Thai senator’s death penalty drama stirs up capital debate

[snoop1130]

Photo via YouTube/ Senate Channel

 

By Petch Petpailin

 

A Thai senator sparked controversy after proposing a more severe punishment for drug offenders in a parliamentary session that drug suspects must face the death penalty, and their executions should be broadcast on free TV channels.

 

During a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday, January 29, Senator Amat Ayuken spoke about what he perceived as lenient punishments for suspects in drug-related cases. He proposed revising the laws on drug offences to make them more severe.

 

Amat cited Singapore as an example, highlighting that the country imposes the death penalty on drug offenders. He argued that Thailand should adopt the same approach.

 

Amat further suggested that executions should take place within three months of an offender’s arrest and that they should be broadcast on television. Amat believed this would serve as a strong deterrent, preventing future drug crimes.

 

During his speech, ten other senators stood to show their support. Amat, appearing pleased, continued by addressing other members of Parliament saying…

 

“Do you all think we can do this? My supporters completely agree with me. My suggestion may seem harsh, but it is not. This is not about violence. It is about decisiveness.”

 

 

Diverse opinions

 

Some senators opposed Amat’s stance. Senator Angkana Neelapaijit, for instance, argued that his proposal violated human rights and human dignity.

 

She asserted that broadcasting executions would not deter crime and would also contravene Thailand’s Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act.

 

Angkana acknowledged that people have the right to express their opinions but suggested that Amat should study the law more thoroughly before making such proposals.

 

She added that, in her view, the solution to Thailand’s drug problem was to crack down on major offenders and enforce existing laws more strictly, but without resorting to violence.

 

Despite opposition from some senators, Amat’s proposal gained support from certain members of the public. Chalida “Ton Or” Palamart, the founder of the Be One organisation, endorsed his suggestion and called for rapists and other sex offenders to be included in the measure.

 

Additionally, some Thai netizens urged the government to stop treating drug users as patients and to impose legal punishment rather than rehabilitation.

 

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-31

 

 

[MikeandDow]

Bring back the war on drugs !!!

[KhunHeineken]

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

Bring back the war on drugs !!!

And the corruption that comes with it. 

[Ben Zioner]

Return to the dark ages.. Thailand!

[JackGats]

There we go again. Not only that, but "rapists and sex offenders" for good measure.

[Felt 35]

IMO, a middle ground might be a better idea, but once a person is sentenced to a long, or life prison sentence by the court due to cruel criminal acts it should stand⛔ Once a criminal....

Felt

[ikke1959]

He is right.. and start with the people who are in the Government and also who staged coups... and several people who damaged the country.. A big clean up live on TV  Many people know who should be executed

[Gottfrid]

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A Thai senator sparked controversy after proposing a more severe punishment for drug offenders in a parliamentary session that drug suspects must face the death penalty, and their executions should be broadcast on free TV channels.

Clearly the Guy gets it! Kudos to him!

[Emdog]

"...their executions should be broadcast on free TV channels."

Missing the ball here: should work out some world wide pay per view arrangement

Make hay while the sun shines

[spidermike007]

Personally I think the death penalty is a good thing under certain circumstances, and I think that he's on to something when he says that the penalty should be carried out within 90 days, but it should be applied toward far more serious crimes like dealing in heinous drugs like Fentanyl perhaps, but more appropriately for serial rapists, serial killers, and people who engage in truly horrific crimes.

 

Not peddling drugs, the war on drugs has failed miserably, and this absolute nitwit apparently hasn't been clued in. 

[Will B Good]

I'm surprised so many thought what he was suggesting was funny.

[Peterphuket]

6 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Personally I think the death penalty is a good thing under certain circumstances, and I think that he's on to something when he says that the penalty should be carried out within 90 days, but it should be applied toward far more serious crimes like dealing in heinous drugs like Fentanyl perhaps, but more appropriately for serial rapists, serial killers, and people who engage in truly horrific crimes.

 

Not peddling drugs, the war on drugs has failed miserably, and this absolute nitwit apparently hasn't been clued in. 

Name me one country where the war on drugs has not failed.
Well, one maybe, Singapore?

[sambum]

1 hour ago, Emdog said:

"...their executions should be broadcast on free TV channels."

Missing the ball here: should work out some world wide pay per view arrangement

Make hay while the sun shines

 

Not like a Thai politician to miss out on a money making opportunity! 🙂

[Ben Zioner]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo via YouTube/ Senate Channel

 

 

 

Is this a Nazi salute?

[Thingamabob]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Personally I think the death penalty is a good thing under certain circumstances, and I think that he's on to something when he says that the penalty should be carried out within 90 days, but it should be applied toward far more serious crimes like dealing in heinous drugs like Fentanyl perhaps, but more appropriately for serial rapists, serial killers, and people who engage in truly horrific crimes.

