It's time Thai society started holding people responsible

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
It's time Thai society started holding people responsible
Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- DIFFERENT GROUPS have different reasons for opposing the blanket amnesty bill, which many Pheu Thai MPs are going full-steam ahead with.

Some anti-government groups are fighting the bill because they can't bear the thought of ousted fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra benefiting from it, while others want to ensure justice and retribution for what happened on the streets in April-May 2010. These are just some of the reasons why anti-government groups and the so-called "progressive" red shirts led by Red Sunday leader Sombat Boonngam-anong are separately denouncing the bill.

However, this is not the first time that Thai society has tried to "forgive and forget" before looking for the truth and learning a lesson or two.

Nobody was ever held responsible for the deaths on the streets of Bangkok in October 1973 and 1976.

Nor was anyone held responsible for the deaths in May 1992, when soldiers used live bullets to mow down anti-government protesters, resulting in 52 officially confirmed deaths and many more missing. In fact, the May 1992 report was never fully made public.

Now, Thai society is moving towards ensuring that those who were responsible for the nearly 100 deaths in 2010 would neither be named nor held responsible.

Many red-shirt supporters feel betrayed by certain Pheu Thai MPs and red-shirt leaders. Back in 2010, when these leaders and MPs were on stage, they kept telling their supporters to fight to the death.

Now that these leaders are enjoying the privileges of power, they find it necessary to make a deal with those who were behind the deaths, telling their supporters that they have no other option.

In reality though, they have several options. One of them is to not allow any amnesty at all and let the judicial process - no matter how imperfect - take its course. This shameless excuse should also serve as an eye opener for those who blindly support Thaksin and his cronies.

Beyond Thaksin, Abhisit Vejjajiva - who was at the helm of the government in 2010 - and other high-profile figures will also be benefiting from this contentious bill.

So the question is, how will society make genuine progress when protesters continue being killed by those in power without ever finding out who is responsible or if they will ever be punished?

Thai society should not allow itself to be bogged down by either Thaksin or Abhisit, and instead start thinking about the future.

It should also look at the bigger picture and ensure that future generations do not face the risk of being shot and killed in broad daylight on the streets of Bangkok without anybody being held responsible.

I can't bear the thought of telling younger Thais that I did nothing to oppose this bill - thus putting the lives and rights of future protesters in jeopardy in what appears to be a never-ending cycle. This cycle can and will come to an end if a sufficient number of people take a stand and say, "enough is enough".

However, if we fail to bring a stop to this culture of impunity and amnesia, we may eventually end up marking more days on the calendar remembering bloody incidents that nobody was held responsible for.

Surely this is not the fate Thai society is condemning itself to?


-- The Nation 2013-10-30

[Thai at Heart]

It's time Thai society started holding people responsible

Can I frame this headline?

Sorry. I don't want to read the rest of the story. It should be the only headline on any newspaper in Thailand for the next 5 years.

[NongKhaiKid]

Another headline and article that states the obvious and that's as far as it will go.

Thais in position of power and authority are not big on accepting responsibility and the system isn't set up to make them do so because the rules and regulations are drawn up by those very people and others like them.

For Thai society to start holding people responsible will require a sea change in attitudes and that's unlikely to happen any time soon, if at all because that's not how it works here.

[virtualtraveller]

Trouble is, Thais can't even agree who should be held responsible. To the Reds, it's a foregone conclusion that Abhisit literally pulled the triggers that killed 91. They insist, because it was their plan all along. Apparently there was absolutely nothing wrong with hold a city hostage, with armed militia, for 6 weeks. No one who organised that should be held responsible for the clash. Of course, by this logic the exact same rules would reply in reverse should the yellows hold Yingluck hostage.

But it's good they are sticking to this unrealistic notion, because it's preventing them from getting behind Thaksin's amnesty.

[noitom]

This is another Thai "it's high time" point of view. Preposterous tripe. It's up to the Thai press to call attention to "specific" abuses and breaking of law with impunity. If the Thai press is too weak, intimidated, or inept, then who would beat on the table for justice and prosecution?

Try starting with some Ferrari cop killers on the streets of Bangkok as well as police colluding to obstruct justice. The Thai press should beat on that drum until justice is served. Who else in Thailand has the power to beat the drum? Better yet, who has the will in Thailand to ever see justice served?

The Thai press should stop preaching with platitudes and dreams that are not in touch with reality. The Thai press should exhibit a realistic approach to leading the charge. Set an example, common Thai press. Do your job to help turn around this sorry state of affairs in Thailand.

[selftaopath]

Peaceful protest is part of democracy. What the red flag did then was burn/barricade/take public property hostage etc. That is NOT protesting. Viewing the red brigade as innocents/peace keeping protesters is incorrect.

[ezzra]

It's time Thai society started holding people responsible

Can I frame this headline?

Sorry. I don't want to read the rest of the story. It should be the only headline on any newspaper in Thailand for the next 5 years.

It really should read ' It's time Thai society start holding government, police and army people

accountable and responsible...'

