Army chief threatens to sue accusers

[zaphod reborn]

Human rights parasites? Really? Do you even know what you are referring to? The German human rights workers who are leading much of the human rights advocacy in Thailand are some of the most honourable and ethical people out there. They are hardly parasites and are certainly better educated and far more contributing to society than most foreigners. Who are you to insult them?

In respect to the Thai human rights workers, they accepted their positions at personal sacrifice to their incomes, careers and families because they genuinely care about human rights and Thailand. Many of the advocates and workers face great personal risk and are subject to threats and intimidation.

LOL. NGO workers all have hidden agendas. They are basically socialist activists who turned to the dark side because they couldn't cut the mustard in the private sector.

Don't glorify them. They are leeches off their super-rich benefactors who are trying to alleviate their own guilt for being wealthy.

If they really were interested in improving human rights globally, they would be active in the real torturing and abusive dictatorships, like Iran, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

[arrowsdawdle]

Things are really starting to go off the rails in this country.

Ya' think? Come a bit further out from under that rock and you will see it is global, not just this country.

[phoenixdoglover]

Free Speech

What is happening in Thailand with respect to the limits placed on speech is playing out in other parts of the globe in other ways.

A notable example is the limitation placed on speech in many Muslim countries, and how Muslims expect other countries to follow their norms.

In Thailand, significant free speech is severely restricted, and the law is primarily on the side of the suppressors.

Can the military actually sue somebody for criticizing them? In Thailand, apparently yes.

Again, the global trend is not good. The "new" definition seems to be:

Free Speech - any speech that does not offend me, especially if I am an institution with some power and influence

In the 18th century this sort of approach by western (Europe/US) governments did not work out well for them; for some reason, many people didn't like it and they went to great lengths to change it. It was messy. Places like Thailand could eventually experience the same type of change, and I think the current government is fostering that possibility. I'm not optimistic about the new Charter either. Nothing I have read so far suggests it will enhance or defend free speech.

Edited March 21, 2015 by phoenixdoglover

[Baerboxer]

Free Speech

What is happening in Thailand with respect to the limits placed on speech is playing out in other parts of the globe in other ways.

A notable example is the limitation placed on speech in many Muslim countries, and how Muslims expect other countries to follow their norms.

In Thailand, significant free speech is severely restricted, and the law is primarily on the side of the suppressors.

Can the military actually sue somebody for criticizing them? In Thailand, apparently yes.

Again, the global trend is not good. The "new" definition seems to be:

Free Speech - any speech that does not offend me, especially if I am an institution with some power and influence

In the 18th century this sort of approach by western (Europe/US) governments did not work out well for them; for some reason, many people didn't like it and they went to great lengths to change it. It was messy. Places like Thailand could eventually experience the same type of change, and I think the current government is fostering that possibility. I'm not optimistic about the new Charter either. Nothing I have read so far suggests it will enhance or defend free speech.

Go and see just how much "free speech" there is left in those Western countries.

[Trouble]

I don't think the Junta supporters on TVF really realise what a dark and bleak road Thailand is headed down, continuing on with their pro Junta nonsense posts by repeatedly spewing out clearly false propaganda as Thailand careens full throttle down this highway to becoming the globes new North Korea where the military have starved and beaten the suppressed population and go as far as feeding citizens they dislike to dogs.

Dystopia anyone?

While I don't believe Thailand is heading full throttle down the highway in the direction you describe, it certainly is amazing to me how anyone can support this Junta run government. Every time I read a statement by the good General he sounds like a clown. It is obvious to anyone that there is no tolerance for any kind of opposition. There has been no attempt to be inclusive nor has there been any attempt to reconcile political differences. The general is just there to make Thailand's government reflect his vision. If the Thais don't like it they can be reeducated. I think the TV supporters of this bunch of goof-balls are so anti Yingluck they assume anything is better. The streets are peaceful so they can carry on with going to shopping mall, bars, restaurants in peace. They would not tolerate such a thing happening in their home countries.

