Internal Security Operations Command, the political arm of the Thai military, has called for sales of a new book to be halted. The book in question is ในนามของความมั่นคงภายใน การแทรกซึมสังคมของกองทัพไทย, a Thai translation of Infiltrating Society: The Thai Military’s Internal Security Affairs by the distinguished academic Puangthong Pawakapan. Infiltrating Society was published in English in 2021, and the Thai translation will be released on 25th September by Same Sky Books.
ISOC posted a written statement on its Facebook page on 14th September, questioning Puangthong’s academic credentials and research methods, and challenging her findings. It also requested that the book was removed from sale (“ขอเรียนว่าการนำหนังสือและบทความทางวิชาการที่มีข้อมูลในลักษณะที่เป็นเท็จ”), and threatened legal action against the author.
Thailand’s modern political history has been dominated by military rule, with thirteen successful coups. But Puangthong argues that, even during periods of civilian government, ISOC’s influence is ever present, creating a constant atmosphere of military surveillance and propaganda. She makes the crucial point that ISOC’s activities are fundamental to the military’s agenda: “Internal security affairs, rather than external threats, have long been the raison d’être of the Thai military”.
ISOC posted a written statement on its Facebook page on 14th September, questioning Puangthong’s academic credentials and research methods, and challenging her findings. It also requested that the book was removed from sale (“ขอเรียนว่าการนำหนังสือและบทความทางวิชาการที่มีข้อมูลในลักษณะที่เป็นเท็จ”), and threatened legal action against the author.
Thailand’s modern political history has been dominated by military rule, with thirteen successful coups. But Puangthong argues that, even during periods of civilian government, ISOC’s influence is ever present, creating a constant atmosphere of military surveillance and propaganda. She makes the crucial point that ISOC’s activities are fundamental to the military’s agenda: “Internal security affairs, rather than external threats, have long been the raison d’être of the Thai military”.
3 comment(s):
ISOC: https://www.facebook.com/SPMISOC/posts/pfbid0rFGdGA1ogizdZ8BUV87BtVasntMf347ziymWby3Ux2jHATtNo33U8NZ4G7ktveY1l
Same Sky Books: https://sameskybooks.net/product/9786169430353/
After reading parts of her writing in the book, I have to question her motive. And based on her other short writings as well as her talks at various places which can be found on YouTube, it's obvious that she has the mentality of anti-establishments (military & others), has little regard on Thai traditional values, and national security as well as public safety is not her concern.
As a ordinary Thai who is in 70s and old enough to know the facts and events involved, I'd strongly agree with the assessment and action taken by the ISOC. I can also see various points that the ISOC made, particularly on the objective and the primary purpose of the research (which is to systematically investigate and analyze phenomena to gain new knowledge, test existing theories, and contribute to a deeper understanding of a subject area, ultimately aiming to improve society by providing solutions to problems and informing decision-making).
Below is part of the entire comments by the ISOC disputing and objecting to the publication and distribution of this book. Anyone can view the entire comments by clicking the link posted by Matthew Hunt above.
Let me tell you that ISOC is a government agency under the Prime Minister’s Office, with the Prime Minister as the director. It has personnel including civilians, police, and military to jointly solve security problems. Various states have used the military to support the civilian sector for a long time. Furthermore, at present, no government agency in the country has independent power beyond the control of the government. In addition, the determination of security policy and the Ministry of Defense policy is a matter at the state level, which is responsible for the National Security Council, not the military or ISOC, which can be determined by itself. As for the plans and projects that claim to be tools to control Thai society, they are all assigned by the government, the National Security Council, and various ministries, which hold joint meetings to plan and review them every year according to the approval process of the Cabinet.
National security and public safety is the utmost primary concern for any national leaders of every country, large or small, on Earth. Thailand is no exception. Countries, especially the USA and UK, the government has more than one branch of agencies that employ plainclothe personnel and electronic gadgets/equipment to secretly snoop its citizens and residents living in the country. These agencies include NSA, FBI, DEA, CIA, and the national guards. (Even the Pentagon has been involved in the infiltrating and spying acts in the name of national security.)
In times of natural disaster, emergency and public crises that threaten the safety and security of the public or society anywhere in the USA, the national guards may very well be called upon to perform the duty providing assistance and working with local authorities so that the peace and order as well as safety can return to the community and society.
Thailand does not have the resources and equipment like the bigger and wealthier countries. So, there is no agency established exclusively in every province to efficiently and quickly provide assistances to its citizens. Whenever and wherever natural disaster struck, Thai military branches have promptly gone to the site to help the people out. Amid the threatening situation, they fearlessly and selflessly put the safety of people first before their own. Their mission is to save every life whether men (regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or race) or pets and farm animals. That's why almost every Thai has positive view on Thai military personnel more than the police.
Other than the military, Thailand has only one agency, the ISOC, established to exclusively deal with the internal national security functions, as far as I know. As an ordinary Thai citizen, I don't know anyone whom I've known in Thailand (family members, relatives, friends, acquaintances and neighbors) who has been subject to the personal surveillance of any degree or intensity by the military personnel whether with or without uniform, and covertly or not.
So, personally, I do not agree with things the author has alleged against Thai arm-forces; most are overly exaggerated and sensationalized to gain fame, publicity and wealth.
For the author to pain the
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