[Pib]

BURNING ISSUE

It's time Thai society started holding people responsible

Yes it is...but it won't happen. Most Thais want to avoid conflict and if there is any face-saving way to do so they will take that route which usually means just not wanting to address the issue anymore. While many will come out and briefly protest some issue they don't have the long term commitment to fight for the issue. "Mai bpen rai" may best sum it up.

[Andre0720]

It's time Thai society started holding people responsible

The problem is that Thai people are also part of that Thai society...

They will all take the Fifth....

[JoeThePoster]

It's time Thai society started holding people responsible

Evil spirits are people too.

[gemini81]

Time to start DOING and stop TALKING about it. Mr. Writer, get your butt out on the pavement and set the example and inspire people.

[klauskunkel]

BURNING ISSUE

It's time Thai society started holding people responsible

Oh, really?

[hansnl]

It's time Thai society started holding people responsible

Can I frame this headline?

Sorry. I don't want to read the rest of the story. It should be the only headline on any newspaper in Thailand for the next 5 years.

It really should read ' It's time Thai society start holding government, police and army people

accountable and responsible...'

Not complete!

It is high time Thai society starts holding government, police, army, civil servants, business and private persons accountable and responsible for their deeds.

[kiwiinasia]

For gods sack stop this rubbish.

If everyone is held responsible then no-one in Thailand will have face anymore and that could get dangerous.

Why do these stupid western ideas always end up in The Nation?

Thailand = Thai ways, lets keep it that way and stop this errant western thinking.

My god you'll want people to obey the law next.

[pisico]

This is another Thai "it's high time" point of view. Preposterous tripe. It's up to the Thai press to call attention to "specific" abuses and breaking of law with impunity. If the Thai press is too weak, intimidated, or inept, then who would beat on the table for justice and prosecution?

Try starting with some Ferrari cop killers on the streets of Bangkok as well as police colluding to obstruct justice. The Thai press should beat on that drum until justice is served. Who else in Thailand has the power to beat the drum? Better yet, who has the will in Thailand to ever see justice served?

The Thai press should stop preaching with platitudes and dreams that are not in touch with reality. The Thai press should exhibit a realistic approach to leading the charge. Set an example, common Thai press. Do your job to help turn around this sorry state of affairs in Thailand.

Indeed! 100% spot on!

Worry not, the head editors of all Thai newspapers, TV and radio stations will embrace your suggestions and accurate indications... as soon as they finish reading your words.

[Emdog]

No doubt all parties have enough dirt on each other to make it messy if any should be so foolhardy as to suggest accountability and responsibility. They could have nipped the protest early on with some well placed canisters of tear gas. I was down there before the shooting started, and it was more of a party atmosphere than a group of armed thugs.

[timewilltell]

The OP is spot on with the problem but offers no solutions.

[55Jay]

When he says "Thai Society", who is he referring to?

"Thinking about the future" means different things to different people.

For many living the subsistence economy life, "the future" is tomorrow.

[Mudlover]

"It should also look at the bigger picture and ensure that future generations do not face the risk of being shot and killed in broad daylight on the streets of Bangkok without anybody being held responsible."

This is another Thai "it's high time" point of view. Preposterous tripe. It's up to the Thai press to call attention to "specific" abuses and breaking of law with impunity. If the Thai press is too weak, intimidated, or inept, then who would beat on the table for justice and prosecution?

Try starting with some Ferrari cop killers on the streets of Bangkok as well as police colluding to obstruct justice. The Thai press should beat on that drum until justice is served. Who else in Thailand has the power to beat the drum? Better yet, who has the will in Thailand to ever see justice served?

The Thai press should stop preaching with platitudes and dreams that are not in touch with reality. The Thai press should exhibit a realistic approach to leading the charge. Set an example, common Thai press. Do your job to help turn around this sorry state of affairs in Thailand.

Add the hundreds murdered during Thaksin's "war on drugs" in 2003/4 to the list. I can't understand why the press / human rights groups / victims' families aren't pushing for justice in that case.

[cup-O-coffee]

Mr. Pravit Rojanaphruk

It's really ironic and a bit stupid to stand up at this point and preach about things of which you and the people you live among have no concept of, nor seem to give a damn when taking this standard and applying it to every senseless death throughout your fine land, most of which are brought on by the same lunacy which compels you to rant. It's about as ludicrous as standing up in the middle of a riot and yelling, "Fire", but you try to paint the riot as a theater.

I do not see much difference in crying "murder" and "justice" whilst at the same time tolerating (ignoring) lunatics who irresponsibly and unaccountably go forth every day and kill each other off through acts of utter lunacy. You are crying about "reasons". I am pointing out reality, regardless of reasons, and no one is doing anything about that.

The reality is that people who are not protesting are being kept dumb and ignorant by the very elite you single out over an isolated incident, or a few isolated incidents that are related to "protesting".

How about protesting against money not going towards the betterment and well-being of the everyday victims of lunacy, whose death count far supersede a few "protests", and continue to increase in count until the next "protest".

