The chief of the Royal Thai Army says that a new standardised version of the so-called attitude adjustment sessions is completed, implying that political dissidents could be sent to the restive Deep South.

Krungthepturakij and LokWanNee News reported on Friday, 1 April 2016, that Gen Teerachai Nakwanich, the Commander of the Royal Thai Army, told the media that a new standardised version of attitude adjustment sessions, coercive lectures forced upon political dissidents by the military, will be about seven days long.  

“The course is for people who do not understand [the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)] and there is no need to discuss in detail what they have to do in seven days. This course is not open for applications of course, but will be for those who want to take it because they are not sensible and have to be taught to understand things,” said Gen Teerachai.

“As for course facilities, they will be held at military bases throughout the country including those in Pattani and Yala for people who want to take it,” added the Thai army chief.

On Monday, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, Minister of Defence and deputy junta head, said that from now on the NCPO will turn the attitude adjustment sessions into special courses of 3-7 days, adding that the sessions have not been successful because those who underwent the sessions still ‘expressed their thoughts.’

Similarly, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, recently told the media that the attitude adjustment sessions will be made into a proper course for political dissidents, especially politicians.

The junta leader told the media that the course could last up to 30 days, adding that people who are summoned for such courses will also be given an exam and will not be released if they cannot pass it.