Yingluck Explains Absence

[webfact]

Yingluck explains absence

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she did not attend the ceremony held yesterday to present compensation to victims of political unrest, because she was tending to business outside Bangkok, and not because she was trying to avoid legal responsibility that comes with the payment as widely speculated.

Instead, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit presided over the ceremony, which was held at 3.30pm and broadcast live on Channel 11.

Earlier, Democrat MP for Rayong Sathit Pitutecha threatened to file a complaint with the National AntiCorruption Commission (NACC) because he said the compensation was an illegitimate expenditure of taxpayer's money.

A Government House source had earlier said that Yingluck wanted to attend the ceremony but was advised not to because it was still unclear if the payments were lawful, and since the initial compensation was only partial, recipients could be upset and possibly vent their anger at the event.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his government had already paid some compensation to victims of political unrest, adding that he did not know all the details about this additional payment yet. He said there was confusion because only half of the 1,000 people who had registered were deemed eligible and nobody was sure how much they would get.

He added that it would be appropriate to follow the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand's recommendation of paying affected families on a monthly basis instead of giving them a large chunk.

-- The Nation 2012-05-25

[webfact]

Govt compensation met with anger, sadness

Tossaporn Wongwaikolayoot

The Nation

Late nurse's mother accepts payment after Yongyuth agrees to let her take case to court

BANGKOK: -- The ceremony held yesterday to hand out compensation to victims of political unrest did not go as smoothly as expected because some beneficiaries were concerned about their rights and the payments because the government has not provided clear information yet.

Phayao Akkahad, mother of Kamolkate, the volunteer nurse who was fatally shot at Wat Pathumwannaram on May 19, 2010, initially refused to accept the payment yesterday morning, saying the contract did not allow those affected to take the case to court after they have taken the money.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit managed to calm her down, saying that she was only signing a document recording her receipt of Bt7.75 million in compensation and that she could go ahead with criminal proceedings and that he would also help her with it.

"I talked to her and she agreed to accept the payment and not take this government to court," Yongyuth said.

The ceremony, held yesterday at Government House, was presided over by Yongyuth on behalf of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who had to attend to urgent business in Chiang Mai. The deputy PM handed cashier cheques and Government Savings Bank savings bonds worth a total of Bt577.66 million to the 524 people deemed eligible. The atmosphere was of sadness, with some people losing their temper.

Apart from Phayao, two other people refused to accept the payment.

One of them was Punsak Srithep, father of 17yearold Samapun or Cher as he was fondly known, who was killed in crossfire on May 15.

"I am shocked because this government has always said that this payment is in compensation for human lives. But this compensation should not have any conditions and how can you possibly pay for my child's death," Punsak said, though he agreed to accept the cheque.

Though government is paying more than Bt7 million to the families of people killed in the crackdown, Punsak believes this will never make up for the loss of young lives. He added that though handing out money might calm people down, it would certainly not bring about reconciliation.

"This is just justice delayed, justice denied. The compensation came faster than I expected, but the justice process is a lot slower than it should be," Punsak said.

Another person who refused to sign the compensation protest was Nation Group photographer Chaiwat Pumpuang. His reason was that he was being given the wrong type of compensation.

"I still have a leg but I can't use it. My injury worsened but I'm not being paid for it. The government should take a closer look at all cases," he said.

Chaiwat said the government should also take into account the cost of treatment, adding that he had to provide more documents to prove that losing a leg is a real disability so he is paid the right amount in the second round.

"I believe this payment has only brought about 30 per cent reconciliation, the remainder really depends on politicians and the justice process," Chaiwat said.

Elizabeth Polengi, sister of Italian photographer Fabio Polenghi, who was killed during the government crackdown on May 19, 2010, also called on the government to find the truth and create a standard of political responsibility.

"For two years I have been fighting for my brother's case and my objective is to find the person responsible for this," she said.

Elizabeth quit her job in Italy and sold all her assets to fly out to Bangkok to seek justice for her brother's death. "I want the truth," she said.

