailand won’t keep our words to ourselves. You are entitled to your views and I respect your right to have them. You on the other hand seem to be unable to accept the right of others to hold an opposing view. There is a trend towards xenophobia in thailand which is disturbing
0
0
Maybe we don;t want to go to jail for our opinions.
Everyone start wrritng letters, to the UN , to your govt. to everyone, let them know Thailand needs to stop the lies, grow up and join the world- or become increasingly an isolated failed state. Yes, I can well see a N Koren like state replete with mandated patriarchal worship
0
0
“Keep the words to yourself” says it all. Stifle criticism, free speech, and expressing opinions is what it’s all about in Maithailand. This is the most most damning part of this royalist’s comment.
0
0
We are so appreciated that you are a group of democrecy in AU. We need your help to clean up the coup in our country. Please do all the things that yopu can.
Thanks & Best Regards
Thai people
0
0
р╣Ар╕нр╕▓р╕Цр╕╕р╕Зр╕нр╕нр╕Бр╕Ир╕▓р╕Бр╕лр╕▒р╕зр╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕зр╕Бр╣Зр╕бр╕▓р╣Др╕Чр╕в р╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Фр╕╣р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕Вр╣Ир╕▓р╕з !!
0
0
р╕Бр╕нр╕Зр╕Чр╕▒р╕Юр╕Чр╕│р╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕Цр╕╕р╕Зр╣Ар╕лр╕Щр╕╖р╕нр╕лр╕▒р╕зр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Др╕Щр╣Др╕Чр╕в
It is the army who have just put a bag over the heads of the Thai people.
0
0
Why would anybody need a bag over their head when 14 international news channels are blocked on Thai satellite and cable platforms? In what other country is that happening? Perhaps North Korea? Thailand may look instead to China, but there are few friends of feudal society there.
0
0
Thanks so much to our great Australian fellows for your simpathy to the darkness of thai people caused by the shameful,unjustified and disgusting coup done by thai military.
0
0
I’m very upset that the other country keep comment about Thai and they don’t know the real story. Please stop it. Government had a big corruption, and set red group to protect them. Thailand lost a lot of money because of them. They also can’t explain where is the money. A lot of farmer killed themselves because government take their rice and couldn’t give money to them. This is the bad government that we had in the history of Thailand. Once the army come. We feel like see god. Who can help us from the bad suituation. Let Us fix our problem. We will be fine.
0
0
The fact is that we are well aware of the real story as you put it. The sad thing is that so many supporters of this tragedy base their support on propaganda, myths and outright misrepresentation of facts.
0
0
If you are upset it may help to watch the documentary that awakened our Thai Rose.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdffMC1UEUQ
As we say in English, time for a ‘road to Damascus’ moment.
0
0
Yes Thai could have done differently for resolution to the political crisis. No one wants coup but the situation is getting more violence. How many more farmers could have committed suicides because of the corrupted rice scheme? How many innocent lives could have lost? Is this the human right those people deserved?
I think you we should look forward for the country. Now it is time to be harmonised. I do believe that you love Thailand as much as others in Thailand do but rather than criticising in overseas what would you suggest to prevent potential corruptions, vote buying, or get those corrupt politicians to finally serve jail time after convictions?
0
0
That is just propaganda you are parroting. How many suicides? What was his name, didn’t he actually have gambling debts?
You have been mislead deliberately in order to keep you from realizing the truth. I am very sorry for Thais who have no choice.
0
0
If you are not ready to die for the nation like the army does, you are not ready to criticize them.
0
0
The army is not dying for the Nation, my poor misguided friend. Shooting your own citizens is not usually called “heroism”
Free “head exam” available, if anyone is interested.
0
0