Do we want a country built on the deaths of children?: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Do we want a country built on the deaths of children?
The Nation

Leaders on both sides must step back from the blame game, begin a process of soul-searching and start talks on finding a solution

BANGKOK: -- A four-year-old boy and his sister, aged six, in Bangkok's Ratchaprasong; the five-year-old girl in Trat province. They were too young to understand anything about the political war being waged by adults who claim to have so firm a grasp on "right" and "wrong".

These children should have grown up to enjoy the fruits of a "mature" democracy. They should have had the chance to prosper and flourish under a system free from political corruption, headed by a leader who is focused on justice for all.

Instead, their lives came to a bloody, abrupt end while they were accompanying their parents on a shopping trip or helping them out on a street-side stall.

Children are the future of this country. Adults have the responsibility to raise them in peaceful, loving surroundings that foster an optimistic and creative approach to the world. Education should equip them with knowledge and wisdom, creating smart citizens who are able to help move the country forward.

Instead, they are being subjected to the darkest side of adult human nature, victims of the brutality of warring sides fighting each other over murky and confused objectives.

So far three children have been killed in this war. The brutality, cowardliness and inhumanity of those directly responsible for the attacks cannot be condemned strongly enough.

But they were also manifesting a more widespread inhumanity, evidenced by the reaction to the childrens' deaths on both sides of the political crisis. Instead of sympathy, deep dismay and soul-searching, there was furious pointing of fingers.

Rather than taking any responsibility for failing in its duty to keep the public safe, the government blamed the protesters, as well as the courts for banning officials from enforcing the emergency decree.

The protesters were no better, pinning the blame on the government and demanding that the caretaker prime minister step down and hand power to them. Rather than thinking their strategy could pose further risk to people's lives, protesters preferred to use the tragedy as a political bargaining chip.

Each side condemned the other's attempt to shift the blame, but neither looked at itself to discover why the children had died.

If killing children is the means by which one side of the political war will forge our future, then that future is worth less than nothing.

The killing must end now. It is time for the conflicting parties to take stock and begin a process of soul-searching over the question of why our children have to die. Will their deaths really help this country develop?

To the leaders on both sides: dump your personal ambitions and fear of losing "face". It's time to begin talks to find solutions. One death is too much; the killing of three children is unbearable.


-- The Nation 2014-02-25

[ShannonT]

Suthep, the biggest child in this circus, agreeing to talks with Yingluck that have been offered by her for months would be a start.

[kurnell]

I read that the father who lost 2 kids forgives the bombers. I can tell you right now that I never would and someone would suffer in return.

[Confuscious]

"The protesters were no better, pinning the blame on the government and demanding that the caretaker prime minister step down and hand power to them. Rather than thinking their strategy could pose further risk to people's lives, protesters preferred to use the tragedy as a political bargaining chip.

Each side condemned the other's attempt to shift the blame, but neither looked at itself to discover why the children had died."

Sums it all up very nice

[chooka]

Suthep, the biggest child in this circus, agreeing to talks with Yingluck that have been offered by her for months would be a start.

He is happy with the way things are going and sees no need for talks which may very well slow down the violence and deaths.

[angsta]

The editor of The Nation should be ashamed of himself.

The moral high ground? Give me a break.

Embarrassing and insulting.

[MaxLee]

"Do we want a country built on the deaths of children?"

Well, if the leaders, rich and powerful create a system that encourages beyond-repair-brain-damage-brainwashing-propaganda without questioning authority then it leads to such things as death...

If we punish or threaten children for being curious and asking questions for the sake of saving face, it can lead to fatal consequences in extreme cases.

If we let children sit in school 10 hours per day plus tutor schools for time wasting exams which are just multiple choice and don't encourage active thinking, but encourages early cheating and corruption and mob threats towards other kids,... need I say any more???

Edited February 25, 2014 by MaxLee

[Thai at Heart]

Children are the future of this country. Adults have the responsibility to raise them in peaceful, loving surroundings that foster an optimistic and creative approach to the world. Education should equip them with knowledge and wisdom, creating smart citizens who are able to help move the country forward.

On my God, I am feeling nauseous. Any more cliches around? What next.

"Have world peace and save the starving and poor". Who the hell wrote this?

[chainarong]

This is a low dig , that dosen't help anyone , there is enough happening in Thailand without involving the children, however , whilst not being critical of parents ,what are children doing in that area, when protests where going on , one would have thought to get the kids home safe , as I was not there I will reserve judgement, I know markets were involved , however how many times do you see young children at these protests , most wouldn't understand what is going on.