BOX:

Types of compensation

Killed at the scene: Bt7.75 million

Succumbed to injuries: Bt7.95 million

Disabled: Bt7.9 million

Loss of important organ: Bt4 million

Loss of unimportant organ: Bt1.95 million

Serious injury: Bt1.175 million

Not serious injury: Bt695,000

Slight injury: Bt235,000

-- The Nation 2012-05-25

[waza]

What a circus, all that was missing was a clown, but she was at a business meeting.

Edited May 25, 2012 by waza

[necronx99]

And the big giant cheques, who are these people, Happy Gilmore?

How embarrasing for both the victims and the government.

And why is the victim waiing him? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

[xthAi76s]

And the big giant cheques, who are these people, Happy Gilmore?

How embarrasing for both the victims and the government.

And why is the victim waiing him? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

LMAO!!!! I NEVER saw anything like this until I came to Thailand. I was always like "<deleted> is with these giant checks?! Do they bring those to the bank? Perhaps a special bank for Big checks?"

[pedro01]

loss of unimportant organ?

Which one's are they then? The appendix?

[necronx99]

loss of unimportant organ?

Which one's are they then? The appendix?

Spleen?

[somtumlion]

Her absence is easily explained. She never attends anything that will tarnish her reputation of being a puppet for her big brother.

[nurofiend]

And the big giant cheques, who are these people, Happy Gilmore?

How embarrasing for both the victims and the government.

And why is the victim waiing him? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

LMAO!!!! I NEVER saw anything like this until I came to Thailand. I was always like "<deleted> is with these giant checks?! Do they bring those to the bank? Perhaps a special bank for Big checks?"

suspects sarcasm.... approves.

[FOODLOVER]

They died for her brothers cause and she does not give the respect to show at the "We sill make you rich ceremony"? I would think this could upset some people.

[nurofiend]

unless she was doing something else extremely important, then she should have been there, no question.

[Macmundi]

Those BIG cheques, did they win them from some sort of competition? or lucky draw? Absolutely ridiculous!!!

[noitom]

Issuing monthly payments is not a bad idea. Notice in the story that the recipients were"confused" with lack of information. Unfortunately, that's intended. Here Somchai quick sign the release if you want some money. If you don't sign it now, you won't get any money.

[nurofiend]

Those BIG cheques, did they win them from some sort of competition? or lucky draw? Absolutely ridiculous!!!

i suppose it's just for the photo, like when they use big cheques for charity events etc.

i don't think it belittle's anyone or makes a joke out of it, tbh.

[nurofiend]

And the big giant cheques, who are these people, Happy Gilmore?

How embarrasing for both the victims and the government.

And why is the victim waiing him? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

LMAO!!!! I NEVER saw anything like this until I came to Thailand. I was always like "<deleted> is with these giant checks?! Do they bring those to the bank? Perhaps a special bank for Big checks?"

suspects sarcasm.... approves.

looking back over the thread....maybe i was wrong, have you really not seen this outside of thailand???

[necronx99]

And the big giant cheques, who are these people, Happy Gilmore?

How embarrasing for both the victims and the government.

And why is the victim waiing him? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

LMAO!!!! I NEVER saw anything like this until I came to Thailand. I was always like "<deleted> is with these giant checks?! Do they bring those to the bank? Perhaps a special bank for Big checks?"

suspects sarcasm.... approves.

looking back over the thread....maybe i was wrong, have you really not seen this outside of thailand???

Only when someone wins the PGA or lotto....

[xthAi76s]

And the big giant cheques, who are these people, Happy Gilmore?

How embarrasing for both the victims and the government.

And why is the victim waiing him? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

LMAO!!!! I NEVER saw anything like this until I came to Thailand. I was always like "<deleted> is with these giant checks?! Do they bring those to the bank? Perhaps a special bank for Big checks?"

suspects sarcasm.... approves.

looking back over the thread....maybe i was wrong, have you really not seen this outside of thailand???

No, I have, of course. Publisher's Clearing House in the US has done this since the old days. I think what distinguishes the Typical Thai use of this

1) the amounts on the check are often paltry, embarrassing sums,

2) they are often presented in what I what I would consider wholly inappropriate situations (like necronx99 pointed out) and

3) perhaps the checks look so big because the people are generally smaller?

