A grossly offensive – and predictable – response

By The Nation

 

 

In seeking to pass the blame, Deputy PM Prawit has deeply wounded the Chinese families of victims from the Phuket disaster 

 

Just days ago relatives of nearly 50 Chinese tourists who died after their boat capsized near Phuket issued an open letter of gratitude for the response of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. In the same letter, however, they did not mince words about their contrasting feelings towards his deputy, General Prawit Wongsuwan.

 

They thanked Prayut for rushing to Phuket to offer comfort to relatives of the victims but pointed to the fact that just hours before the PM arrived, Prawit had shown extreme insensitivity in pointing the finger of blame.  

        

Prawit told local reporters that the boat’s tour operators were Chinese nationals who neglected safety warnings from the Meteorological Department. He concluded that the tragedy was a result of “Chinese nationals doing this to Chinese tourists”.

That statement was grossly offensive and designed to deflect the blame elsewhere. It was tantamount to claiming the incident had not occurred in the Kingdom of Thailand, the letter said. 

 

The grieving relatives pointed out that their family members had come to Thailand legally and the very least they expected was for Thai authorities to ensure the basic safety of visitors. 

 

They called Prawit’s statement “irresponsible” and contrary to the warm relations between the two countries that the Thai government often describes as brotherly love. 

 

The relatives said Prawit could not retract the insulting words. They also accused him of being indifferent in his personal demeanour, “as if he was getting some satisfaction from the sufferings of other people”.

 

“Is this the statement of a man with a conscience?” the letter quoted one survivor who lost four family members in the tragedy.

Relatives said the pain that Prawit had inflicted upon them would remain for a very long time and asked that the deputy PM would meet with them directly to explain himself.

 

The letter was dated July 11, six days after the Phoenix sank after being hit by a huge wave in the Andaman Sea.

 

Although Prawit apologised for his statement, the relatives’ letter has dismissed the apology as lacking in sincerity or contrition.

 

Indeed, too often we witness how senior Thai officials are quick to place the blame elsewhere instead of dealing with the issue at hand in a responsible manner.

 

Such a response requires some degree of sensitivity and rationality, especially after accidents in which many innocent people have lost their lives. 

 

A tragedy of this scale deserves better than just an unsympathetic statement that points fingers elsewhere.

 

It mattered not whether the tour company was run by Chinese nationals or Thais. Nothing justifies Prawit’s response, especially when a thorough investigation had yet to begin.

 

The situation called for moral support, sympathy and understanding, not a hair-trigger impulse to cast blame elsewhere in order to escape responsibility for anything.

 

Like it or not, this tragedy took place on Thailand’s territory and it is the responsibility of the Thai government to ensure that humanitarian assistance is provided to the victims. As to the issue of accountability, that can come later.  

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30350363

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-19

Ohh Magoo. You've done it agin.

In times where a leader should exhibit compassion, care and proper diplomacy, the watchman has elected to rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic and play the blame game, committing a faux pas on every imaginable levels, ultimately dear DPM, Chinese opperatores or not, the responsibility to maintain, inforce and mage safe sailing resting solely with the Thai authorities...

Edited July 18, 20187 yr by ezzra

"Such a response requires some degree of sensitivity and rationality...."

 

Hmmm....

Always blame the foreigner.

Probably somewhat down the list on the Nobel sensitivity prize.

Us Farang had predicted this outcome. Completely expected and commonplace for locals. It's ALWAYS the foreigners' faults. 

 

The difference with the Chinese is they have herd mentality. They are now canceling Thailand vacations in droves. Phuket getting hit hard as we speak. The Thais will fold when they see the money drying up. Expect lots of Chinese red themed events at tourist areas nationwide as the locals prostitute themselves. 

57 minutes ago, webfact said:

A tragedy of this scale deserves better than just an unsympathetic statement that points fingers elsewhere.

why do people consistently forget that these are military generals, not particularly bright nor caring ?

He concluded that the tragedy was a result of “Chinese nationals doing this to Chinese tourists”.

 

It mattered not whether the tour company was run by Chinese nationals or Thais. Nothing justifies Prawit’s response, especially when a thorough investigation had yet to begin.

 

Whose responsible then?

 

I don't get it.

 

Its like an easing of consciousness to immediately apportion blame as a part of Hi-So Thianess. Pointing the finger always has three coming back at you. It was a very dumb statement that goes on the world stage. What about an inquest to the cause and effect?

5 minutes ago, Wilsonandson said:

 

 

 

Whose responsible then?

 

I don't get it.

 

An inquest would help with the answer. 

Quote

Indeed, too often we witness how senior Thai officials are quick to place the blame elsewhere instead of dealing with the issue at hand in a responsible manner.

 

Sums it all up.

Thailand tourism safety has always be given lip service; after all it is an imposition that inhibits the making of money by just about all tourism operators. Water based and road transportation being the most affected.

I recall when Minister Kobkarn was running things she came out with promises of a meaningful safety enquiry after tourists were regularly being chopped to pieces by boat propellers when snorkelling.

