Can Thailand Ever Break The Culture Of Impunity?

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Can Thailand ever break the culture of impunity?

The Nation

As a signatory to various documents and agreements, this country still has a lot to live up to when it comes to protecting human rights

Human Rights Day today is an occasion to take stock of Thailand's human rights record throughout the year, which has included periods with Democrat-led and now Pheu Thai-led governments. Today is also Constitution Day, which should give further pause for reflection on recent political events.

The change of government in August, with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra taking office, has ushered in a different style of governance and a different leadership ethos. Her predecessor, former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, set forth a clear policy to break the culture of impunity concerning human rights violations in various parts of Thailand, especially the southern provinces, where the Malay-Muslim insurgency has been going on since 2004. Obviously, he did not succeed overall, but he raised a higher standard of respect for human rights and protection inside the country.

One of Abhisit's achievements was the report on the human rights situation in Thailand that was presented in Geneva in early October as part of the country's periodic reviews. Indeed, the report was the culmination of efforts by all stakeholders including officials and representatives of the various civil society organisations. The consultations for the report were intense and the outcome was a comprehensive and balanced assessment of the country's human rights record and current situation. The report received praise from the international community including United Nations agencies. Unfortunately, the current government did not pay much attention to the presentation, as it did not send any senior official to the hearing.

Towards the end of his two and half years in power, Abhisit tried hard to deal with the outcome of the April/May 2010 political turmoil - which resulted in 91 deaths - in the most transparent way possible. But the process was time consuming and has finally taken a new turn with the change of government. Now, Yingluck has to deal with this unfinished business, in which her party views itself as the innocent victim.

So far, she has not paid any attention to the issue. The floods in the central region, Bangkok and its outlying areas over the past few months have occupied her government's daily function and have temporarily diverted public attention away from the government's lack of clear direction on human rights.

However, now that the floods are receding, the government is showing its true colours by attempting to gain a pardon for fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the prime minister's brother. This effort includes trying to bring out and promote the Pheu Thai Party's own version of transitional justice, without much consideration of the whole juridical process. Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung epitomises the hypocrisy of the government and its audacity in trying to ride roughshod over the legal process.

Thailand is an open society and the media is free to report issues of impunity. Certain media outlets are doing better than others in exposing rights violations, and this is due to the level of competency of the journalists involved.

Sad but true, what this government has pledged in words and has actually implemented on the ground are two different things. The gap has given a very negative impression of Thailand's human rights record and its deep-rooted culture of impunity.

As a member of the United Nations and as a supposedly democratic country, Thailand has to meet all of its commitments to the international bill of rights without fail. The government, which won the last election by a landslide, has a duty to make sure that the country lives up to universal standards without any pretence. If it does not do so, it will be difficult for Thailand to emerge from this vicious cycle of corruption, rights abuses and impunity for the perpetrators.

-- The Nation 2011-12-10

[hanuman2543]

"Thailand is an open society and the media is free to report issues of impunity" This is what should happen. In an open society there are no taboos. When we saw last a government official punished for human rights abuses?

[virtualtraveller]

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung epitomises the hypocrisy of the government and its audacity in trying to ride roughshod over the legal process.

Well said. Abhisit is an angel compared to Chalerm.

[dominique355]

As long as the laws against libel and slander are what they are now, impunity will persist.

Indeed, if you risk prison for disclosing facts and the truth about another person, just because his reputation may suffer (even though he is a criminal), as long as the courts go with this, the facts and the truth about certain people will not come out ans they can continue, without shame.

Further on, Thai people have a very short memory. How else is it possible that people how stage a military coup and overthrow a constitutional government, thus showing their total lack of respect for law and constitution, get elected as Members of the Parliament only 5 years later?

The next point is the law which punishes people who criticize a court. In any civilized country with a rule of law, it is not only permitted to criticize a court and it's decision, but it is an essential element of jurisprudence to discuss court decisions, thus developing progress. But not here in Thailand. You risk punishment for contempt of court and the court can go on with its total insane decisions. No impunity.

[geriatrickid]

I can't wait for the criticism of Thailand to appear on this thread. Some of it will be genuine and offered by decent honest people.

However, I anticipate that much will come from people that are in Thailand precisely because they can get away with activities and behaviour that would get them in serious trouble back in their homelands.

[jimbeam1]

So far, she has not paid any attention to the issue. The floods in the central region, Bangkok and its outlying areas over the past few months have occupied her government's daily function and have temporarily diverted public attention away from the government's lack of clear direction on human rights.

So the floods occupied the government's total function?? OMG.

jb1

[noitom]

The editor talks a good talk, but The Nation doesn't walk the walk. There is virtually no "investigative" journalism. Sure, the editor comments on the experience of journalists, but who hires them, who guides them, and who edits them? So there is no will to evolve into a professional journalist with skills. What about walking the walk on issues like the airport closing, army atrocities, censorship, elite privileged class and their kids getting away with murder and small buyoffs? Fires in nightclubs and mass deaths, van accidents on super highways, and abuse of workers and the lower ranking people, police and army personnel abusing authority, and no investigation, no followup, no pinning anyone down, no commitment, no passion, no voice for justice and honoring the law, and no relentlessness. Only lip service, random questions, convoluted opinion and editorial pieces, no propositions of action, no sticking to it until it gets done, no walking the walk. So The Nation can carp all it wants about what's wrong with the state of affairs, but until it starts to be an articulate voice for the right thing and gets effective, it is merely enabling more criminal behavior with impunity.