Thai people need to stop protesting about the big, impossible things, and take ownership of their neighborhoods and communities and protest about that instead. Their blood would go a lot further than political issues which affect them neither good or bad, regardless of the outcome.

Being shot down by a drug gang when 10,000 angry Thais show up at their "hang-out" to lynch them is much more noble than getting shot for rallying and protesting some politician's political views.

You sir, are wasting your time and mine.

[SjaakNL2013]

I must watch out.... Thailand HUB of the responsible people

[Thai at Heart]

"It should also look at the bigger picture and ensure that future generations do not face the risk of being shot and killed in broad daylight on the streets of Bangkok without anybody being held responsible."

This is another Thai "it's high time" point of view. Preposterous tripe. It's up to the Thai press to call attention to "specific" abuses and breaking of law with impunity. If the Thai press is too weak, intimidated, or inept, then who would beat on the table for justice and prosecution?

Try starting with some Ferrari cop killers on the streets of Bangkok as well as police colluding to obstruct justice. The Thai press should beat on that drum until justice is served. Who else in Thailand has the power to beat the drum? Better yet, who has the will in Thailand to ever see justice served?

The Thai press should stop preaching with platitudes and dreams that are not in touch with reality. The Thai press should exhibit a realistic approach to leading the charge. Set an example, common Thai press. Do your job to help turn around this sorry state of affairs in Thailand.

Add the hundreds murdered during Thaksin's "war on drugs" in 2003/4 to the list. I can't understand why the press / human rights groups / victims' families aren't pushing for justice in that case.

The whole premise of this argument is ridiculous.

If a policeman/soldier tells me to go home or surrender or he's going to shoot me, why should I be surprised if he shoots me?

This action happens everywhere every day. They were told go home or you will be removed and you run the risk of being shot.

What in earth would you do?

[BeforeTigers]

Precisely.
This exactly the impression I've gotten of society at large since moving here:
I can;t put my finger on it, but there's a general permissiveness. or, maybe, some sort of apathy or disenfranchisement that's enveloped all aspects of public life. People don't vote. Support is paid for. Politicians, at least the names you see in the paper, always seem to be in it for themselves. Where is the conscience? Where's the Greater Good?

If my brother were a shady c*nt and it threatened the stability of my country and millions of citizens, I have to say I'd lean toward letting him go on permanent vacation. That's a brother. Much less some asshoke that happens to be part of my political party. (and that's only addressing the first line on the agenda. I can't imagine what keeps lower ranking jackasses in their comfortable seats)

A zeitgeist that I can't seem to wrap my head around.

Just constantly stupified by headlines over here.

[FarangKino]

This might work better:

It's time Thai society started holding people farangs responsible

[sunshine51]

"It's time Thai society started holding people responsible"

This reminds me of a great song in a bad way....

[HaleySabai]

Responsibility,Ethics, Morality,Integrity are 'concepts' formed from platonic thought later influenced and applied to Western intellectual development and corner stones to the Judeo-Christian mind set.

​Buddhist thought is fundamentally different (yet a closer proxy to the true nature of the world) can be summed-up very simply;

In the West 1+1=2 ......in the East 1+1= "whatever you want it to be"

[Thai at Heart]

Responsibility,Ethics, Morality,Integrity are 'concepts' formed from platonic thought later influenced and applied to Western intellectual development and corner stones to the Judeo-Christian mind set.

​Buddhist thought is fundamentally different (yet a closer proxy to the true nature of the world) can be summed-up very simply;

In the West 1+1=2 ......in the East 1+1= "whatever you want it to be"

Nice explanation. However, there are simple moral precepts in Buddhism also.

[jpeg]

This is another Thai "it's high time" point of view. Preposterous tripe. It's up to the Thai press to call attention to "specific" abuses and breaking of law with impunity. If the Thai press is too weak, intimidated, or inept, then who would beat on the table for justice and prosecution?

Try starting with some Ferrari cop killers on the streets of Bangkok as well as police colluding to obstruct justice. The Thai press should beat on that drum until justice is served. Who else in Thailand has the power to beat the drum? Better yet, who has the will in Thailand to ever see justice served?

The Thai press should stop preaching with platitudes and dreams that are not in touch with reality. The Thai press should exhibit a realistic approach to leading the charge. Set an example, common Thai press. Do your job to help turn around this sorry state of affairs in Thailand.

Indeed! 100% spot on!

Worry not, the head editors of all Thai newspapers, TV and radio stations will embrace your suggestions and accurate indications... as soon as they finish reading your words.

To be fair, the BP (for one) did keep updating the Red bull and other cases. International press is the same, there's only so much mileage before people get bored and skip to 'this' day's news. They too must account to their shareholders, it pains me to say. it really rather is down to people everywhere having the attention span of a gnat. That's why the likes of Twitter are so popular.

I think you'll see the latest 'sensation' without any updates on the old 'ones', prevalent, well, anywhere

[HaleySabai]

there are simple moral precepts in Buddhism also.

.... yes, that is true,but the form is different,being based on duality. However, if applied the Precepts themselves will embrace all of the above 'Platonic ideas'....but,with a different motivation(form) behind them.