Of course any impact from such an enquiry does not last long in LOS. Money is always the overriding factor.

 

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

the responsibility to maintain, inforce and mage safe sailing resting solely with the Thai authorities...

I think you mean ENFORCE and MANAGE.

 

Responsibility to maintain, enforce and manage the driving of a car, the disposal of litter, the sailing of a boat and many other activities  does NOT rest solely with the Thai authorities.     Big Brother is not always there to make sure I wear a helmet when I jump on my bike, so I have to accept some personal responsibility for my actions.  

 

Just as the crew of the Phoenix should have.

Edited July 19, 20187 yr by Radar501

What does anyone expect from a military leader that specialises in killing? They have no compassion and for them to be compassionate is completely alien to them.

Prawit et al are bufoons.....most with the intellectual wit of split peas!

 

Edited July 19, 20187 yr by ChrisY1

Maybe the general is still grieving for his own dead friend these things take time a lot of time. 

Between  the Chinese and the Thai, it is a race to the bottom to find out who has less compassion for human beings.

As previously stated.... this man is the real reason for the loss of all the cancellations and the billions of baht in revenue. Will their be any repercussions for the man himself? No. Should he has been forced to resign? Absolutely.... and this is not the first time. He's a stain on the nation, and an embarrassment the junta could do without. 

Oh dear broken again. 

 

 

How much more damage will he be allowed to create in this position? He would be a popular success to entertain the crowds in a TV show like "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?"

Prawit is such a dinosaur, time for him to become extinct.

 

On one occasion where a beautiful young British lady was murdered on a Thai island, I distinctly remember the initial response of a certain General was to point out how such tragedies could be avoided if only those young Western ladies would refrain from wearing provocative bikinis in Thailand ... frankly how much more insensitive, crass and dishonest could such a statement be ?

 

Today it's Prawit's turn to blame the foreigners... well, he obviously learns from the top.

 

While he's at it perhaps he should give us the names of the bad bad foreigner(s) who is/are responsible for putting all these obscenely expensive watches around his wrist ?

 

 

Edited July 19, 20187 yr by Yann55

The captain is the one who has total responsibility for a vessel. It is his decision and his decision alone as to whether the vessel leaves the port and if the passengers are adequately protected

4 hours ago, webfact said:

it is the responsibility of the Thai government to ensure that humanitarian assistance is provided to the victims. As to the issue of accountability, that can come later.   

Or not come at all.

What can be done to MAKE the Prayut regime accountable?

Nothing legally as it has a constitutional right to amnesty for any and all actions that would include negligence.

2 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Maybe the general is still grieving for his own dead friend these things take time a lot of time. 

Ha ha! Brilliant! One of the wittiest and funniest comments I've seen so far on the Prawit-and-his-watches affair!

2 hours ago, Radar501 said:

I think you mean ENFORCE and MANAGE.

 

Responsibility to maintain, enforce and manage the driving of a car, the disposal of litter, the sailing of a boat and many other activities  does NOT rest solely with the Thai authorities.     Big Brother is not always there to make sure I wear a helmet when I jump on my bike, so I have to accept some personal responsibility for my actions.  

 

Just as the crew of the Phoenix should have.

Although I agree that individuals do have responsibility for their own actions there has to be a mechanism in place (law enforcement and punishment) as a deterrent to stop them from making those poor choices especially when it affects other people, people could care less if you did or did not wear a helmet that is up to you because it only affects you, (in that case the authorities would be attempting to protect you from your own stupidity) equally the same if you decided to take your boat out on your own in bad weather or went swimming in the sea when advised not too - although it could be argued that you are then putting others at risk that might attempt to save your stupid ass.

 

However, other people would care if you got in a vehicle blind drunk and took to the roads, in that case you are putting others at risk, same applies if you decide to take your boat out to sea in bad weather with passengers on board and tell them it will be fine - in both these situations authorities need to make sure they are putting enough effort into stopping you from making those poor choices possibly by taking the decision out of your hands (especially when you are making money)  with regulations, laws, enforcement and punishment 

  

The assessment of blame to others is a national sport in Thailand!  The fact that there was no enforcement of the existing marine safety laws that tourists rely on for safety is of no importance.  It is always the farangs fault here!

Edited July 19, 20187 yr by metisdead
Bold removed, again. Please stop using bold font when posting.

No surprises here. Dont forget that Thailand doesnt have a government. LOS is under the control of marginally educated army goons and pimps wearing silk suits and ties.

They dont care about tourists or those reckless cave kids.  Its all about PR  and easy money.

Nothing else.

Yes, Chinese numbers dropped substantially at my partners's tour spa company. 

A wall is about to fall on beach road and kill some child,  if any Thai person is interested to notify city hall. 

Safety first! 

Fun second. 

Death till the very end.

Sorry to the victims. 

Is anybody else having problems with dooplicate posts? 

Edited July 19, 20187 yr by stud858