'Brutality'at Army camps continues

[rooster59]

'Brutality'at Army camps continues

By Chularat Saengpassa 
The Nation Weekend

 

The Nation Weekend

 

With yet another conscript succumbing to injuries, many are left wondering when these wrongful fatalities will end

 

Private Khacha Pacha became the latest fatality of military-camp violence on Friday. He had been battling for his life for nearly a month.

 

The 22-year-old conscript has left behind his elderly mother, his pregnant wife and his toddler daughter. His family is now dealing with the pain that so many affected families had hoped would never happen again.

 

“I hope my son was the last victim, and nobody else has to experience this pain again,” Chittra Chormanee had said in 2016 after losing her 23-year-old son, Private Songtham Moodmud, to alleged torture. She chose not to file a lawsuit after the soldiers involved had begged for her forgiveness and the Army offered her an unidentified amount as compensation. 

 

The latest victim, Khacha, was a conscript at the 31st Infantry Regiment (King’s Guard) in Lop Buri province when three other soldiers allegedly attacked him on August 21. Since then, there have been conflicting accounts on the attack. His family was initially told that he was beaten while being disciplined, but later, senior military officers began insisting that he had been beaten during a fight among soldiers.

 

Yet, even though Army chief General Chalermchai Sittisart has been denying the disciplining claim, the public is not entirely convinced.

After all, the public has heard too often about the brutal punishments at military camps and several victims of these beatings have made the headlines. 

 

Last October, 18-year-old Phakhapong “Meay” Tanyakan, a first-year student at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, lost his life in murky circumstances just days after being allegedly disciplined by his seniors. His heartbroken family has been fighting for justice ever since, but to date, there has been no evidence establishing a direct link between the disciplinary action and his death. His family is now asking for an investigation into his autopsy procedure at the military-owned hospital. 

 

There were another two cases of questionable fatalities last year. On August 19, 2017, Private Noppadol Worakitphan, a 21-year-old conscript at the 45th Army Circle, died of a ruptured heart and massive internal bleeding. 

 

It was widely reported that he might have died because of harsh disciplinary action taken earlier in the day, but a military probe concluded that there was no beating at the camp and that something else may have happened outside the compound that affected Noppadol. 

 

On April 1 last year, 22-year-old Private Yutthakinan Boonniam succumbed to torture at a military camp in Surat Thani province and 11 soldiers have been taken to the military court over his death.

 

 

There are similar cases reported every year, and every time such reports appear in mainstream media, there is a call for an end to brutal punishment at military camps. 

 

Yet, even after the Army has had to pay millions in compensation to victims’ families and has faced loud criticism, this trend has not stopped. 

 

National Human Rights Commission commissioner Angkhana Neelapaijit said her agency had raised this issue with the government several times and even offered recommendations on how such tragedies can be prevented. 

 

In a separate interview, Cross Cultural Foundation director Pornpen Khongkachonkiet said her organisation had been trying to push military units to release details on how they punish soldiers. 

 

“To ensure transparency, military units should be able to describe how each incident occurred to the public. Let’s see if there was really no excessive use of violence,” she said. 

 

Her foundation has been helping the family of Sub-Lieutenant Sanan Thongdeenok seek justice after he drowned at the 1st Infantry Battalion of the Royal Guards.

 

Sanan, 30, drowned on June 6, 2015, after being ordered to swim non-stop

 

The Army is negotiating compensation with his family, and no lawsuit has been filed due to weak evidence.

 

One of the most high-profile cases, so far, is probably that of Private Wichien Phueksom. 

 

Holding a master’s degree and spending a long time in monkhood, the 25-year-old was reportedly unfamiliar with military surroundings. He ended up being disciplined harshly during his time at the 4th Development Battalion in Narathiwat Rajanagarind Military Camp. 

 

His death on June 5, 2011 was put down to acute kidney failure. His body showed signs of serious physical abuse prompting his family to fight hard for justice. Yet, one of Wichien’s nieces faced threats and even an arrest warrant during the battle. 

