<p>The recent cosy-up between the Thai junta and the Chinese leadership has reflected the shift of the regional order. China is certainly on the rise. Thailand, even under civilian regimes, has been willing to bend backwards to please China. With the Americans coming out to criticise the coup, the military leaders have then switched their alliance to Beijing, at least for the time being.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3866/14462418942_8f96d8fd9f_o.jpg" /></p>

<p>A letter written by Tharathorn Boongam-anong, 16-year-old daughter of Sombat Boongam-anong</p> <p></p>

<div>An exotic love letter from Netiwit Chotipatpaisal to the coup makers&nbsp;</div> <div> </div>

<div>&nbsp;</div> <div><em>At approximately 9.30 pm on 5 June, Sombat Boonngamanong was seized in Phan Thong district in Chonburi province. The team that seized him was composed of officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) working with members of the 21st Army Infantry Regiment. &nbsp; The National Intelligence Agency located him by tracing his IP address.&nbsp;</em></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><em>In the event of arrest, he left this pre-recorded message to be circulated on social media and YouTube. </em></div>

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<p>Note: Ajarn Suthachai Yimprasert was summoned to report himself to the Army Club on Thewet Road in Bangkok as part of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Order No. 44/2557. He went on 3 June 2014 to do so, and was released after several hours of interrogation. This is his brief account of what happened, published on his personal Facebook page and then on <em>Prachatai</em>.—trans.</p> <p>*</p> <p>Dear friends,</p>

<p>On 2 June 2014, a group of academics, mostly from Chiang Mai University, and other activists <a href="http://prachatai.org/english/node/4074">went to the Kawila Military Headquarters</a> in the city of Chiang Mai to meet with two Generals responsible for much of the summoning and detention of academics and activists after the 22 May coup in Chiang Mai and neighboring provinces. The first meeting took place at about 1pm with Major General Suthat Charumanee, Commander of the 7th Infantry Division.</p>

<div>&nbsp;</div> <div>This is my account as a person who reported himself following an order of the junta and was detained for 7 days. As a number of friends have not yet reported themselves, and many have been called to do so, I think that this account may factor into the decisions of many people.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>The conditions under which I reported may be different from those of many others. Since I was arrested on the evening of 23 May, I was detained for one night before there was a list of summons for people to report themselves. </div>

<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152408525394354&amp;set=a.391286429353.169785.42940254353&amp;type=1">In Turkey</a>, it goes like “If you can't stop the bad events, at least stop the bad news.” Again, this has already proven to be true in Thailand when the current military junta can stop the bad news so early and no need to stop the bad events anymore.</p>

<p>The US’s disinclination to shift its pro-establishment perception raises the crucial question of whether Washington simply aimed at pursuing its interests or indeed failed to fully comprehend Thailand’s political development that has taken place in the past decade.</p> <p></p>

<p>It has become increasingly clear over the past week since the imposition of Martial Law nationwide followed by the coup that one of Thailand’s most draconian and abused laws, the lèse majesté law or Article 112 of the Penal Code, is being used to persecute anyone who voices opposition to the coup.</p>

<p>The coup was staged on 22 May—it is the 19^th coup since Thailand abolished its absolute monarchy in 1932. While domestic pressure has been built up against the coup, international community has also kept a watchful eye on what has happened in Thailand.</p>