CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: Many in favour of death penalty, survey shows

BANGKOK:-- Nationwide poll finds alarming level of support for extreme punishments, including extrajudicial killings. People are becoming more unmerciful and accepting of severe punishment, even executions, according to a recent survey.

About 45 per cent of respondents to a Dhurakij Pundit University poll say they support capital punishment for drug traffickers and almost 8 per cent even condone the extrajudicial killing of drug dealers. More than 51 per cent believe they should be jailed, however.

The countrywide survey of 1,154 people in October covered eight topics ranging from drugs, rape and violence in the deep South to brawling and street protests.

A similar extreme pattern developed when it came to violence in the deep South. As many as 47 per cent of the respondents say those involved in violence in the predominantly Malay Muslim area should be executed. About 20 per cent even support extrajudicial killing, while 48 per cent think offenders should serve time behind bars.

An overwhelming 71 per cent want rapists who kill their victim to be executed and 7 per cent say, as a proper punishment, they ought to be summarily killed.

Even on the issue of student rumbles, 11.5 per cent of respondents say they support capital punishment for those who often cause trouble, injury and even death in public areas of Bangkok. As many as 42 per cent approve of executions for migrant workers who kill their employer. This is opposed by 52 per cent who say they should go to jail.

As more mothers abandon their babies, 13.6 per cent feel they should be executed.

These extreme views of punishment are also reflected in the respondents’ attitude towards street protests, which is constitutional. Some 36 per cent believe the government should find ways to prevent demonstrators, such as farmers, from coming to Bangkok.

Puangthong Pawakaraphan, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University and one of the pollsters, said the results were alarming because across the board, 84 per cent of respondents choose the most extreme punishments. That is, 47 per cent support capital punishment, 20 per cent give the green light to extrajudicial killing and 17 per cent select life imprisonment.

When it comes to violence in the deep South, as many as 65 per cent of respondents think the problem stems from the lack of patriotism among those involved. “The number of those supporting extrajudicial killing in the South is even higher than those supporting extrajudicial killing of drug dealers,” Puangthong said.

“Most of the people appear not to be able to imagine a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the South.”

--The Nation 2005-11-27

Obviously the civil liberatarians don't have much of a foothold in Thailand, and in many respects, that's probably a good thing.

I think you would get similar figures in a lot of western countries. 60% of Americans support the death penalty (down from a previous high of 80%) and I believe it is a similar percentage in the UK. It might not say much for human nature but I don't think the Thais are any worse than others.

Outlawing the death penalty is invariably done by parlimentary decision, it isn't done by popular consent of the people. I am not an advocate of the death penalty, but it's hard to convince people to vote to abolish it.

As society hardens, so do the people.

I don't know if in any western country 13% will be ready to execute mothers who abandon their babies, or around 10% who want to execute suspects on the spot, without a court trial, and even 20% so for southern muslims, or that 36% would oppose public demonstrations, and, lastly, 84% of people who would chose the most sever punishment of all available choices for any crime.

The US, with it's extra high crime rates and largest prison population by percentage, hardly qualifies as a benchmark - compare to Europe, Australia/New Zealand, or even Japan.

Outlawing the death penalty is invariably done by parlimentary decision, it isn't done by popular consent of the people.

however...non-judicial "death penalties" are commonplace, at the discression of the Thai PM....with or without "popular consent of the people" or "parlimentary decision."

Edited November 28, 200520 yr by JRinger

Outlawing the death penalty is invariably done by parlimentary decision, it isn't done by popular consent of the people.

however...non-judicial "death penalties" are commonplace, at the discression of the Thai PM....with or without "popular consent of the people" or "parlimentary decision."

I was somewhat shocked to hear fervent support for "extra-judicial execution" for alleged drug dealers from an educated factory manager in front of all his colleagues. This article would suggest that it was my thinking that was out of step not his. I don't like the adage, "Life is cheap in the East." but it is hard to deny.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: Many in favour of death penalty, survey shows

BANGKOK:-- Nationwide poll finds alarming level of support for extreme punishments, including extrajudicial killings. People are becoming more unmerciful and accepting of severe punishment, even executions, according to a recent survey.

About 45 per cent of respondents to a Dhurakij Pundit University poll say they support capital punishment for drug traffickers and almost 8 per cent even condone the extrajudicial killing of drug dealers. More than 51 per cent believe they should be jailed, however.

