The Thai political crisis, which has resurfaced since the coup of May 22, 2014, has been closely monitored by the international community. The military overthrew the elected government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and has since claimed to undertake political reforms. But up to this point, there have been no concrete reforms, nor any prospect of a fresh election. Thailand may have to live with military rule for some time.
Amid many observers of Thai politics, there is a professor who is keen to learn more about the crisis in Thailand. Professor Noam Chomsky — one of the world's most renowned academics, political commentators and social justice activists — has been following political developments in Thailand for a long while.
I had a chance to meet Chomsky and interview him. Our meeting took place Sept. 25 in his office inside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where we had a private conversation. As soon as I was invited to sit down, Chomsky fired off many hard-hitting questions. He was interested in three issues: the military, the monarchy and Thaksin Shinawatra.