A forum to introduce the Thai version of “Infiltrating Society: The Thai Military’s Internal Security Affairs” by Puangthong Pawakapan has been ordered off-campus by Chulalongkorn University following pressure from the armed forces. (Photo: Same Sky Books Facebook account)
Chulalongkorn University has abruptly cancelled a seminar and book launch for “Infiltrating Society: The Thai Military’s Internal Security Affairs,” authored by one of its esteemed scholars, Puangthong Pawakapan. This unexpected decision came after mounting pressure from the armed forces, as disclosed by the university early this week.
Puangthong, a prominent academic from the university’s Political Science Faculty, revealed on her Facebook page that the seminar, initially set for Friday at the university, would now take place at the renowned Jim Thompson Museum. She elaborated, “I was informed by the faculty dean last week that university executives will not allow any venue at Chula to launch the book entitled ‘Infiltrating Society: The Thai Military’s Internal Security Affairs’ with no clear explanation.”
Despite the abrupt venue change, the seminar continues to receive enthusiastic support from the International Relations Department. Puangthong sees this move as a grave threat to academic freedom.
The book presentation on Friday will highlight the Thai edition of her highly acclaimed book, initially published in English by the distinguished Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore back in 2021. The Thai version is printed under the Same Sky Books banner. Her work stems from an intensive two-year research project that earned accolades from Chulalongkorn University in 2023 and from Foreign Affairs magazine in 2022.
The Political Science Faculty had lauded her achievement on May 24 by sharing the university award news on its Facebook page. Nonetheless, the sudden venue change comes in the wake of stern objections from the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc). On September 14, Isoc had vociferously criticized Puangthong, arguing that she lacked qualifications and expertise in security affairs.
Isoc’s outright condemnation called for the banning of the book and related forums to prevent “public misunderstanding and damage to the image of the armed forces.” They even threatened legal action against the author and prompted the university to review her ethics.
Unfazed, Puangthong responded with a compelling Facebook post two days later. She asserted that her research and ensuing publication had undergone thorough scrutiny by numerous experts in Thai politics, the military, and security from various international institutions. Puangthong challenged Isoc to engage in an open discussion rather than resorting to legal intimidation and censorship. She stated, “I call for Isoc to send representatives to the forum to exchange views in public instead of calling for a ban and trying to use the law to silence both me and the discourse surrounding the issue.”
The forum on Friday will feature notable speakers like Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, co-founder of the now-disbanded Future Forward Party, and Prajak Kongkirati from Thammasat University’s Political Science Faculty. Both are well-known critics of military coups and political interventions by the military.
As the academic world turns its eyes to the Jim Thompson Museum on Friday, one can only hope that the sanctity of academic freedom prevails over censorship. This gripping narrative shines a light on the ongoing tension between academia and the military, making for a highly anticipated event that promises intellectual enlightenment and robust debate.
This is a clear attack on academic freedom! Universities should be sanctuaries for open discussion and critical thinking.
Couldn’t agree more. The military’s move only shows how insecure they are about the truths that might get uncovered.
Or it could be that the book is spreading false information. We can’t just blindly support it without knowing the facts.
I think the university should have stood its ground. Cancelling the event sets a dangerous precedent.
Exactly, spineless decisions like this will only embolden the military further.
Academia needs to remain independent from military influence. This decision is deeply concerning.
Maybe the military has a point. If the book is spreading dangerous ideas, it’s their job to protect the public.
Dangerous ideas or inconvenient truths? Suppression is never the answer.
You say suppression, I say prevention. Sometimes a little control is needed for the greater good.
Once you start down the path of censorship, where does it end? The objective should always be open dialogue and education.
This is not about protecting the public; it’s about protecting their own image. Let’s not twist the narrative.
It’s disheartening to think that academic institutions can still be bullied like this in 2024. Has anything really changed?
Some things never change. The military has always had undue influence in Thailand.
It’s up to society to push back. The more we let these things slide, the worse it gets.
Puangthong’s call for an open discussion is brave and necessary. Kudos to her for standing her ground!
Bravery? More like recklessness. She’s inviting unnecessary conflict.
Disagree. In a democracy, debate and discourse are essential. We can’t shy away from difficult conversations.
I can’t wait for the seminar at Jim Thompson Museum. Expecting it to be very enlightening.
This whole incident has only made me more interested in reading the book. The military’s attempt to silence it is a PR nightmare.
Same here! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
Why are we quick to demonize the military? They might have valid concerns that we aren’t considering.
Because censorship and intimidation tactics in the name of ‘security’ are never the answer.
Different times require different measures. It’s easy to criticize from the sidelines.
Isn’t freedom of expression a basic human right? How is this even a debate?
Freedom of expression doesn’t mean freedom from consequences. There can be legal and ethical boundaries.
Fair point, but who decides those boundaries? It can be a slippery slope.
A move to silence academic voices is a step towards authoritarianism. We’ve seen this play out in history before.
Anyone attending the seminar? Expecting it to be packed with intellectual discussions.
Planning to! It will be interesting to see how they tackle the military’s critique.
Puangthong’s courage is commendable. The way she addressed Isoc’s objections speaks volumes of her integrity as a researcher.
We should really consider the impact of these types of books. Sometimes they can incite unnecessary unrest.
This really makes you question the role of universities and their moral obligations. Should they cave to external pressures?
No, they shouldn’t. Universities should be bastions of free thought and expression.
In the end, this incident has only given more attention to Puangthong’s work. Streisand effect in full swing.