 

The Army has offered Bt6.5 million in compensation to settle the civil lawsuit, and criminal proceedings are ongoing. 

 

“Delayed justice is no justice,” Wichien’s niece Narissarawan Kaewnopparat lamented.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30354504

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-15

 

[Samui Bodoh]

"...With yet another conscript succumbing to injuries, many are left wondering when these wrongful fatalities will end...?"

 

They won't end until they are stopped. And, it is clear that they won't be stopped by the military itself.

 

If someone applied for a job, was accepted, became a trainee at 7-11, then made mistakes, and the older staff beat him until he died, they would (quite properly) be arrested, charged, convicted and sentenced to jail for a long, long time.

 

However, if a man is conscripted against his will, forced to join the military, makes mistakes, and is beaten to death by the older members of his unit, it does not seem to be a serious crime.

 

What's wrong with this picture?

 

Thailand desperately needs to have true civilian oversight of its military; it is clear beyond a shadow of doubt (deaths, coups, corruption, 'shady' dealings, human trafficking, etc etc etc) That the military is unable and unwilling to properly govern itself.

 

Until there is true civilian control over the military, Thailand will remain a true third-world country with all the negative aspects and connotations that entails.. 

 

PS R.I.P. to the 10 pictured above. And, how many more are there that don't make the papers? Anyone hazard a guess?

 

 

[Darcula]

This could be damaging to Thailand's war industry. Big Joke should investigate.

[Thechook]

Why on earth do they need conscription?  Poor kids taken away from thier families and beaten to death.  The problem is the Military answer to absolutely no one in Thailand.  If the government or judiciary try to move against them, a coup happens and the military arrest those that speak against them.  These kids are just fodder to be used and abused by the elite officer class

[PatOngo]

Know Your Enemy ……………. Sun Tzu's The Art of War.

[Thechook]

2 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...With yet another conscript succumbing to injuries, many are left wondering when these wrongful fatalities will end...?"

 

They won't end until they are stopped. And, it is clear that they won't be stopped by the military itself.

 

If someone applied for a job, was accepted, became a trainee at 7-11, then made mistakes, and the older staff beat him until he died, they would (quite properly) be arrested, charged, convicted and sentenced to jail for a long, long time.

 

However, if a man is conscripted against his will, forced to join the military, makes mistakes, and is beaten to death by the older members of his unit, it does not seem to be a serious crime.

 

What's wrong with this picture?

 

Thailand desperately needs to have true civilian oversight of its military; it is clear beyond a shadow of doubt (deaths, coups, corruption, 'shady' dealings, human trafficking, etc etc etc) That the military is unable and unwilling to properly govern itself.

 

Until there is true civilian control over the military, Thailand will remain a true third-world country. 

 

 

Civilian control, will never happen.  The military will simply overthrow any government who tries to control them. The military own the country and always have.  Just look at all coups because the civilians wouldn't tow the military line

[Lungstib]

11 minutes ago, Thechook said:

Civilian control, will never happen.  The military will simply overthrow any government who tries to control them. The military own the country and always have.  Just look at all coups because the civilians wouldn't tow the military line

I agree with you. And now with Pratcharat and ISOC deeply imbedded throughout all local villages and involved in every aspect of civilian life its an accomplished fact.

[Hayduke]

It's on you General. And if you had a scrap of integrity, you'd man up and stop hiding.

 

A basic tenet of genuine leadership is that you can delegate command but you cannot delegate responsibility. The self-appointed PM can dissemble and waffle all he wants, but…the one sitting at the big desk has to own everything.

 

Sadly, the General and his cronies only want to 'own' the perks of high office; they don't want any part of the accountability.

 

[Cadbury]

34 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

I agree with you. And now with Pratcharat and ISOC deeply imbedded throughout all local villages and involved in every aspect of civilian life its an accomplished fact.

Yes indeed, right throughout the villages and even including kindergarten children. Makes one wonder if these bullies punish kindergarten children like they do conscripts.

