Authorities must protect activists from vicious thugs

[webfact]

Authorities must protect activists from vicious thugs

By The Nation

 

 

Junta under the microscope over failure to act against spate of violent political intimidation 

 

Authorities must investigate the ongoing spate of attacks on activists, which threaten basic civil rights in Thailand and also undermine claims of reform under five years of military rule.

 

The junta has supposedly spent the last five years cleansing the country of corruption and the violence it fuels. So why was pro-democracy activist Sirawith Serithiwat, better known as “Ja New”, viciously attacked on Sunday?

 

Ja New was admitted to hospital in Bangkok with injuries to his shoulder, head and face after at least five attackers beat him with wooden sticks on Ratchada Soi 7. The attack took place as he was collecting signatures for a petition to urge the 250-strong unelected Senate not to vote back into power General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who staged the coup that toppled an elected civilian government five years ago.

 

Parliament is set to choose a new premier tomorrow and Prayut is among candidates proposed by elected parties. Laws that were designed by his junta allow the unelected senators to vote in the PM selection process.

 

Ja New and other democracy supporters complain that the process is both unfair and undemocratic. We might add that it is nothing less than ridiculous for General Prayut to choose 250 people in order for them to vote for him to become prime minister.

 

Prayut promised five years ago after seizing power that he would reform the country to bring reconciliation and democracy. Instead, he has merely suppressed the basic rights of the people. Harassment of activists and anyone who voices political ideas different from those of the junta has been normalised under his regime. 

 

Ja New was targeted from day one by the junta, as he has championed democracy and civil rights since he was a student activist at Thammasat University. During the past five years he has been charged several times over his protests against the military-backed government.

 

Sunday marked the first time he had been physically attacked, though. Other activists who speak out on democracy and freedom of expression are more familiar with such brutality. Anurak “Ford” Jeantawanich has been viciously assaulted twice by thugs and Ekkachai Hongkangwan seven times, with two arson attacks on his car.

 

Ekkachai was last attacked on May 13, when four unidentified assailants beat him outside the Bangkok Criminal Court, breaking his hand and ribs.

 

Last week, six unidentified men on motorcycles assaulted Anurak near his house in Samut Prakan. The assailants knocked him off his motorcycle before running him down and beating him with metal bars, leaving wounds to his head, face, arms and legs.

 

As in Ja New’s case, the attack came amid political activism. A day before the assault, Anurak announced on Facebook that he would lead a rally to protest the selection of the House of Representatives’ speaker, which he claimed was part of a conspiracy to help Prayut retain power.

 

Last week, both Ekkachai and student activist Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak also reported receiving threats of violence. Ekkachai said he received a Facebook message saying someone has ordered him dead, and Parit posted a recording of a Facebook user verbally abusing him and threatening physical harm. 

 

No suspects have been arrested for the overwhelming majority of these attacks, raising concern about possible government involvement in the violence.

 

If authorities continue turning a blind eye to violence against activists and those with different political opinions, we can reasonably assume that the junta’s reform has failed and the regime is simply using all means available to retain power. Meanwhile it is ignoring the need to protect citizens from political thugs who are waging a campaign of violence and intimidation.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30370510

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-04

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

[Thaiwrath]

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

The junta has supposedly spent the last five years cleansing the country of corruption

I must have missed that one ?

I think "keeping the corruption solely for the elite" would be a more apt description.

[bangkokfrog]

But what happens if some people supporting the authorities are the thugs?

[Crossy]

18 minutes ago, bangkokfrog said:

But what happens if some people supporting the authorities are the thugs?

 

More likely the authorities are the thugs ????

 

[Chazar]

22 minutes ago, bangkokfrog said:

some

!!

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Ja New was admitted to hospital in Bangkok with injuries to his shoulder, head and face after at least five attackers beat him with wooden sticks

face it , thailand is a primitive place , maybe 3 generations or so from escaping 3rd world status

[colinneil]

Authorities must protect activists from vicious thugs hired by themselves would be more appropriate.

