Thailand must take heed of UN message

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Thailand must take heed of UN message
The Nation

Failure to gain enough votes to join the Human Rights Council is a signal of international concern at developments here

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's failure to win a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) last week came down to several factors, but the most important was suppression of democracy and human rights in the Kingdom.

Thailand launched its campaign for a place on the rights body last year when the country was run by an elected government. There had already been occasional reports of Thai authorities violating rights, but nothing on a "grand" scale. Our lobbyists at the UN could point to Thailand's democratic governance as proof that the authorities here respected the principle of human rights. The fact that we had a woman prime minister was further "proof" that equal rights for all were enshrined as law.

But the situation changed when anti-government protest led to a military coup. Although the coup-makers claimed they had no choice and were acting to prevent an imminent civil war and to restore law and order and lay the foundations for a "genuine" democracy, doubts were raised both in Thailand and abroad as to their real intentions.

Yet Thai lobbyists continued asking for support from members of the UN on the grounds that Thailand maintained its faith in democracy and fully respected human rights. Some UN members agreed to continue supporting the Thai bid, but many countries had second thoughts.

Meanwhile the Thai junta has sought to reassure the world of its respect for rights and democracy, though without much success. Martial law put in place just before the May 22 coup is still in effect. Activists, politicians, academics and journalists have been ordered to report to military authorities and hundreds detained with little or no explanation. Some have been charged and prosecuted in military courts, with trials ongoing for those who have resisted summonses or failed to report on time. Denials by those in power that Thailand has political prisoners are beginning to sound hollow.

The junta is also scrutinising and blocking the news media, both covertly and overtly. Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has blamed the media for many things - even Thailand's failure to gain a place on the UNCHR. Yet a media free of political control is also a fundamental right. Prayut has accused the media of emphasising the negative side of the coup and military rule and thus torpedoing the UN rights campaign.

The Foreign Ministry might argue that the failure to secure the UNHRC seat had nothing to do with the coup or with rights practices in Thailand. Thailand was a member and even chair of the UN rights body from 2011 to 2013. Election to the council mostly depends on vote-trading and diplomacy, the ministry said.

But Thailand did exceedingly poorly. With only four seats available for Asia, Qatar edged out Thailand with 142 votes to Bangkok's 136. India got the highest number of votes at 162, Indonesia received 152 and Bangladesh 149.

Jakarta, in particular, has an impressive track record in improving rights, pledging to promote religious freedom and tolerance as the world's third-largest democracy and its biggest Muslim-majority nation. In 1998 Indonesia enacted reforms to limit the military role in politics. Around the same time, Thailand enforced its so-called People's Constitution of 1997 to promote and protect democracy and civic rights. Since that time Indonesia has suffered no coups while Thailand has had two.

The failure at the UN should not be regarded as merely a simple loss of votes at a far-flung international forum. It should be a lesson for the entire society, notably the elite, that democracy and rights is the global trend. The international community has sent a signal that it values human rights highly. Thailand must take note.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Thailand-must-take-heed-of-UN-message-30246374.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-28

[noitom]

Thailand hasn't a clue how to play in the sand box with adult nations. Thailand sounds preposterous when they pontificate about issues such as human rights with global leaders. Thais look like the laughing stock at the party every time they attempt to articulate a position on anything. The world is getting wise to Thais faster than Thailand knows. Thailand hasn't a clue.

[NongKhaiKid]

Thailand hasn't a clue how to play in the sand box with adult nations. Thailand sounds preposterous when they pontificate about issues such as human rights with global leaders. Thais look like the laughing stock at the party every time they attempt to articulate a position on anything. The world is getting wise to Thais faster than Thailand knows. Thailand hasn't a clue.

Their lack of diplomatic skills and arrogance is so clear by the continued instances of making positive public statements about Thailand, the military government etc, on behalf of other nations

[selftaopath]

Thailand hasn't a clue how to play in the sand box with adult nations. Thailand sounds preposterous when they pontificate about issues such as human rights with global leaders. Thais look like the laughing stock at the party every time they attempt to articulate a position on anything. The world is getting wise to Thais faster than Thailand knows. Thailand hasn't a clue.

