An Example Of Calm Amid Grief And Pressure: Thai Editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
An example of calm amid grief and pressure
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thais, in contemplating solutions to the insurgency in the deep South, can learn valuable lessons from the reaction in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bomb attacks.

It's hard not to be impressed by the people of Boston, whose calm and humble reaction to the devastating bomb attacks this week has won the respect of the international community.

Humility and calm were displayed from the moment the two blasts went off at the Boston Marathon, one of the world's most important sporting events.

If anything, it raises the question of how a community or a society can be, or should be judged. Resilience in the face of devastation says something about a community indeed.

Pressure for answers, especially about who was behind the attacks, will grow as time goes on. That's understandable. But what should be applauded is the fact that hardly anyone has rushed to judgement on the identity of the bomber or bombers.

Commentators in the social media will have their say, but extreme remarks made via the computer keyboard should not be the benchmark for the strength of a society.

Nor should the treatment of an injured young Saudi man by some in the media who decided he was a suspect when in fact he was a victim. Like scores of others in the Boston attack, his body was torn by shrapnel from the explosions near the marathon's finish line.

Credit should be given to President Barack Obama, who, just hours after the blasts, set the tone, warning the public not to rush to any premature assumptions. And by not rushing to quick judgement, Bostonians are saying due process will have to take its course.

The scene in downtown Boston in the aftermath of the blasts reminded us of what takes place on the streets of Syria and Iraq almost on a weekly basis. But a knee-jerk reaction is no substitute for a calm mind.

Thai society, especially the security agencies and policy-makers who have been hit by the devastating insurgency in the three southernmost provinces, could learn a thing or two from the investigations underway in Boston - from preserving the crime scene to collecting evidence and eyewitness accounts, as well as videotape footage.

Too often our top security officials claim to know that a certain violent attack is going to take place. The idea is to show the public that they're on the ball. But they can never answer why, if they had prior information, they were unable to prevent the attack.

Perhaps they are too concerned about looking weak in the eyes of the public, and fail to cover all their oversights.

If anyone can benefit from the example of the Bostonians, it is the people of Thailand. The country has suffered ten years of bloody insurgency that has claimed more than 5,300 lives. Soft-target casualties and collateral damage have mounted even as governments consistently maintain that they are moving in the right direction.

And although the insurgent attacks are largely confined to three provinces, one should not assume that the violence can't spread to other parts of the country, including Bangkok.

In a situation shaped by devastating terrorist attacks, what matters are the right answers. Where America and the American authorities go from here will say a great deal about the US as a country.

"If you want to know who we are, what America is, how we respond to evil - that's it: selflessly, compassionately, unafraid," President Obama said.


-- The Nation 2013-04-18

[Thai at Heart]

Too often our top security officials claim to know that a certain violent attack is going to take place. The idea is to show the public that they're on the ball. But they can never answer why, if they had prior information, they were unable to prevent the attack.

Perhaps they are too concerned about looking weak in the eyes of the public, and fail to cover all their oversights.

What is a pooyai if they don't know everything?

[bigbamboo]

Too often our top security officials claim to know that a certain violent attack is going to take place. The idea is to show the public that they're on the ball. But they can never answer why, if they had prior information, they were unable to prevent the attack.

Perhaps they are too concerned about looking weak in the eyes of the public, and fail to cover all their oversights.

What is a pooyai if they don't know everything?

Just a poo?

[Locationthailand]

How does the Boston few minutes of bombs equate as an example of how Thai's should handle the more than 10 years of bombings in Thailand? Americans setting an example - "... selflessly, compassionately, unafraid..." What a crock of crap this article is.

[Thai at Heart]

How does the Boston few minutes of bombs equate as an example of how Thai's should handle the more than 10 years of bombings in Thailand? Americans setting an example - "... selflessly, compassionately, unafraid..." What a crock of crap this article is.

Well it would be refreshing if the average pooyai learnt the phrase, no comment.

[Halion]

Perhaps the public in Boston have somewhat more faith in their Government and security departments than the people in Pattani have and with bloody good reason too.

[Suradit69]

How does the Boston few minutes of bombs equate as an example of how Thai's should handle the more than 10 years of bombings in Thailand? Americans setting an example - "... selflessly, compassionately, unafraid..." What a crock of crap this article is.

I agree.

And considering recent events such as the tsunami, the riots & violence when Bangkok was under violent siege and the devastating floods, I think Thais have demonstrated amazing resilience, compassion and abounding patience in far worse situations than that which happened in Boston.

Certainly sorry for those killed and injured both in Boston and now in Texas, but considering the resources available for coping with such disasters, I don't think Thailand needs to learn lessons regarding compassion and resilience from Americans, most of whom would be basket cases if faced with all the frustrations most Thais experience on a daily basis.

[eddie61]

Too often our top security officials claim to know that a certain violent attack is going to take place. The idea is to show the public that they're on the ball. But they can never answer why, if they had prior information, they were unable to prevent the attack.

Perhaps they are too concerned about looking weak in the eyes of the public, and fail to cover all their oversights.

What is a pooyai if they don't know everything?

Just a poo?

are you talking about the prime minister?

[animatic]

Too often our top security officials claim to know that a certain violent attack is going to take place. The idea is to show the public that they're on the ball. But they can never answer why, if they had prior information, they were unable to prevent the attack.

Perhaps they are too concerned about looking weak in the eyes of the public, and fail to cover all their oversights.

What is a pooyai if they don't know everything?

Or, as in the west, they are concerned not to burn intelligence assets, who's usefulness can go on if they remain in place. Even if their info didn't completely prevent an incident, their intelligence was able to allow a government to better prepare for, deal with, the aftermath that could not be prevented more speedily.

In Thailands case they might say nothing

just because they expect to know everything

and can't show that they only know a little.

But, having been born walking distance from this disaster site, many, many, moons, ago, it was heart wrenching to see this, and I appreciate the kind words said in the article for the Boston citizenry.

Edited April 18, 2013 by animatic

[Wat dee]

Thank god for the Obama in the office. Trigger happy Bushes would have already levelled one of the

Israeli critic oilsource.

[Joe Mamma]

If somebody was bombing and killing people for 10 years in America? I don't think it would happen. I hope they catch and punish the culprits soon.