Equal Justice Under Law: The Case Against Expedited Parole for Thaksin: Opinion

[webfact]

 

(In response to this article Editorial: Thaksin Should Be Released)

 

We have only just passed January, and Thailand’s justice system is already not off to a great start this year. But releasing Thaksin on parole this month will only make it worse.

 

A Thai Enquirer editorial claims that “[r]eleasing Thaksin on parole is, therefore, a matter of upholding the rule of law and the principles of a fair judicial process. It is about asserting that in a democracy, even those who are politically inconvenient have rights that must be respected. It is a statement that the legal system should not be wielded as a weapon to settle political scores but should stand as an impartial arbiter of justice.”

 

This comes after an announcement by the Department of Corrections that Thaksin will soon be eligible for parole, and he qualifies due to his age and deteriorating health.

 

Releasing Thaksin on parole, unlike what the editorial claims, is not about upholding the rule of law. In fact, the message that Thaksin’s parole will give to the Thai people is precisely the opposite.

 

The rule of law is about all persons being equal under the law, and that no one is above the law. It entails principles of equality, fairness, and justice.

 

I fail to see how releasing Thaksin would uphold these principles. On the contrary, giving special consideration and fast-tracking his eligibility for parole due to his infamous status, while hundreds of prisoners are waiting in line, undermines equality under the law.

 

by Lynn Sasinpong

 

Full story: THAI ENQUIRER 2024-02-05

 

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[OneMoreFarang]

Do a "small crime", go to jail and stay in jail.

Do crimes on national level and make billions: Never go to jail.

What do we learn from that?

It's no surprise that lots of influential people continue with their crimes. Because most of them never go to jail.

 

That reminds me: What happened to the people who got jailed for picking mushrooms in the wrong forest? Are they still in jail? 

[ikke1959]

Compare this case with a section 112 case..... Obvious the latter is far worse. And even the CC doesn't see that the punishment for section 112 are too severe for too little

[ezzra]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

his comes after an announcement by the Department of Corrections that Thaksin will soon be eligible for parole, and he qualifies due to his age and deteriorating health.

According to who? well paid, corrupt cronies physicians on his payroll?  but than again, where in this country can you get an

honest and uncorrupted assessment? nowhere in seems when it comes to big people with big money and influence...

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

This comes after an announcement by the Department of Corrections that Thaksin will soon be eligible for parole, and he qualifies due to his age and deteriorating health

I'm just waiting to see how soon after his parole is granted we will see him miraculously back to full health and back in the public eye.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

. It is a statement that the legal system should not be wielded as a weapon to settle political scores but should stand as an impartial arbiter of justice.”

But THIS IS THAILAND.... just follow the MFP debacle.

[TheFishman1]

From the second he return the fixed was in on every level possible he spends a few hours at the prison then gets helicopter free ride to a hospital suite which is not paying for and remain there for Wut over 130 days now I don’t know if anybody that ever got sick they stay in the hospital that long I’m sure it’s just waiting to get the sign, sealed and delivered that he’s been pardon or his time has been totally reduced and then he’ll go home there’s no justice in this country TIT 

[Red Forever]

I'm loving the comments from farang who never met this old man and whose lives have never been negatively affected by his premiership yet become so exercised at the mention of his name. 

Pavlovian or what! 

Thai people don't give a stuff. 

Move on to your next windmills you Quixotes. 

[still kicking]

6 hours ago, Red Forever said:

I'm loving the comments from farang who never met this old man and whose lives have never been negatively affected by his premiership yet become so exercised at the mention of his name. 

Pavlovian or what! 

Thai people don't give a stuff. 

Move on to your next windmills you Quixotes. 

You got no frecken idea I know over 3000 Thais everybody is for Pita and hate Thaksin