Thread: the disconnect between many Thais and their government is clear. While Deputy PM Prawit refused to condemn the #BurmaCoup, saying it is their business, Thai pro-democracy groups quickly organised a #StandWithMyanmar protest near the Myanmar embassy today. #รัฐประหาร 
Thailand has suffered two coups in recent memory (2006 & 2014), and is one if the most coup-prone countries in the world. This disconnect between people and governments is often felt in ASEAN. The ASEAN organisation will almost certainly echo Gen. Prawit's statement that...
...the coup is Myanmar's internal matter. This is why it's important for Southeast Asian civil society to think and act regionally, in solidarity and cooperation with progressives in other ASEAN countries. They can, to an extent, do the work their ASEAN leaders are failing to do.
This is already happening, one shining example is @officialFORSEA. More networking along these lines will make ASEAN a better place from the grassroots level upwards, and perhaps put some pressure on leaders to do the right thing every now and again. #รัฐประหาร
The most important thing Thai civil society can do right now, beyond condemning the coup, is to prepare for a possible influx of Burmese political refugees over the Thai border. Thailand has historically been generous (to an extent) with Burmese refugees, but... #รัฐประหาร
...the militaristic nationalism of the current Thai regime, its close ties to the Burmese military, and the Covid pandemic all add up to create the worst possible conditions for any Burmese dissidents who may seek safe haven in Thailand. #รัฐประหาร
Civil society, rights groups and the media should be playing close attention to the situation in the Thai/Myanmar border areas, as of right now. #รัฐประหาร
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