As one Thai who is living in exile in Japan said:

 "Oh my God, this is the worst form of cultural revolution".

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-23/thai-junta-introduces-idealogical-boot-camp-for-kindergarten/8145362

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, Thechook said:

Civilian control, will never happen.

Yes, they serve the shadowy elite, not the Thai people. 

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

National Human Rights Commission commissioner Angkhana Neelapaijit said her agency had raised this issue with the government several times and even offered recommendations on how such tragedies can be prevented. 

Soldiering is one of the oldest professions on earth.  Soldiers do bad things if they are undisciplined and have nothing to do.  These deaths should automatically call into question the professionalism of command and its commanders.  Sadly, outside of some forest rangers,  exemplar commanders are probably few and far between, leaving no yardstick by which to be measured.      

[Oziex1]

The other side of bullying is cowardice, are these soldiers truly up to a real fight against well trained and equipped fighters. 

[soalbundy]

2 hours ago, Thechook said:

Civilian control, will never happen.  The military will simply overthrow any government who tries to control them. The military own the country and always have.  Just look at all coups because the civilians wouldn't tow the military line

That is not a nice way to talk about the nations saviours, you deserve to be beaten with a steel helmet, in a spiritual Buddhist sort of way of course.

[phantomfiddler]

There is usually one instigator, one person compelling the rest of his buddies to do the damage.

[Jonmarleesco]

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Yet, even after the Army has had to pay millions in compensation to victims’ families ... this trend has not stopped. 

Obviously not. After all, money is only money; in the case of the army, taxpayers' money.

[Jonmarleesco]

5 hours ago, Thechook said:

Civilian control, will never happen.

It has in the past. Thaksin's brother - or in-law - was then in charge.

[Jonmarleesco]

3 hours ago, Oziex1 said:

The other side of bullying is cowardice, are these soldiers truly up to a real fight against well trained and equipped fighters. 

What do you think?

[hotchilli]

Do we actually expect things to change??

 

[Srikcir]

Does not the Thai military tradition fail Buddhism?

"The first of the five precepts that all Buddhists should follow is "Avoid killing, or harming any living thing."

Buddhism is essentially a peaceful tradition. Nothing in Buddhist scripture gives any support to the use of violence as a way to resolve conflict." http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/buddhistethics/war.shtml

 

What followed the military's coup of 1932 is a constant state of war of the military against its own nation.

• The Thai military by its history does not protect and honor the People's constitutions, nor does it hold itself accountable to the People's rule of laws.
• Prayut's 20-year national reform strategy has no plans to reform the military, and the police  (instrumental collaborators in military coups) reform was outside the scope of the 20-year national plan. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30342659

The  military seems to have become ironically the greatest persistent threat to the nation with no will to amend itself:

• "It doesn’t understand that it cannot earn a mandate from the people and at the same time continue with the form of governance that puts the rulers above the law."   http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30342959

In the final analysis one might ask - What good is the Thai military leadership to the Thai People?

 

[sharpjwe]

What is more disgusting 

than adults in power 

kill kids in their care

 

they are weak 

[thaiguzzi]

8 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The 22-year-old conscript has left behind his elderly mother, his pregnant wife and his toddler daughter.

Now Mr P. Get your wallet out. 1 mil, 5 mil, 10 mil. It aint f###ing enough!

8 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Since then, there have been conflicting accounts on the attack

Lies lies lies and more lies.

Surely the general population see thru this?

***************

I just pray to God, this lot are gone from the trough and a civilian govt can finally end the military's power in civvy street.

I just need to see in my lifetime Mr P and his close cronies hanging from a lamp post in public for treason.

The Last Coup. No more!

Vivre La Siam!

 

 

[off road pat]

9 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Know Your Enemy ……………. Sun Tzu's The Art of War.

With friends like that ? who needs enemies ???

[Winky Wilson]

It is obviously difficult to make it as a Thai soldier. No one said it was ethical or easy.

