<div>The veteran politician, closed-aid to ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra has lived in self-imposed exile for 6 years. In Part 2 of the interview, Jakrapob Penkair discussed the alleged violence of the red-shirt movement and prospect of Thai politics after the coup.&nbsp;</div> <p></p>

<div>On 11 November 2015, Changpuak police station, Chiang Mai, issued summons for a group of six academics from various universities. </div>

<div>While the Thai junta insists their primary mission is to reform the country, a year has lapsed since the National Reform Council (NRC) presented 505 reform proposals to the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA). </div>

<div>Since the 22 May 2014 coup, many academics, media workers, and citizens have been arrested or summoned to report themselves to undergo forced attitude adjustment &nbsp;by military and civilian officials under the command of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Even though nearly eighteen months have passed since the coup, it is well-known that those who have undergone attitude adjustment experience continued de facto probation by the NCPO. </div>

<div>Although Jakrapob Penkair may have disappeared from the Thai political scene many years ago, his name still resounds. This confirms his status as a 'political man' whose latest achievement is to co-found 'Seri Thai'--an organisation whose mandate is to fight the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) from outside the country. It is the task which has prompted another round of surveillance on him by the authorities.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Jakrapob has led a life of a great variety. </div>

<div>Since 2006, Thailand has been plagued with an unending storm of political conflict. Political thought is divided on nearly every single issue; from former Prime Minister Thaksin’s reign, the monarchical institution, nation development, democracy, elections, reform, politicians, political parties and so forth. The 22 May 2014 coup has exacerbated Thailand’s political situation. Activists, politicians, and even ordinary citizens branded as “ideologically hardcore” were left with no choice but to flee the country in self-imposed exile.&nbsp;</div> <p></p>

<p>This year is the 50th anniversary of the coup that led to the deaths of an estimated 500,000-3 million, one of the worst episodes of violence in the post-World War II world. Today, few have been held responsible for the killings, which remain a rarely discussed and barely understood topic in now nominally Democratic Indonesia.</p> <p>As Thailand enters its second year under its own military dictatorship – one that shows no signs of leaving - here are some lessons and warning signs from its Southern neighbor.</p>

<div><em>“Faiyen” is a pop and luk thung band well-known to red-shirts. With their lyrics sharply criticizing the elite, the band seeks to politically “enlighten” listeners. Faiyen have been harassed by the military until they have had to flee to a neighbouring country. Although their lives in exile are quite difficult and fraught with limitations, Faiyen is still continuing to write and sing songs for a revolutionary change in Thai society. One of Faiyen’s new songs is a chilling cover of The Hunger Games’ “The Hanging Tree.” Although both Faiyen and Katniss may sing this song, the place Faiyen are exiled to is no District 13.</em></div> <p></p>

<div>Cancel OYW wishes to announce its appeal to One Young World Counsellors and Organisers. OYW’s 2015 global summit is planned for November 18-21 in the heart of the world’s only military dictatorship, Thailand. The appeal may be seen at Thailand’s Future in English and Thai, along with contact information for One Young World representatives.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>“One Young World is an international charity committed to freedom of speech for world’s future leaders. We think that the message of holding OYW in a military dictatorship sends the wrong message to our bright future. </div>

<div>A renowned cartoonist of Thairath, a daily newspaper with biggest circulation in Thailand, was summoned by the military for his cartoons criticizing junta, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VoiceTVonline/posts/10154430903474848">Voice TV </a>reported on Sunday morning.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>The report said Sakda Sae-eaw, known by his penname as “Sia,” a cartoonist whose column is on Thairath page 3, reported in at the Royal Thai Army Headquarter on Sunday morning. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div>

<div> <div>Anti-coup activists on Saturday commemorated the 2006 military coup, arguably the event which triggered Thailand’s polarized political conflict, amid tight security in central Bangkok. &nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>On 19 September 2006, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, then Army Commander, staged a military coup d’état to topple then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, reasoning that Thaksin was allegedly involved in corruption and nepotism, interfered in independent state agencies and insulted the King. </div></div>

<p>The military officials have held in custody Mr. Pichai Naripthaphan on 8 September 2015, and Mr. Karoon Hosakul on 10 September 2015. To this, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), told the press that the detention of the two persons was relating to their outspoken critique of the government’s performance. Of late, a senior reporter of&nbsp;<em>The Nation</em>, Mr. Pravit Rojanaphruk, has been deprived of his liberty as well on 13 September 2015.</p>