And yet, he says that he is optimistic about social changes already underway and believes that activists like himself can make a difference.

“I hope to empower the people—already half a million Thai people have gotten together to form a nonviolent assembly, and the government has to listen,” says Sulak.

And Sulak says that instances of government abuse are not exclusive to developing countries. He also lists the U.S. government, corporations and mainstream media as offenders and accuses the upper class of committing what he calls “structural violence.”

“If I have too much and you have too little, and still I suck off your money, that’s structural violence,” says Sulak. “It is when the big corporations release workers by the thousands but still pay the top CEOs millions in bonuses.”

But his most timely criticism goes to President Bush’s policies on Iraq. He says that Bush has a vested interest in a war against Iraq.

“He obviously collaborates with big defense corporations, and he doesn’t listen to anyone,” Sulak says. “This does not look like a democracy to me.”

Sulak drew parallels between Bush and top Thai government officials, and accused both of neglecting the interests of the people.

“Our president stole the election, just like yours, and our prime minister recognizes the oppressive Burmese government because he only wants to build five-star hotels and sell his satellites,” says Sulak. “He doesn’t care about the Burmese people.”

He also challenges the realistic amount of press freedom in mainstream media in the U.S.

“Noam Chomsky is a very good man and he says true things about America, but you don’t hear him,” says Sulak. “Critics of America are silenced by mainstream media.”

Bringing Buddhists into the Real World

In contrast to the current U.S. attitude toward Iraq and terrorism, Sulak encourages an alternative approach inspired by his Buddhist ideals.

“The response to the 9-11 tragedy should be more compassionate—not just ‘an eye for an eye,’” Sulak says. “If you look at those countries, they have nothing.”

He says that a fundamental change in is in order if the U.S. hopes to curb terrorism.

“The biggest enemy is within—from the Buddhist point of view, they are fear, anger and insecurity,” Sulak says.