[Artisi]

11 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...With yet another conscript succumbing to injuries, many are left wondering when these wrongful fatalities will end...?"

 

They won't end until they are stopped. And, it is clear that they won't be stopped by the military itself.

 

If someone applied for a job, was accepted, became a trainee at 7-11, then made mistakes, and the older staff beat him until he died, they would (quite properly) be arrested, charged, convicted and sentenced to jail for a long, long time.

 

However, if a man is conscripted against his will, forced to join the military, makes mistakes, and is beaten to death by the older members of his unit, it does not seem to be a serious crime.

 

What's wrong with this picture?

 

Thailand desperately needs to have true civilian oversight of its military; it is clear beyond a shadow of doubt (deaths, coups, corruption, 'shady' dealings, human trafficking, etc etc etc) That the military is unable and unwilling to properly govern itself.

 

Until there is true civilian control over the military, Thailand will remain a true third-world country with all the negative aspects and connotations that entails.. 

 

PS R.I.P. to the 10 pictured above. And, how many more are there that don't make the papers? Anyone hazard a guess?

 

 

   "What's wrong with this picture?" as far as the military and those in charge, currently and previously, absolutely nothing -- we know nothing as Sgt Shultz would say. 

[Artisi]

4 hours ago, sharpjwe said:

What is more disgusting 

than adults in power 

kill kids in their care

 

they are weak 

weak, weak doesn't even come close to describing them - you could start with murder's and work up from there.

[Thingamabob]

This brings shame on Thailand. Utterly repulsive.

[Artisi]

4 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Does not the Thai military tradition fail Buddhism?

"The first of the five precepts that all Buddhists should follow is "Avoid killing, or harming any living thing."

Buddhism is essentially a peaceful tradition. Nothing in Buddhist scripture gives any support to the use of violence as a way to resolve conflict." http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/buddhistethics/war.shtml

 

What followed the military's coup of 1932 is a constant state of war of the military against its own nation.

• The Thai military by its history does not protect and honor the People's constitutions, nor does it hold itself accountable to the People's rule of laws.
• Prayut's 20-year national reform strategy has no plans to reform the military, and the police  (instrumental collaborators in military coups) reform was outside the scope of the 20-year national plan. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30342659

The  military seems to have become ironically the greatest persistent threat to the nation with no will to amend itself:

• "It doesn’t understand that it cannot earn a mandate from the people and at the same time continue with the form of governance that puts the rulers above the law."   http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30342959

In the final analysis one might ask - What good is the Thai military leadership to the Thai People?

 

What good is the Thai military leadership to the Thai People? - a rhetorical question under the current junta.

 

Unfortunately they had a good opportunity to actually do something constructive, many people were possibly on their side initially, but stupidity, greed, inaction, and what's in it for me  got in the way -- they have blown it big time and are now waffling around  trying to look good, but the horse has bolted. 

[Artisi]

6 hours ago, Jonmarleesco said:

What do you think?

Not capable, would pee in their pants at the first shot - well maybe not the canon fodder so much, but the "experts" in charge certainly would as they heroically lead from a long way behind the front lines.

[Stargeezr]

I am Royally upset by these continued killings within the military and wished my last

name was King. Then I could say I am a King and want the military commanders that

lead these troups to be held responsible for these deaths and be put into prison for

these deaths. Sadly I am not a King so guess I can only complain on forums.

Geezer

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

I am Royally upset by these continued killings within the military and wished my last

name was King. Then I could say I am a King and want the military commanders that

lead these troups to be held responsible for these deaths and be put into prison for

these deaths. Sadly I am not a King so guess I can only complain on forums.

Geezer

You do raise indirectly the issue as to why there is no Institutional (ie., the Pillars of Thai society) criticism and/or action regarding the Thai military's unabated abuse of its troops. It's clear that the behavior of the military is beyond the Thai electorate's control even though supposedly the sovereignty of the nation belongs to the Thai People. It doesn't.

[mikebell]

A couple of oxymorons: Military Intelligence; Thai Justice!