Pavlov’s police dogs

Pavlov trained – conditioned – animals. Pavlov’s dogs refers to the experiments he did in conditioning dogs to salivate through a learning process that results from this pairing, through which the neutral stimulus comes to elicit a salivation response that usually provoked by the potent stimulus of food. 

In Thailand’s politics, Pavlovian conditioning is common. As lawfare has become the regime’s basic response to critics, the police have become the regime’s equivalent of Pavlov’s dogs.

From SimplyPsychology

So it is that when opponents rally, the police salivate, investigate, and seek charges.

On the weekend, two, small demonstrations were held, with Jatuporn Promphan, “leader of the United People for Thailand pro-democracy group … vow[ing] to topple Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s regime within three months.”

Salivating on cue, Metropolitan Police Bureau Deputy Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Piya Tawichai said the leaders of the rallies would all face investigation and charges.

He said those “targeted include Nitithon Lamlua, leader of the Prachachon Khon Thai group, and Jatuporn Prompan, of the Samakkhi Prachachon group.”

The policeman stated that these people would be charged with: calling for The Dictator to step down “organising a gathering which risked spreading diseases in violation of the executive decree; violating the Communicable Disease Act; violating the Public Cleanliness Act by leaving materials on the roads; obstructing traffic and violating the Land Traffic Act; and using loudspeakers without permission in violation of the Advertising Control Act.”

We assume the cops will be adequately rewarded to imprint the response.