Their lack of diplomatic skills and arrogance is so clear by the continued instances of making positive public statements about Thailand, the military government etc, on behalf of other nations

Yes.

I wonder if I looked up the definition of hubris if there would be a picture of Thailand?

[ramrod711]

The failure at the UN should not be regarded as merely a simple loss of votes at a far-flung international forum. It should be a lesson for the entire society, notably the elite, that democracy and rights is the global trend.

Yes, because there were no human rights violations before the coup. There were no fishermen held in slavery, no demonstrators or innocent bystanders being shot and bombed in the streets. Muslims were not being stacked into trucks like cord wood, citizens were not threatening to divide the country and alleged drug dealers were not being killed by the thousands. Those were the good old days before the coup, when everything was wonderful in the Land Of Smiles.

[Squeegee]

Yes the Thais are naive in thinking they have any face to save outside their own borders. Taxi drivers still ask the question "You like Thailand?" fully expecting the falang to be gushing with enthusiasm for "Thailand! Thailand! Thailand!" but all bubbles must burst eventually, even teflon ones.

Having said that, quite a few Thais I know seem fully aware the shine has worn off for many foreigners, just in the same way quite a few Thais are fully aware of the nonsense of their fellows. Seems to me it's not the people themselves who are to blame for Thailand having no face.

[yellowboat]

For a country which has had long standing peace (no wars), it has progressed very little.

[santa1000]

Did they really think they would win a seat?

[RustBucket]

There doesn't seem to be a day go by without some form of disgraceful or incongruous behavior in the eyes of the world being reported to being committed by Thai authorities or organizations or even individuals (especially with money).

Let's see what we have today in the news section at the time of typing.

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER PRAYUT Chan-o-cha yesterday warned the newly-established Thailand Reform Institute (TRI) against staging political activities that might be deemed illegal and give rise to more national conflict..... Rubbish and dictatorial.

BANGKOK: -- Police officers failed to show up before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday to answer questions related to the alleged torture of two Myanmar suspects, who are charged with murdering two Britons on Koh Tao last month....... Zero regard for human rights or their watchdogs.

BANGKOK: -- Dr Sompop Saensiri, the owner of a Bangkok cosmetic clinic, yesterday put off an appointment to testify to police about the death of a 24-year-old British woman under general anaesthesia during cosmetic surgery at his Lat Phrao clinic last week...... unlicensed and illegal, how many others?... he will walk free, he has money.

Curfew for migrant workers on islands in Koh Phangan may be imposed to prevent crimes.

BANGKOK: -- This was what the governor of Surat Thani province disclosed Monday after banning beach parties on three islands, with the exception of Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan...... They still want to show the world it is always foreigners.... they have no entitlement to rights.... Thai are always innocent.

How the hell does Thailand think the world see this sort of stuff? They think the whole world loves them so much they will always be given a bye? Thailand can forget being given any consideration for premium statuses by the UN, they will be lucky to escape trade sanctions next year let alone be applauded.

Edited October 28, 2014 by RustBucket

[Kru Baa]

The worst part about being stupid is that everyone knows you are stupid except for you.

[falangjim]

Except for a few Asian forums, Thailand is not really in the consciousness of the free world. Not too many people wake up thinking about this developing country rife with corruption and regular political turmoil. They have better things to think about. Let the Thais be ignorant and arrogant as to their real standing in the world. Let them think they are unique. This is what they do best, puffing up when they should be shrinking.

[JOC]

The worst part about being stupid is that everyone knows you are stupid except for you.

Ignorance is bliss!!

[JOC]

Will they learn from this failure??

No!! Because as usual everyone else is wrong, and Thailand is right!!

Time for Thailand to learn the meaning of accountability!!

[FangFerang]

Every country has the right to screw things up in their own special way (and every country has a laundry list of failures). That is sovereignty. Interactions between nations requires a much more circumspect approach.

Saudi Arabia still cuts a thief's hands off and, awhile back, let an entire harem burn to death because the firefighters were men and could not gaze on another man's harem according to religious law. The Saudis are still treated with great respect at the UN.