[Lungstib]

Disappearing activists, bodies in rivers, extra-judicial killings and the death of conscripts would suggest that the problems starts with military violence and runs deep into government.

[geoffbezoz]

2 hours ago, bangkokfrog said:

But what happens if some people supporting the authorities are the thugs?

There is no "if" about it. They ARE the thugs.

[chainarong]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

 

More likely the authorities are the thugs ????

 

Most likely, the top brass use the trickle down effect, pssst pass the word on ,so that it doesn't get back to them, that's an old Thai trick or its some miss guide trash that believe they are doing the right thing, however this Junta like those before them ,  never solved anything and never will, the country still remains divided.

[rkidlad]

But who will protect the junta from nasty words? 

[Emdog]

must be editing mistake: Authorities must protect activists from vicious thugs authorities

[Ozman52]

So not the UDD as they seemed to have disappeared. Perhaps their funding stopped? Must be somebody else's thugs carrying on what seems to be a Thai tradition.

 

Any suggestions on what form this protection should take?  A couple of police or military bodyguards following them around might help, and would promptly be called intimidation.

[mikebell]

Part of the Thai pack mentality.  'I do not agree with this man's words, so I will phone six of my friends to come round with weapons.'

Edited June 4, 2019 by mikebell
omission.

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Authorities must protect activists from vicious thugs

Just because police and military might dress in civilian clothing to disguise their pro-military allegiance would be no reason to call them "thugs."

The real question is who will prevent the "authorities" from "protecting" activists?

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, Ozman52 said:

So not the UDD as they seemed to have disappeared. Perhaps their funding stopped? Must be somebody else's thugs carrying on what seems to be a Thai tradition.

 

Any suggestions on what form this protection should take?  A couple of police or military bodyguards following them around might help, and would promptly be called intimidation.

A stern statement from the Interior and Defense Ministers will be useful and should be forthcoming. But silence almost seem like admitting guilt and encouraging the thugs even more.  

[Khun Paul]

For THUGS read Uniformed entities purporting to be State employees. Reminds me of the Brown Shirts in Pre war Germany !!

[MaxLee]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Authorities must protect activists from vicious thugs

They won't.... as you can witness

[BritManToo]

5 hours ago, bangkokfrog said:

But what happens if some people supporting the authorities are the thugs?

I would have thought the thugs were paid by Prayut and his cronies.

Probably soldiers.

[robblok]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

A stern statement from the Interior and Defense Ministers will be useful and should be forthcoming. But silence almost seem like admitting guilt and encouraging the thugs even more.  

Yea I wonder when I saw this before.. I guess it was during the bombing of anti government protesters against YL.  Same inaction same protecting of thugs by those in power. 

 

Only the faces change tactics seem to be the same for all of them.

 

Wish there would come a government that would go after thugs / criminals no matter who they support. 

 

Fat chance though all I see is an ever repeating cycle where the same dirty tricks are repeated by successive governments. 

 

Nothing ever changes here besides the faces of those stealing from the country. Sad. 

[Eric Loh]

6 minutes ago, robblok said:

Yea I wonder when I saw this before.. I guess it was during the bombing of anti government protesters against YL.  Same inaction same protecting of thugs by those in power. 

 

Only the faces change tactics seem to be the same for all of them.

 

Wish there would come a government that would go after thugs / criminals no matter who they support. 

 

Fat chance though all I see is an ever repeating cycle where the same dirty tricks are repeated by successive governments. 

 

Nothing ever changes here besides the faces of those stealing from the country. Sad. 

She came out strong against the attacks and the bombs. Told the police to step up security and offer compensation to those affected. So far nothing from the junta PM, Interior and Defense Ministers. Sad that you tried to slander one side for political gains. 

 

 

[robblok]

2 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

She came out strong against the attacks and the bombs. Told the police to step up security and offer compensation to those affected. So far nothing from the junta PM, Interior and Defense Ministers. Sad that you tried to slander one side for political gains. 