 

Not peddling drugs, the war on drugs has failed miserably, and this absolute nitwit apparently hasn't been clued in. 

Well said.

[Thingamabob]

The one problem I have with the death penalty is that, on occasions, the not guilty are executed. In the USA there were over 20 such cases in the last century. Imagine what it must feel like walking to your execution knowing you are innocent.

[thesetat]

Now that Thaksin is ruling the PM and telling the country what to do. And given his stance on drug dealers and users during his previous job as the PM. It seems to me they could actually pass this law and enforce it like Thaksin had them do before. 

[AhFarangJa]

17 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

Return to the dark ages.. Thailand!

Return, They have not left there yet.

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Personally I think the death penalty is a good thing under certain circumstances, and I think that he's on to something when he says that the penalty should be carried out within 90 days, but it should be applied toward far more serious crimes like dealing in heinous drugs like Fentanyl perhaps, but more appropriately for serial rapists, serial killers, and people who engage in truly horrific crimes.

 

Not peddling drugs, the war on drugs has failed miserably, and this absolute nitwit apparently hasn't been clued in. 

And what's missing in this speech by the senator, much more serious punishment for the manufacturers and major distributors of drugs.

[JackGats]

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

The one problem I have with the death penalty is that, on occasions, the not guilty are executed. In the USA there were over 20 such cases in the last century. Imagine what it must feel like walking to your execution knowing you are innocent.

Another problem with the death penalty is that with few exceptions it only gets applied to men.

 

Still, in my view the real issue here is that drugs is a victimless crime and should be legal, no less.

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Amat further suggested that executions should take place within three months of an offender’s arrest and that they should be broadcast on television. Amat believed this would serve as a strong deterrent, preventing future drug crimes.

A tad extreme but he does have a point...

[digger70]

18 hours ago, JackGats said:

There we go again. Not only that, but "rapists and sex offenders" for good measure.

Yea start Now , There are Plenty that Fit the bill for an   execution.  😇

[JackGats]

25 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

A tad extreme but he does have a point...

Which point might that be? An animal species that has irrevocably poisoned its own planet beyond livability has no moral right to murder people on account of a few grams of white powder found in some pocket.

[hotchilli]

2 minutes ago, JackGats said:

Which point might that be? An animal species that has irrevocably poisoned its own planet beyond livability has no moral right to murder people on account of a few grams of white powder found in some pocket.

But open to those who pedal fentanyl and other killer drugs for profit.

[Purdey]

Start by identifying the cause of drug taking. 

How can you stop dealers if you don't know why people take drugs?

[rudi49jr]

21 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Bring back the war on drugs !!!

Yes, let’s arrest, torture and/or execute drugs users and small time drugs peddlers, and leave the kingpins in peace so they can make a fortune and spread that wealth around amongst the powers that be. 

[Thingamabob]

3 hours ago, JackGats said:

Another problem with the death penalty is that with few exceptions it only gets applied to men.

 

Still, in my view the real issue here is that drugs is a victimless crime and should be legal, no less.

Well said.

[KhunHeineken]

5 hours ago, JackGats said:

Still, in my view the real issue here is that drugs is a victimless crime and should be legal, no less.

"victimless crime" - really???? 

 

You have no idea. 

 

How many criminals commit crimes to support their habit, once addicted?  Not everyone is a stock broker or lawyer and able to afford their habit. 

 

How many borrow, then steal, from friends and family, then turn to crime and / or prostitution? 

 

"victimless crime" - don't kid yourself.

 

Now, does the war on drugs work, NO. 

 

There are no easy answers, but at some stage, the community needs to to be protected from an individual who NEEDS to commit crime to support their habit, and that means incarceration. 

 

Note I said protect the community, not punish the drug addict.      

[dinsdale]

14 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

"victimless crime" - really???? 

 

You have no idea. 

 

How many criminals commit crimes to support their habit, once addicted?  Not everyone is a stock broker or lawyer and able to afford their habit. 

 

How many borrow, then steal, from friends and family, then turn to crime and / or prostitution? 

 

"victimless crime" - don't kid yourself.

 

Now, does the war on drugs work, NO. 

 

There are no easy answers, but at some stage, the community needs to to be protected from an individual who NEEDS to commit crime to support their habit, and that means incarceration. 

 

Note I said protect the community, not punish the drug addict.      

Legalize all drugs then there wouldn't be any victims of drug related crimes. Sadly this will never happen as the corrupt army and BIB generals would lose one very, very big income stream. Also and IMO it's a certainty, that the top corrupt officials would not be amongst those executed under this very draconian suggestion by a complete and utter fool. 

[Sydebolle]

Senator Amat Ayuken has my backing. It will not eliminate drug related crimes completely but you'll deal only with - definitely shrinking - unknown numbers. 
Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia serve as good samples.