Thailand is now at high risk of witnessing mass killings, according to conflict monitors.
The kingdom moved up 23 spots to 19th of 162 countries studied for the likelihood that a massacre or genocide could occur by a U.S. group called the Early Warning Project.
“Our statistical model estimates that there is a 4.5%, or approximately 1 in 22, chance of a new mass killing beginning in Thailand in 2021 or 2022,” this week’s report read.
The project cited reduced freedom, a history of mass killing, and the presence of armed conflict, such as that between state security forces and southern insurgents, as major factors behind the huge shift. It also references the emergence of the most recent pro-democracy movement, whose historical predecessors have been victimized by state violence.
“In October 2020, the government instituted a ‘severe’ state of…