 

 

No slander Eric, just the truth only after the junta took over were bombers found. You know that i prefer the PTP in power now but that does not make me forget about their past. If you think how Charlem handled it saying go home we can't protect you was good, and the fact that only after a change in power people got caught shows me enough.

 

Like I said all sides seem to have their dark side and the PTP is no exception no matter how much you want to think that.

 

It was bad then, it is bad now and will probably be bad in the future too.  They all seem to love to intimidate their opponents and only condemn it when they are on the receiving side.

 

Would be nice to see some change in this area, but nobody will take the first steps. 

[ramr]

Other activists must protect activists from thugs.  

 

Fixed the headline.  No charge.

 

Waiting for the authorities to take action is a fool's errand.

[Eric Loh]

18 minutes ago, robblok said:

No slander Eric, just the truth only after the junta took over were bombers found. You know that i prefer the PTP in power now but that does not make me forget about their past. If you think how Charlem handled it saying go home we can't protect you was good, and the fact that only after a change in power people got caught shows me enough.

 

Like I said all sides seem to have their dark side and the PTP is no exception no matter how much you want to think that.

 

It was bad then, it is bad now and will probably be bad in the future too.  They all seem to love to intimidate their opponents and only condemn it when they are on the receiving side.

 

Would be nice to see some change in this area, but nobody will take the first steps. 

I am glad the junta found those bombers. Mostly linked to the south insurgency like the Big C and Ramkhamheang bombings although the Erawan and the spate of bombs in few south provinces are still stalled. Well the Trat alleged bombers were released. So really a mixed bag which include the Hospital bombing conviction by someone who just dislike the military and wanted to make a statement. Anyone I left? 

 

The junta intimidation does sink to pretty low level with those ending up in Mekong or dead in the cells or extra judiciary kidnapping and those attitude adjustments. They are unlike elected governments as they wrote themselves amnesty for all crimes committed. 

[geoffbezoz]

4 hours ago, mikebell said:

Part of the Thai pack mentality.  'I do not agree with this man's words, so I will phone six of my friends to come round with weapons.'

So is that what is meant by a six pack

[geoffbezoz]

16 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

I am glad the junta found those bombers. Mostly linked to the south insurgency like the Big C and Ramkhamheang bombings although the Erawan and the spate of bombs in few south provinces are still stalled. Well the Trat alleged bombers were released. So really a mixed bag which include the Hospital bombing conviction by someone who just dislike the military and wanted to make a statement. Anyone I left? 

 

The junta intimidation does sink to pretty low level with those ending up in Mekong or dead in the cells or extra judiciary kidnapping and those attitude adjustments. They are unlike elected governments as they wrote themselves amnesty for all crimes committed. 

Pol Pot did the same but despite Thailand sheltering him they got him in the end. So as an example the Junta should not be too smarmy about getting away with underhand activities, it could bite them back yet - hopefully

[Ozman52]

6 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

A stern statement from the Interior and Defense Ministers will be useful and should be forthcoming. But silence almost seem like admitting guilt and encouraging the thugs even more.  

Can you give me one instance where a "stern statement" by a politician stopped thugs, in Thailand or any other country?

[Ozman52]

3 hours ago, geoffbezoz said:

Pol Pot did the same but despite Thailand sheltering him they got him in the end. So as an example the Junta should not be too smarmy about getting away with underhand activities, it could bite them back yet - hopefully

Are you seriously equating Prayuth and the junta to Pol Pot and his jolly men who murdered almost a quarter of their country's population? 

[pornprong]

Geez, who could have imagined things would turn out as they have?

Certainly not the journalists at The Nation when they were busy cheering on the Suthep and the coup back in 2013/14.

[geoffbezoz]

9 minutes ago, Ozman52 said:

Are you seriously equating Prayuth and the junta to Pol Pot and his jolly men who murdered almost a quarter of their country's population? 

If you care to read the posts correctly the context was within writing themselves an amnesty against crimes committed. Exactly what the earlier poster has said regarding the Junta.