Respected academic and peace advocate Chaiwat Satha-anand warned the violence caused by differences in political ideologies will get worse because of hate speech and fake news.
"There will be more physical assaults in society. Violence will not end with the case of Ja New," Prof Chaiwat, an expert on political science at Thammasat University, told a seminar on violence and hate speech in society at Chulalongkorn University on Wednesday. He was referring to the attack on political activist Sirawith "Ja New" Seritiwat last Friday.
Mr Sirawith -- an opponent of the military government -- was attacked twice last month. In the most recent incident on June 28, he was badly beaten in broad daylight near his home in Klong Sam Wa district by four men with blackjack batons.
Mr Sirawith, 27, suffered an orbital fracture, black eyes and a broken nose. Mr Sirawith was once a student of Prof Chaiwat, attending his class at Thammasat University. The professor said he felt sorry for Mr Sirawith, whom he described as a "polite" student.
Yet, he said, he felt more sorrow and fear for Thai society. "My concern is that our society has come to a point of prolonged conflicts," Mr Chaiwat said.
"Conflicts will continue even though governments, including the military-engineered Prayut Chan-o-cha administration, have tried to reconcile rival groups," he said.
Some of the factors that deepen conflict, according to Prof Chaiwat, are hate speech and fake news posted on social media.
Mr Chaiwat said attempts to teach people to recheck "facts" posted on social media were necessary but not enough. "The reasons behind hatefulness are powerful and not necessarily related to or solved by education," he said, adding that the family and parental upbringing also have a role to play in solving the problem.
"Hate speech is not new in Thailand. The country has witnessed hate speech for almost a decade, albeit without breaking into violence," he said.
Prof Pirongrong Ramasoota, vice-president of Chulalongkorn University for Social Outreach and Global Engagement, said society now will not be lucky as it was in the past because fake news has become a new element that stokes hate and fear. "Fake news and hate speech will be become a tool to stir up violence," she told the seminar.
"My grave concern is that many people easily believe in what they see or read without checking whether they are factual," Prof Pirongrong said, suggesting they should be educated in what the media does.
Vanchai Tantivitayapitak, a writer and former news editorial director for PPTV, said people must consume information with a critical mind. "We have the media who report the truth and those who kill it," he said.
However, what is more worrying for Mr Vanchai is the mindset of Thais, who are taught and groomed to obey and be docile. "That upbringing is ideal for fake news and hate speech to thrive," he said.