The countrywide survey of 1,154 people in October covered eight topics ranging from drugs, rape and violence in the deep South to brawling and street protests.

A similar extreme pattern developed when it came to violence in the deep South. As many as 47 per cent of the respondents say those involved in violence in the predominantly Malay Muslim area should be executed. About 20 per cent even support extrajudicial killing, while 48 per cent think offenders should serve time behind bars.

An overwhelming 71 per cent want rapists who kill their victim to be executed and 7 per cent say, as a proper punishment, they ought to be summarily killed.

Even on the issue of student rumbles, 11.5 per cent of respondents say they support capital punishment for those who often cause trouble, injury and even death in public areas of Bangkok. As many as 42 per cent approve of executions for migrant workers who kill their employer. This is opposed by 52 per cent who say they should go to jail.

As more mothers abandon their babies, 13.6 per cent feel they should be executed.

These extreme views of punishment are also reflected in the respondents’ attitude towards street protests, which is constitutional. Some 36 per cent believe the government should find ways to prevent demonstrators, such as farmers, from coming to Bangkok.

Puangthong Pawakaraphan, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University and one of the pollsters, said the results were alarming because across the board, 84 per cent of respondents choose the most extreme punishments. That is, 47 per cent support capital punishment, 20 per cent give the green light to extrajudicial killing and 17 per cent select life imprisonment.

When it comes to violence in the deep South, as many as 65 per cent of respondents think the problem stems from the lack of patriotism among those involved. “The number of those supporting extrajudicial killing in the South is even higher than those supporting extrajudicial killing of drug dealers,” Puangthong said.

“Most of the people appear not to be able to imagine a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the South.”

--The Nation 2005-11-27

8 % -------- only 8%contrary to the oft outspoken Capt ..... that would have had us think EVERYONE in Thailand thought it was OK

I wonder what the consensus would be on death penalty for killer cops. Now there would be one occation where it would really serve a purpose, so they're not just let out by their mates when the public looks the other way

another reason why i love los is, the people are realist's.

you can play the game if you want but if you get caught your in deep <deleted>.

i love it.

cheers friends

As society hardens, so do the people.

great point - brief and very spot on !

society IS people, and again, people comprise society !

interesting though how it blends with all Thai tolerance, mai-pen-rainess, compassion, and simple daily indifference to many issues !

truly - AMAZING Thailand - as famous logo says.

Summary execution of "drug dealers", my arse! Those were low-level mules and addicts running yaba to stay in their habits. Lets put it this way, in my small town in Rayong, a Thai cop recently knifed a girl to death for refusing to push drugs for him. This little sh*te was on the national news for the killing. I saw him last week, shaking down a local bar for protection money;- free as a lark. All show, and no knackers these people.

Summary execution of "drug dealers", my arse! Those were low-level mules and addicts running yaba to stay in their habits. Lets put it this way, in my small town in Rayong, a Thai cop recently knifed a girl to death for refusing to push drugs for him. This little sh*te was on the national news for the killing. I saw him last week, shaking down a local bar for protection money;- free as a lark. All show, and no knackers these people.

Am I the only one to find this astonishing? How long was he out of circulation for and why isn't he featured on national news again?

Summary execution of "drug dealers", my arse! Those were low-level mules and addicts running yaba to stay in their habits. Lets put it this way, in my small town in Rayong, a Thai cop recently knifed a girl to death for refusing to push drugs for him. This little sh*te was on the national news for the killing. I saw him last week, shaking down a local bar for protection money;- free as a lark. All show, and no knackers these people.

Am I the only one to find this astonishing? How long was he out of circulation for and why isn't he featured on national news again?

Summary execution of "drug dealers", my arse! Those were low-level mules and addicts running yaba to stay in their habits. Lets put it this way, in my small town in Rayong, a Thai cop recently knifed a girl to death for refusing to push drugs for him. This little sh*te was on the national news for the killing. I saw him last week, shaking down a local bar for protection money;- free as a lark. All show, and no knackers these people.

Am I the only one to find this astonishing? How long was he out of circulation for and why isn't he featured on national news again?

Apparently, somebody bailed him. Astonishing is not the word to describe this; i agree with you. Why? - Because of attention-spans rivalling goldfish in brevity.

Seems amazing that while out on bail, he's still going round the bars for tea money. "Sickening" may actually be the correct word, tbh.

BANGKOK:-- Nationwide poll finds alarming level of support for extreme punishments, including extrajudicial killings.

Well under Thaksin, they've got them.