Former Thai Intelligence Official Cites European Unrest as Warning Against Unchecked Democracy

Key summary

Nanthawat Samak, former secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and former deputy director of the National Intelligence Agency, posted on Facebook on October 24, 2026, that protests in Europe involving arson and looting demonstrated that democracy without limits can lead to societal collapse. He questioned whether freedom and democracy are inseparable, stating that freedom must not equate to chaos, selfishness, or destruction of property. Samak noted that elections have reached a point where citizens feel they have no choices, leaders refuse to resign, removal is impossible, and new elections are not yet scheduled. He concluded by urging the nation not to be manipulated by agitators or foreign spies.