Y'know, like "here, I'm going to show off by presenting you with 10 bucks for your lost kidney, and can someone help me hold up this gigantic check cause it's too heavy and unwieldy for me to hold".

Edited May 25, 2012 by xthAi76s

[Reasonableman]

Larry David on anonymous donations

[nurofiend]

looking back over the thread....maybe i was wrong, have you really not seen this outside of thailand???

Only when someone wins the PGA or lotto....

or donates to charity, or to victims of crime?

[xthAi76s]

looking back over the thread....maybe i was wrong, have you really not seen this outside of thailand???

Only when someone wins the PGA or lotto....

or donates to charity, or to victims of crime?

No, I would imagine in most countries it's long been considered rather tacky.

[nurofiend]

looking back over the thread....maybe i was wrong, have you really not seen this outside of thailand???

Only when someone wins the PGA or lotto....

or donates to charity, or to victims of crime?

actually scratch that, maybe not directly to victims of crime!

i had just came accross an article about inmates from a prison donating money

to victims of crime but it went to charities involved.

http://cdcrtoday.blo...me-victims.html

so yeah anyway.. charities too!

* edited to remove big pic

Edited May 25, 2012 by nurofiend

[necronx99]

looking back over the thread....maybe i was wrong, have you really not seen this outside of thailand???

Only when someone wins the PGA or lotto....

or donates to charity, or to victims of crime?

Yes charity as a fob for PR/Advertising, but I have never seen a compensation cheque for a dead daughter given in such a shamelessly self promoting way

[nurofiend]

looking back over the thread....maybe i was wrong, have you really not seen this outside of thailand???

Only when someone wins the PGA or lotto....

or donates to charity, or to victims of crime?

No, I would imagine in most countries it's long been considered rather tacky.

ah, you always see it for charities!

i could find you hundreds of pics from a variety of countries, or just google image "donation cheque for charity"

[xthAi76s]

snip

ah, you always see it for charities!

i could find you hundreds of pics from a variety of countries, or just google image "donation cheque for charity"

Not in the way it's done here which certainly does seem tacky and inappropriate.

[nurofiend]

looking back over the thread....maybe i was wrong, have you really not seen this outside of thailand???

Only when someone wins the PGA or lotto....

or donates to charity, or to victims of crime?

Yes charity as a fob for PR/Advertising, but I have never seen a compensation cheque for a dead daughter given in such a shamelessly self promoting way

i think these compensation payments warranted some kind of ceremony... so big cheque / little cheque... wouldn't make a difference to it

being self promoting or not.

unless it's the ceremony itself you take issue with.

[AleG]

These ghouls keep on feeding on those corpses, what a disgusting lack of propriety to handle the "event" to score some political points.

Edited May 25, 2012 by AleG

[nurofiend]

snip

ah, you always see it for charities!

i could find you hundreds of pics from a variety of countries, or just google image "donation cheque for charity"

Not in the way it's done here which certainly does seem tacky and inappropriate.

well i disagree, in regard to charity donations.. they're done pretty much the same way.

have to agree to disagree on that one i suppose.

[longway]

These ghouls keep on feeding on those corpses, what a disgusting lack of propriety to handle the "event" to score some political points.

PR stunt of the lowest type. BTW those giant cheques are so inappropriate, they are comedy cheques and have no place here.

Want compensation? Leave your integrity, pride and dignity at the door.

Edited May 25, 2012 by longway

[Thai at Heart]

All rather ghastly and macabre.

As for waiing, well, that's social conditioning for you.

[nurofiend]

These ghouls keep on feeding on those corpses, what a disgusting lack of propriety to handle the "event" to score some political points.

PR stunt of the lowest type. BTW those giant cheques are so inappropriate, they are comedy cheques and have no place here.

Want compensation? Leave your integrity, pride and dignity at the door.

i certainly don't think the mother of the nurse has lost her integrity, pride and dignity... just her daughter.