[yellowboat]

Free Speech

What is happening in Thailand with respect to the limits placed on speech is playing out in other parts of the globe in other ways.

A notable example is the limitation placed on speech in many Muslim countries, and how Muslims expect other countries to follow their norms.

In Thailand, significant free speech is severely restricted, and the law is primarily on the side of the suppressors.

Can the military actually sue somebody for criticizing them? In Thailand, apparently yes.

Again, the global trend is not good. The "new" definition seems to be:

Free Speech - any speech that does not offend me, especially if I am an institution with some power and influence

In the 18th century this sort of approach by western (Europe/US) governments did not work out well for them; for some reason, many people didn't like it and they went to great lengths to change it. It was messy. Places like Thailand could eventually experience the same type of change, and I think the current government is fostering that possibility. I'm not optimistic about the new Charter either. Nothing I have read so far suggests it will enhance or defend free speech.

Go and see just how much "free speech" there is left in those Western countries.

Can you enlighten us with something specific ? Free speech is still a corner stone in countries like the US, Although the Obama and Bush administrations have embraced illegal searches of email by which they use a secret court to grope for legitimacy . Your position is to "go with the flow" of abusing freedoms because everybody else is doing it ? Or you are defending Thailand based on the moral decline western nations ?

[elgordo38]

What a childish remarks for the head of the military to make. I'm going to sue you. Grow up. If you didn't do it don't worry. But you lied about holding people in the past so why should anyone believe it didn't happen.

Well at least there will be a future demand for more lawyers.

[Warpath]

I don't think the Junta supporters on TVF really realise what a dark and bleak road Thailand is headed down, continuing on with their pro Junta nonsense posts by repeatedly spewing out clearly false propaganda as Thailand careens full throttle down this highway to becoming the globes new North Korea where the military have starved and beaten the suppressed population and go as far as feeding citizens they dislike to dogs.

Dystopia anyone?

The new North Korea? Feeding citizens to the dogs? Really? ... and what do you suggest people do? Fight? Cause trouble? Rebel? Throw grenades? Terrorize?

Most members have an opinion, often apposing, and are entitled to their opinion. We will can only wait. All goes well - election next year.

"Dystopia anyone?" A little exaggeration perhaps? Dystopia definition-, "a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding"

Between now and next year there should be a free and fair referendum on the constitution and a free and fair general election - Thailand will have neither, so yes dystopia.

[geriatrickid]

Human rights parasites? Really? Do you even know what you are referring to? The German human rights workers who are leading much of the human rights advocacy in Thailand are some of the most honourable and ethical people out there. They are hardly parasites and are certainly better educated and far more contributing to society than most foreigners. Who are you to insult them?

In respect to the Thai human rights workers, they accepted their positions at personal sacrifice to their incomes, careers and families because they genuinely care about human rights and Thailand. Many of the advocates and workers face great personal risk and are subject to threats and intimidation.

LOL. NGO workers all have hidden agendas. They are basically socialist activists who turned to the dark side because they couldn't cut the mustard in the private sector.

Don't glorify them. They are leeches off their super-rich benefactors who are trying to alleviate their own guilt for being wealthy.

If they really were interested in improving human rights globally, they would be active in the real torturing and abusive dictatorships, like Iran, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

The issue is Thailand and the human rights workers, so let's stick to topic. Where do NGOs come into this? The investigating body is a government agency. The only people who have a hidden agenda are ignoramuses who make claims that are false.

The requirement to investigate is set out in law. What part of the law do you not comprehend? Ignorance of the procedures and laws involved is not an excuse for constructing and disseminating lies.

If you have a chip on your shoulder about the wealthy, here's a hint: stop blaming everyone else for your lot in life.

[chainarong]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

We run the country, we still impose martial law but we're not above using the ever popular libel / defamation laws.

What it boils down to is we are thinned skinned and can not handle criticism , you will notice it a lot with Asian Politicians also. they like to hand it out but can't take it.

