On May 19, 2025, political activist Sombat Boonngamanong, also known as “Editor Lai Jood,” tweeted in response to a prominent academic who appeared on stage calling for the end of democracy.
He wrote: “Democracy itself isn’t evil. Every system has its weaknesses. But democracy has been proven to be the best option available.
If you reject this system, please be clear about which one you prefer—and how you know it would be better.
During the era of military rule, you may not have heard much about wrongdoing—not because that system was good, but because it didn’t allow full scrutiny. That led to the false perception that it was better. In reality, it was even worse—you just didn’t hear about it.
And the reason you didn’t hear or see the wrongdoing was because you chose to close your eyes and ears. When your heart is closed, you don’t perceive it. Or worse, the wrongdoings of non-democratic regimes may not even count as wrongdoings in the eyes of some. If both the regime and the people are corrupt, it fits—evil people praising an evil regime. That’s it.”