[dominique355]

I can't wait for the criticism of Thailand to appear on this thread. Some of it will be genuine and offered by decent honest people.

However, I anticipate that much will come from people that are in Thailand precisely because they can get away with activities and behaviour that would get them in serious trouble back in their homelands.

Unless of course, it's the opposite and people who criticize here, do so because back home they could do so, but when they moved here, they found out that here they risk prison for the same.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

The editor talks a good talk, but The Nation doesn't walk the walk. There is virtually no "investigative" journalism.

The powers that be actually control the mass media here, and the idea of freedom of speech and press aren't as powerful here as in the West - where the the above statement is also untrue given the enormous corporate consolidation that has taken place over the last fifty years.

The only avenues where truly independent free-thinking and courageous journalists could publish their ideas without interference are very limited in their possible impact due to very small audiences - what percentage of Thais actually read regularly, and what percentage of those do so beyond entertainment? Very small.

Adding to the mix the Thai cultural imperatives of going along to get along, don't rock the boat, show respect to those "above" you and the result is there aren't many "independent free-thinking and courageous journalists" to start with, and if any really did try to initiate anything significant they would be quickly and effectively suppressed by many legal/structural factors, or in the end just disappear without a trace.

The end result is that the the following is simply not true.

"Thailand is an open society and the media is free to report issues of impunity" This is what should happen. In an open society there are no taboos. When we saw last a government official punished for human rights abuses?

[kirk0233]

The editor talks a good talk, but The Nation doesn't walk the walk. There is virtually no "investigative" journalism.

It is not even necessary for The Nation or a Thai language newspaper to perform investigative journalism. Newspapers and other media that are weak with regards to investigative reporting in the past have relied on foreign journalists to perform this task and then translated the findings to avoid persecution. If the report is unpopular the foreign media can always be blamed. Of course, even translated articles from foreign newspapers can cause Thai media problems, as it has in the past, if the focus of the translated news is presented negatively and has power. In some cases it has beneficial for reporters to keep silent through exchange of money; although Thailand is becoming much less insulated from the world and information is becoming more difficult to block.

[tjansen]

Probably influenced by my Catholic upbringing, my weak reading glasses misread the headline as -______________________Break the Culture of ImpuRity?

[Flatouthruthefog]

The editor talks a good talk, but The Nation doesn't walk the walk. There is virtually no "investigative" journalism. Sure, the editor comments on the experience of journalists, but who hires them, who guides them, and who edits them? So there is no will to evolve into a professional journalist with skills. What about walking the walk on issues like the airport closing, army atrocities, censorship, elite privileged class and their kids getting away with murder and small buyoffs? Fires in nightclubs and mass deaths, van accidents on super highways, and abuse of workers and the lower ranking people, police and army personnel abusing authority, and no investigation, no followup, no pinning anyone down, no commitment, no passion, no voice for justice and honoring the law, and no relentlessness. Only lip service, random questions, convoluted opinion and editorial pieces, no propositions of action, no sticking to it until it gets done, no walking the walk. So The Nation can carp all it wants about what's wrong with the state of affairs, but until it starts to be an articulate voice for the right thing and gets effective, it is merely enabling more criminal behavior with impunity.

You clearly know what you are talking about, but it is also (very sadly) crystal clear that you have not absorbed much of the local media/political/economic scene.

Get a work permit and become an investigative journalist. and see how long you last.

Or do a deal with foreign media, get the facts, then fly out before you story appears - with the intention of never returning.

I can think of no other way.

Anyone else?

[gamini]

since when did this government win by a landslide?? Less than half the votes. They did not win a single seat in the whole of the south of Thains and very few seats in Bangkok or the North West.

Edited December 10, 2011 by gamini

[philhal2]

In my Country and many others the freedom of speech ,reporting ,demonstrating and the right to protest all things was hard fought for and saw many people imprisoned , beaten , murdered , despised , ridiculed and prosecuted .

Due to the fact that whole populations of people supported those who had the expertise and courage to make changes ,stood beside them and risked the same punishments we have those freedoms in our countries .

Time for the Thais to stand as a nation , same as we have seen recently in many countries and demand the rights of free people living in a democratic country , or stay silent and accept the situation as it is .

Other people can advise or assist and risk all to help but it is up to this nation of people to decide what they really want and take the action to achieve their goals and their freedom .

Yes I am old enough to remember and to have supported those that paid dearly for my freedom .

And surely many of you , even the writers here are aware that you can be tracked on this or any other website and prosecuted for contempt of the courts and any other power here in Thailand just by posting your thoughts , so unless you are sure dont make silly statements about people commenting because they cant do it in their own countries , this is a very dangerous country to open your mouth in , let alone put it in writing .