[whatawonderfulday]

What a childish remarks for the head of the military to make. I'm going to sue you. Grow up. If you didn't do it don't worry. But you lied about holding people in the past so why should anyone believe it didn't happen.

Why childish ? I think most people now understand that that the current establishment is run by those of an IQ less than 50 . It is only the guns that keep them in power. Therefore perhaps consider that those intellectually challenged people having such a low intellect do not understand what they do ?

Basiclly Thailand has entered an era run by morons for morons

[Alwyn]

Prayut criticised the National Human Rights Commission over its decision to meet with the suspects next week, saying he wondered if the NHRC had ever defended the rights of government officials. The premier also said he had ordered officials to look into an online campaign to have martial law lifted on change.org that had gathered nearly 6,000 signatures as of yesterday. But it's not a dictatorship, right?

[greenchair]

Prayut criticised the National Human Rights Commission over its decision to meet with the suspects next week, saying he wondered if the NHRC had ever defended the rights of government officials. The premier also said he had ordered officials to look into an online campaign to have martial law lifted on change.org that had gathered nearly 6,000 signatures as of yesterday. But it's not a dictatorship, right?

Well I went to change. Org just to see what Prayuth big hoo Haa is about. But could not find anything.

Can someone enlighten me. ☺☺☺

[Warpath]

I don't think the Junta supporters on TVF really realise what a dark and bleak road Thailand is headed down, continuing on with their pro Junta nonsense posts by repeatedly spewing out clearly false propaganda as Thailand careens full throttle down this highway to becoming the globes new North Korea where the military have starved and beaten the suppressed population and go as far as feeding citizens they dislike to dogs.

Dystopia anyone?

A member since 17th March 2015.

A badly punctuated long sentence of nonsense rhetoric straight out the red playbook.

Welcome - newest recruit. Hope the boiler room is comfortable.

7,701 posts and not a single clue.

Well done!

[tbthailand]

Human rights parasites? Really? Do you even know what you are referring to? The German human rights workers who are leading much of the human rights advocacy in Thailand are some of the most honourable and ethical people out there. They are hardly parasites and are certainly better educated and far more contributing to society than most foreigners. Who are you to insult them?

In respect to the Thai human rights workers, they accepted their positions at personal sacrifice to their incomes, careers and families because they genuinely care about human rights and Thailand. Many of the advocates and workers face great personal risk and are subject to threats and intimidation.

LOL. NGO workers all have hidden agendas. They are basically socialist activists who turned to the dark side because they couldn't cut the mustard in the private sector.

Don't glorify them. They are leeches off their super-rich benefactors who are trying to alleviate their own guilt for being wealthy.

If they really were interested in improving human rights globally, they would be active in the real torturing and abusive dictatorships, like Iran, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

re: NGO comments, you are a pretty sick guy...

re "Globally", you do realize that "globally" means everywhere, right?

re "real torturing and abusive dictatorships" , ... ummm, errr, well, yes, they are already active wrt to those countries too.

you should think about getting an idea about what really goes on in the world...

[englishoak]

Free Speech

What is happening in Thailand with respect to the limits placed on speech is playing out in other parts of the globe in other ways.

A notable example is the limitation placed on speech in many Muslim countries, and how Muslims expect other countries to follow their norms.

In Thailand, significant free speech is severely restricted, and the law is primarily on the side of the suppressors.

Can the military actually sue somebody for criticizing them? In Thailand, apparently yes.

Again, the global trend is not good. The "new" definition seems to be:

Free Speech - any speech that does not offend me, especially if I am an institution with some power and influence

In the 18th century this sort of approach by western (Europe/US) governments did not work out well for them; for some reason, many people didn't like it and they went to great lengths to change it. It was messy. Places like Thailand could eventually experience the same type of change, and I think the current government is fostering that possibility. I'm not optimistic about the new Charter either. Nothing I have read so far suggests it will enhance or defend free speech.

Go and see just how much "free speech" there is left in those Western countries.

