Very true, sadly. And according to Freedom House, Thailand’s status as a "free country" declined from Partly Free to Not Free because the leading opposition party was dissolved by the Constitutional Court, and authorities repatriated activists, refugees, and asylum seekers to countries where they faced ill-treatment. There is no perfect place, nor could there ever be I suppose, but Thailand doesn't claim to be a pillar of freedom, whereas the U.S. is unique in how it views/presents itself in this regard. Curiously, most I know who have a good pulse on world affairs are recognizing how increasingly the U.S. feels not only unfree, but unsafe. "Safety" and "Freedom" are of course both loaded words, ones worthy of dissecting deeply. "Safety" means far more than merely feeling confident no one will break into your house. And "Freedom" ought mean more than feeling allowed to do whatever one wants. Does one feel free from constant anxiety? Free from the fear of not being able to have access to organic food and good seeds? Are you safe from the constant noise of media? Safe from the pressure to raise children in ways that don't center the needs of soil? A lot to unpack here. And wow, my heart breaks about how Thailand (and much of the world) have turned their back on the Uyghur people. I had the great privilege of spending time in Kashgar some 15 or so odd years ago, before the central market was destroyed. I was blown away by their beauty and mastery of how to live well. It is precisely peoples like them, whom, like seeds, are endangered now of losing everything as modernity attempts to wipe everything out in the name of "progress" who might be better fit to answer these tough questions. May we never get too tired to tell the stories that need to be told. Thank You Brendon, for being bold and always speaking truth to power. All blessings.
Certainly agree that Thailand is kinder to foreigners/immigrants than the U.S., but it still does reprehensible things like this: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/27/thailand-deports-dozens-of-uyghurs-to-china-despite-torture-fears
Very true, sadly. And according to Freedom House, Thailand’s status as a "free country" declined from Partly Free to Not Free because the leading opposition party was dissolved by the Constitutional Court, and authorities repatriated activists, refugees, and asylum seekers to countries where they faced ill-treatment. There is no perfect place, nor could there ever be I suppose, but Thailand doesn't claim to be a pillar of freedom, whereas the U.S. is unique in how it views/presents itself in this regard. Curiously, most I know who have a good pulse on world affairs are recognizing how increasingly the U.S. feels not only unfree, but unsafe. "Safety" and "Freedom" are of course both loaded words, ones worthy of dissecting deeply. "Safety" means far more than merely feeling confident no one will break into your house. And "Freedom" ought mean more than feeling allowed to do whatever one wants. Does one feel free from constant anxiety? Free from the fear of not being able to have access to organic food and good seeds? Are you safe from the constant noise of media? Safe from the pressure to raise children in ways that don't center the needs of soil? A lot to unpack here. And wow, my heart breaks about how Thailand (and much of the world) have turned their back on the Uyghur people. I had the great privilege of spending time in Kashgar some 15 or so odd years ago, before the central market was destroyed. I was blown away by their beauty and mastery of how to live well. It is precisely peoples like them, whom, like seeds, are endangered now of losing everything as modernity attempts to wipe everything out in the name of "progress" who might be better fit to answer these tough questions. May we never get too tired to tell the stories that need to be told. Thank You Brendon, for being bold and always speaking truth to power. All blessings.
Thanks everyone who has already leveled up to "paid"! I see you! :)