Basically, it seems to me that the unwritten international edict is "Keep a lid on it, especially if you are not a particularly powerful or influential nation".

Beyond that, all discussions are from world views that quote morals, which are geographic and not absolute. Actions at the UN are arbitrary, at best, and seem to be a matter of enforcement without leaving fingerprints (something to which Thailand is particularly vulnerable).

In short, the US Ambassador stepping down, the drop in tourism, the murders in Kao Tao and the UN excluding Thailand from the Human Rights Council are all related events. Thailand can choose to respond to it or not. It is their sovereign right to turn a blind eye (as all countries do when their self-interest is challenged).

We live in interesting times. I would like some boredom, frankly.

[CNXTim]

Let's wait to see the official press dismissal of this damning judgment - for sure it will be along the lines of "They are ill-informed farang who don't understand!" (us)

[CapFarmer]

Thai international diplomacy is like my 6 year old daughter hiding stuff behind her back. Guess what, the world can see what you are hiding. I guess that's why it's called LOS... Same smile as my 6 year old when she thinks she has everyone fooled.

[j15mth]

Thailand listens to NO one.

The Nederlands offered help in 2011 floods----no we know everything on water management.

And very recently the dismal NO idea of the Police in Koh Tao---no we know everything again.

[Jim walker]

Thailand's failure to win a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) some people just don’t understand the Thai soldiers now what’s best for all concerned internationally or at home, we know best watch and learn.

[Don Aleman]

Actually I think this is just " The tip, etc " as Thailand has been rejecting/dismissing/actually insulting US agencies, in many areas, for the last 10 years. Thai authorities had/have the thought of "we will do what want" after all what could the US, and the UK, also neglected, do to Thailand ? Well they don't have to DO anything, just stop DOING the good things Thailand likes but is not willing to reciprocate. How much money/emergency responses/charity/training and on, and on, do these 2 nations bestow on Thailand every year. Tons of all and little by little they both will begin to ignore their "fair weather friend" by

having US Aircraft carries change R&R stops with their 5,000 money laden crews, choosing to not vote on Thai favorite programs, reducing, and they already have, the scope of Cobra Gold exercises in Thailand and, maybe, switching this multi million dollar program to another, more "all weather friend", ( the Philippines would love to have their bases back ).

As a fact there is no US ambassador in Thailand now ! Kicking "The Geese That Lay Golden Eggs" will become live in Thailand

[useronthenet]

UN has no teeth nor is it perceived as an authority who can dictate to Thailand when you have permanent members like Russia, China, USA, France & UK who over the years have brought misery and breaches of human rights on an imaginable scale. Therefore the organisation is, as far I'm concerned, contradicting it's so-called values it places, when clearly the members of it's organisation without doubt do not represent or uphold the democratic oath, or that fact human rights. One only looks back in history to see the destruction, that all the permanent members have made to mankind, and the legacy that is left can be clearly seen. I do not have to name the countries which suffered and are still suffering as a result, but they are indeed many.

[gemini81]

Be sweet Land of Smiles: you need the world far, far more than the world needs you.. if that ain't a fact.

[Fred Flinstone]

There doesn't seem to be a day go by without some form of disgraceful or incongruous behavior in the eyes of the world being reported to being committed by Thai authorities or organizations or even individuals (especially with money).

Let's see what we have today in the news section at the time of typing.

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER PRAYUT Chan-o-cha yesterday warned the newly-established Thailand Reform Institute (TRI) against staging political activities that might be deemed illegal and give rise to more national conflict..... Rubbish and dictatorial.

BANGKOK: -- Police officers failed to show up before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday to answer questions related to the alleged torture of two Myanmar suspects, who are charged with murdering two Britons on Koh Tao last month....... Zero regard for human rights or their watchdogs.

BANGKOK: -- Dr Sompop Saensiri, the owner of a Bangkok cosmetic clinic, yesterday put off an appointment to testify to police about the death of a 24-year-old British woman under general anaesthesia during cosmetic surgery at his Lat Phrao clinic last week...... unlicensed and illegal, how many others?... he will walk free, he has money.