[noikrit]

QUOTE

Do we want a country built on the deaths of children?

SEEMS SOME PEOPLE DO !! ..... #ucken demented thugs !!!

[Blackmirage2013]

Killing children to further your cause is horrible... it is true.

But writing this article speaks the obvious and is like pissing in the wind.... trying to plea with asses like Yingluck who fakes as though she is concerned but actually doesn't really give a crap is like writing jibberish....

I think the best way to get her attention is to stick a note in Yiddish in a Louis Vuitton handbag and hope for the best. Airhead.

[Thai at Heart]

Killing children to further your cause is horrible... it is true.

But writing this article speaks the obvious and is like pissing in the wind.... trying to plea with asses like Yingluck who fakes as though she is concerned but actually doesn't really give a crap is like writing jibberish....

I think the best way to get her attention is to stick a note in Yiddish in a Louis Vuitton handbag and hope for the best. Airhead.

The nation specialises in these attempts to twang your heart strings. Its like a cheap love song.

The same words.over and over again. Our children are our future.

Boohoo. Too late now. The big boys are coming out to play and carve up the country.

[tomyummer]

What a stupid editorial. Overly dramatic. Of course the murder of children is mindless. Why write about the obvious?

[craigt3365]

A bit of a dodgy post has been removed from view, along with a few appropriate replies.

[Tanlic]

Do we want a country built on the deaths of children?

who writes this dribble? were they actually expecting someone to say yes?

Got to be in the running for the worst headline of the year award

[15Peter20]

Posters on this forum are regularly chastised by the powers that be for posting hyperbole and trolling and then are presented with headlines such as this to set the tone for discussion. Looks a bit silly to me and somewhat less than one would expect from a news forum that takes itself seriously.

[Stradavarius37]

No we don't. But sometimes tragedy allows stupid people a chance to reconsider.

[rwdrwdrwd]

So it is okay for massacre in traffic especially in holiday times and over 10k (some say 20k) people die in Traffic accidents every year (Thailand is in top 3) but when people die in demonstrations (which is expected, shit happens, tit!) they feel devastated?

People being killed is not ok full stop but.. You're seriously comparing traffic accidents with throwing grenades? Children are dead because of an intentional act of violence, get a grip.

Completely inappropriate and illogical analogy.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Edited February 25, 2014 by rwdrwdrwd

[LomSak27]

Back in 2010 April

The Nation and Mr Suthep who ordered the killings did not seem so concerend. Might explain that to those upcountry peasants

Good Luck

[MrJohnson]

Whilst I can understand the cynicism with which some readers might greet this article I must say that perhaps it needed to be written. The media, high profile people in Thai society, academics, business people, writers, artists, social commentators and all of the 'silent majority et. al. need to come out of the wood work and voice the obvious. It is time to put aside the hatred, invective, name calling, finger pointing blame game and look for the middle ground. While ever Thai society remains as ploarized as it currently is there will never be a resolution to this current situation.

I also agree with posters who have pointed to the shortcomings in the education system, the social and finacial inequality and failings in the judicial system. all of these things are systemic and need to be addressed but we need to start somewhere and maybe the 'hall of mirrors' is the place to start. If anything good can come from the tragic loss of life of those innocent children then perhaps this is a good place to start. Thailand need not descend into the abyss of civil war as many posters on this forum seem to assume it will, and it some cases seem to enjoy the idea of such a scenario. Personally I hope and believe that this will not happen. If there is a to be any kind of nation state people will have to put their own personal desires second to that of the greater good. If that cannot happen then perhaps Thailand does not deserve or warrant its existence. We can continue to finger-point and apportion blame and expect the people at the top to solve the problem. Alternatively, ordinary people can start t speak up and demand better of their leaders. Of course I am being idealistic and will be accused of being so. Then so be it, but I am hopeful that maybe people will say 'enough is enough', our children deserve better.

[kingalfred]

It shows the hate and lack of responsibility Thai people really have for its fellow man and children.In any " civilized" state what happened at the weekend would cause the city's people to say " no more" .protestors would go home and find common ground and let the courts deal with what this self appointed Messiah is trying to do and will only succeed with an armageddon solution, leaving a country torn apart in a permanent state of conflict.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited February 25, 2014 by kingalfred

[manfrommanteo]

Suthep, the biggest child in this circus, agreeing to talks with Yingluck that have been offered by her for months would be a start.