I can't wait for the criticism of Thailand to appear on this thread. Some of it will be genuine and offered by decent honest people.

However, I anticipate that much will come from people that are in Thailand precisely because they can get away with activities and behaviour that would get them in serious trouble back in their homelands.

Unless of course, it's the opposite and people who criticize here, do so because back home they could do so, but when they moved here, they found out that here they risk prison for the same.

Edited December 10, 2011 by philhal2

[fire and ice]

The editor talks a good talk, but The Nation doesn't walk the walk. There is virtually no "investigative" journalism. Sure, the editor comments on the experience of journalists, but who hires them, who guides them, and who edits them? So there is no will to evolve into a professional journalist with skills. What about walking the walk on issues like the airport closing, army atrocities, censorship, elite privileged class and their kids getting away with murder and small buyoffs? Fires in nightclubs and mass deaths, van accidents on super highways, and abuse of workers and the lower ranking people, police and army personnel abusing authority, and no investigation, no followup, no pinning anyone down, no commitment, no passion, no voice for justice and honoring the law, and no relentlessness. Only lip service, random questions, convoluted opinion and editorial pieces, no propositions of action, no sticking to it until it gets done, no walking the walk. So The Nation can carp all it wants about what's wrong with the state of affairs, but until it starts to be an articulate voice for the right thing and gets effective, it is merely enabling more criminal behavior with impunity.

The correct term I believe you were intending to use here is "walk the talk" not walk the walk.

[hellodolly]

The editor talks a good talk, but The Nation doesn't walk the walk. There is virtually no "investigative" journalism. Sure, the editor comments on the experience of journalists, but who hires them, who guides them, and who edits them? So there is no will to evolve into a professional journalist with skills. What about walking the walk on issues like the airport closing, army atrocities, censorship, elite privileged class and their kids getting away with murder and small buyoffs? Fires in nightclubs and mass deaths, van accidents on super highways, and abuse of workers and the lower ranking people, police and army personnel abusing authority, and no investigation, no followup, no pinning anyone down, no commitment, no passion, no voice for justice and honoring the law, and no relentlessness. Only lip service, random questions, convoluted opinion and editorial pieces, no propositions of action, no sticking to it until it gets done, no walking the walk. So The Nation can carp all it wants about what's wrong with the state of affairs, but until it starts to be an articulate voice for the right thing and gets effective, it is merely enabling more criminal behavior with impunity.

What re you on about.

This thread is about Thailand breaking the code not how well a reporter does his job.

If that was the topic it would be wide open Particularly against the nation.

You tend to over look the fact that the government is the source of most corruption in Thailand and the rest follow at a great distance. Yingluck has openly thumbed her nose at the people who elected her she has given a half assed effort at mitigating the damage done by the flood and spent a inordinate amount of time trying to get her brother a get out of jail free card. She has been backing down on all her election promises.

The impunity of the PT is mind boggling. She does not even try to hide it she does it out in the front of every body.

[FOODLOVER]

The editor talks a good talk, but The Nation doesn't walk the walk. There is virtually no "investigative" journalism. Sure, the editor comments on the experience of journalists, but who hires them, who guides them, and who edits them? So there is no will to evolve into a professional journalist with skills. What about walking the walk on issues like the airport closing, army atrocities, censorship, elite privileged class and their kids getting away with murder and small buyoffs? Fires in nightclubs and mass deaths, van accidents on super highways, and abuse of workers and the lower ranking people, police and army personnel abusing authority, and no investigation, no followup, no pinning anyone down, no commitment, no passion, no voice for justice and honoring the law, and no relentlessness. Only lip service, random questions, convoluted opinion and editorial pieces, no propositions of action, no sticking to it until it gets done, no walking the walk. So The Nation can carp all it wants about what's wrong with the state of affairs, but until it starts to be an articulate voice for the right thing and gets effective, it is merely enabling more criminal behavior with impunity.

The correct term I believe you were intending to use here is "walk the talk" not walk the walk.

"Aristotle's followers are said to have discussed philosophy while walking about with him—hence their name: "peripatetics." I suppose they could have been said to "walk the talk."

For the rest of us, the saying is "if you're going to talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk"—a modern version of old sayings like "actions speak louder than words" and "practice what you preach." Another early form of the expression was "walk it like you talk it."

Many people now condense this to "walk the talk," which makes a sort of sense (act on your speech), but strikes those who are more familiar with the original form as confused".

Edited December 10, 2011 by FOODLOVER

[tamsom]

Thai culture is best described as: complex. What the news doesn't say is more important than what it does. The author of the Nation story is probably doing the best that is possible under the circumstances. Look how history is taught in Thai schools. Problems in the South?Hello? These provinces were annexed by the Thai army/government. Malay is the dominant mother tongue. The situation has been on the back burner because of floods, demonstrations etc. My Embassy wrote that my wife's mother tongue is Thai=what a joke!

Thailand is favoured because of geography and it is its greatest advantage.