Curfew for migrant workers on islands in Koh Phangan may be imposed to prevent crimes.

BANGKOK: -- This was what the governor of Surat Thani province disclosed Monday after banning beach parties on three islands, with the exception of Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan...... They still want to show the world it is always foreigners.... they have no entitlement to rights.... Thai are always innocent.

How the hell does Thailand think the world see this sort of stuff? They think the whole world loves them so much they will always be given a bye? Thailand can forget being given any consideration for premium statuses by the UN, they will be lucky to escape trade sanctions next year let alone be applauded.

People see them as a joke -

A stench on the world stage

[millwall_fan]

What a laugh - no not the abject failure to secure a seat on the Human rights body, but the Nations editorial! Talk about having your cake and eating it! A few short months ago The Nation was baying for a military take over, advocating Suthep and his 'People's Council', opposing democracy. Now a few months later and the inevitable is happening - the country is being ostracised by the world, the economy is going backwards, foreigners - Westerners, Burmese are leaving in their droves and suddenly, suddenly, the editor of the Nation is an advocate of democracy and Thailand's woman Prime Minister. I stopped buying The Nation and its fellow traveller The Post after the coup. I'm glad I did.

[Bluespunk]

"Thailand launched its campaign for a place on the rights body last year when the country was run by an elected government. There had already been occasional reports of Thai authorities violating rights, but nothing on a "grand" scale. Our lobbyists at the UN could point to Thailand's democratic governance as proof that the authorities here respected the principle of human rights. The fact that we had a woman prime minister was further "proof" that equal rights for all were enshrined as law."

​If there is an award for

"stupidest paragraph of the year"

or

"blind indifference to reality"

amongst the Thai press, this one has got to be a contender.

[Wombat6]

The Thais might have a better chance if they scrap discrimination relating to pricing at National Parks etc, Land ownership:. work restrictions abd clean up Corruption

[Robespiere]

Worth repeating:

Jakarta, in particular, has an impressive track record in improving rights, pledging to promote religious freedom and tolerance as the world's third-largest democracy and its biggest Muslim-majority nation. In 1998 Indonesia enacted reforms to limit the military role in politics. Around the same time, Thailand enforced its so-called People's Constitution of 1997 to promote and protect democracy and civic rights. Since that time Indonesia has suffered no coups while Thailand has had two.

Edited October 28, 2014 by metisdead
Underscore removed.

[See the bears]

Is this really in the Nation?

[ginjag]

Worth repeating:

Jakarta, in particular, has an impressive track record in improving rights, pledging to promote religious freedom and tolerance as the world's third-largest democracy and its biggest Muslim-majority nation. In 1998 Indonesia enacted reforms to limit the military role in politics. Around the same time, Thailand enforced its so-called People's Constitution of 1997 to promote and protect democracy and civic rights. Since that time Indonesia has suffered no coups while Thailand has had two.

Maybe r the reason for no Interventions is that the government was good in it's role ?? lousy governance invites intervention.

[Robespiere]

Worth repeating:

Jakarta, in particular, has an impressive track record in improving rights, pledging to promote religious freedom and tolerance as the world's third-largest democracy and its biggest Muslim-majority nation. In 1998 Indonesia enacted reforms to limit the military role in politics. Around the same time, Thailand enforced its so-called People's Constitution of 1997 to promote and protect democracy and civic rights. Since that time Indonesia has suffered no coups while Thailand has had two.

Maybe r the reason for no Interventions is that the government was good in it's role ?? lousy governance invites intervention.

I couldn't imagine you even considering it, let alone seeing it, any other way Ginjag.

Never short of a lame excuse or false justification for what is a heinous crime against a nations citizens.

How sad for you and more importantly, bravo Indonesia - may Thailand soon follow in your footsteps.

Edited October 28, 2014 by Robespiere

[Cake Monster]

Thailand being rebuked by the International stage on human rights, could possibly be only the start of many things to come in the form of more rebuttals from International NGO,s, as well as ever pushing the country toward isolation within the world community.

If this were to happen, it would certainly be a very sad day indeed for the country, and for sure, big business would follow suit, and thats when the countries problems would really start rear up.