Are you serious ? Thats your argument and justification for Thailand being a dictatorship ?

youve been at the cool aid again havnt you ? Talk about gone native I do believe your displaying classic selective Thainess syndrome.

Why dont you just come out and say you support the Junta ,you support their methods and you support military rule, martial law and amnesty from any prosecutions in the future for any wrong doing...

Anything youd like to add in there I may have missed ?

[Fat Haggis]

We run the country, we still impose martial law but we're not above using the ever popular libel / defamation laws.

It is their right to use the libel/defamation laws as they are there for a reason.

I would most like them to sue these 'human rights' parasites as when they get their tentacles into any case - they slander the police/army with lies about torture and the retracting of statements. Go on the offensive and call them out to prove these scandalous torture accusations (yes even on Koh Tao) are nothing other than to deflect the seriousness of what they have committed away from them and to garner the sympathy vote from gullible people like you!!!

how do YOU know they're lies? Just because they're denying it happened doesn't make it any less a lie does it?

It's down to the accusers in this case to prove it happened, with evidence to back up and substantiate their case, it's also up to the Army to prove to the accusers it simply didn't happen.

YOU were not present at their arrest, nor their transportation to the "interviews" nor present when these interviews were in progress, I'll not presume that such interviews are "recorded" for the very purposes of avoiding any physical harm being done to the prisoners?

I'm more inclined to keep an open mind, I know what it's like handling "sensitive" detainee's, of course the British Army and the US Army also vehemently denied they ever abused their prisoners, unfortunately that too was found to be a lie so big, it shook the whole country of Iraq, when Abu Graib surfaced.

Stop being so naive that Coppers and Military personnel in Thailand could never act in such an unprofessional manner. They have done it before, so it's very possible, it can, and will happen again.

In most other countries in the world, "stick and stones may break my bones, but names will never harm me" doesn't fit the bill here in Thailand, the defamations laws and libel laws here are flawed, several times I've been accused of being something I'm not, that is libel, and defamation, the General ( not Prayut) in this case needs to go and collect his teddy and his dummy, and stop frothing at the mouth, and stop being such a wuss!!, mind you, it shows they've not got politics in their blood, they have absolute power!!!!

[Bluespunk]

We run the country, we still impose martial law but we're not above using the ever popular libel / defamation laws.

It is their right to use the libel/defamation laws as they are there for a reason.

I would most like them to sue these 'human rights' parasites as when they get their tentacles into any case - they slander the police/army with lies about torture and the retracting of statements. Go on the offensive and call them out to prove these scandalous torture accusations (yes even on Koh Tao) are nothing other than to deflect the seriousness of what they have committed away from them and to garner the sympathy vote from gullible people like you!!!

Sarcasm?

[Strangebrew]

Un what did they do to you taxi driver they made him drop passengers off where they wanted to go while using meter the whole time then they put him in room with TV a made him watch Thai soap opera. Oh the inhumanity

Edited March 21, 2015 by Strangebrew

[berybert]

I also wonder why the HNRC have never looked into the abuse of government workers. Then it occurred to me, you have the ability to record every session with people who are accused of wrong doing,

There is no need to speculate. Show the recordings of the sessions. Prove how innocent you are.

What do you have to be afraid of ?

[Fat Haggis]

We run the country, we still impose martial law but we're not above using the ever popular libel / defamation laws.

It is their right to use the libel/defamation laws as they are there for a reason.

I would most like them to sue these 'human rights' parasites as when they get their tentacles into any case - they slander the police/army with lies about torture and the retracting of statements. Go on the offensive and call them out to prove these scandalous torture accusations (yes even on Koh Tao) are nothing other than to deflect the seriousness of what they have committed away from them and to garner the sympathy vote from gullible people like you!!!

Sarcasm?

The fact that he's defaming the HRW by calling them Parasites, I'd say not sarcasm at all, I think he needs to see an entomologist though

[The Deerhunter]

What sort of torture was alleged & what evidence has the tortured person offered?

[Thai at Heart]

They could stop arbitrarily arresting people and maybe there wouldn't be this problem?