Didn't Suthep have a talk with Yingluck, which led to nothing, already? In the presence of others....but neither side could come to a place of agreement.

[Thai at Heart]

Do we want a country built on the deaths of children?

who writes this dribble? were they actually expecting someone to say yes?

Got to be in the running for the worst headline of the year award

Falangs beg thai media not to take simplistic view of thai issues.

[Thai at Heart]

Whilst I can understand the cynicism with which some readers might greet this article I must say that perhaps it needed to be written. The media, high profile people in Thai society, academics, business people, writers, artists, social commentators and all of the 'silent majority et. al. need to come out of the wood work and voice the obvious. It is time to put aside the hatred, invective, name calling, finger pointing blame game and look for the middle ground. While ever Thai society remains as ploarized as it currently is there will never be a resolution to this current situation.

I also agree with posters who have pointed to the shortcomings in the education system, the social and finacial inequality and failings in the judicial system. all of these things are systemic and need to be addressed but we need to start somewhere and maybe the 'hall of mirrors' is the place to start. If anything good can come from the tragic loss of life of those innocent children then perhaps this is a good place to start. Thailand need not descend into the abyss of civil war as many posters on this forum seem to assume it will, and it some cases seem to enjoy the idea of such a scenario. Personally I hope and believe that this will not happen. If there is a to be any kind of nation state people will have to put their own personal desires second to that of the greater good. If that cannot happen then perhaps Thailand does not deserve or warrant its existence. We can continue to finger-point and apportion blame and expect the people at the top to solve the problem. Alternatively, ordinary people can start t speak up and demand better of their leaders. Of course I am being idealistic and will be accused of being so. Then so be it, but I am hopeful that maybe people will say 'enough is enough', our children deserve better.

R

These connected Thais are beyond that type of judgement. They are powerful, omniscient, and omnipotent in their own lunchboxes.

[blaze]

If we do not want dead children we avoid war- because chldren die in wars. And we avoid war by adopting methods of resolving conflicting visions of society within the framework of constitutional law.

We do NOT seize government buildings- we do NOT intimidate news organizations- we do NOT block major traffic areas- and we do NOT seek to paralyze the capital city and government of a country.

we do NOT expect that a government will step down and take democracy (such as it is) with it- simply because we order it to.

And we do NOT minimize the risks to ourselves, and to the general public which we claim to represent, from our political enemies if we decide to take the game outside the assigned arena!

And if we are so convinced of the righteousness of our cause- then we take the game outside the arena and accept the consequences without whining and weeping.

Most of the developed world has learned these lessons the hard way- Thailand will eventually also learn them. But it might be too late.

The courts do not enjoy public trust- only the loyalty of those who they benefit at any given time. (Justice must not only be done- it must be SEEN to be done- and this is not happening).

The police has no credibility either- nor does the army- except among those for whom they benefit on any given day. The government of the day enjoys the respect of only those it benefits- in fact the constitution enjoys no universal respect- sacred documents don't get torn up every few years and those who dare tare one up- don't walk away with impunity.

Even the notion of electoral democracy is regarded with skepticism if not downright cynicism by too many influential players.

how can anything good come of this? How can anything that even resembles a social contract with its respect for dissenting opinions bloom from the mess that is now Silom- soon to be a bloody mess.

Are we so naive as to believe that those who support this government will meekly accept its bowing to street protests that in ANY other country would be deemed illegal?

Do we not know what happens when a large section of the population feels that the institutions no longer work for them?

We can blame whoever we want to blame- it will make no difference to the outcome. We have chosen to play by our own rules- I hope we are strong enough to accept the reprocussions without whining and weeping and saying- 'yeah but he started it..."

Edited February 25, 2014 by blaze

[Johnnie99]

It seems to obvious to say, but of course I will:

"Do we want a country built on bribery, corruption and nepotism?"

[Puwa]

Want it or not, we've had such a country for a long time already.

[Suriya4]

Luke 18:16 Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

[Suriya4]

Children is an integral part of Suthep.

Watch this video.

Edited February 25, 2014 by Suriya4

[sawadee1947]

..sorry, but i can't take it serious anymore what happens here in Thailand. It's a kind of play ground game, but with bitter taste of death. There is no sign of mature democracy as the NATION is talking of, far away even. Talks are offered many times but hatred is ruling the streets. There are no political parties acting but groups with different goals. Sure mainly it is to get power in order to fill their pockets as it was in all years before.

The help from UN might be a way for talks, maybe to overcome face losing.