Car recommendations

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Too much invested in compensation for protest injury
The Nation

Why should taxpayers have to bear the burden for those who knowingly take risks when they rise up against governments?

BANGKOK: -- The government has resolved to pay compensation to injured protesters and families of those killed in the political unrest of 2013 and 2014. The Cabinet last week endorsed a plan to pay Bt120 million to 862 people affected by the uprising against the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

Violence during the six months of demonstrations led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee left 28 people dead and 834 injured. The compensation ranges from Bt20,000 for "slight injury" to Bt200,000 for permanent disability and Bt400,000 for death. The rate is based on comparable laws, such as those covering criminal damages, road accidents, natural disasters and injury stemming from the insurgency in the southern provinces.

Security forces clashing with protesters left hundreds of people dead or maimed during the Yingluck, Somchai Wongsawat and Abhisit Vejjajiva administrations. Yingluck's Pheu Thai-led government resolved in 2012 to pay Bt1.9 billion in compensation to people injured in political unrest and the families of those killed: Bt7.75 million for each death, Bt4.5 million for disability, Bt1.125 million for "serious injury" and Bt675,000 for "non-serious injury".

Most of those benefiting from the plan had taken part in the 2009-2010 protests when red-shirt supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra took to the streets against Abhisit's administration. More than 90 people were killed over the course of several months in 2010, including passers-by, soldiers, policemen and foreign journalists, as well as protesters.

The generous compensation by the Yingluck government was heavily criticised as an attempt to bolster its support at the expense of the taxpayer. Yingluck and 33 members of her Cabinet are now facing legal action by the National Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly approving the compensation for political gain.

State compensation paid to people affected by political unrest is an unnecessary budget burden for the country. The money would be better spent on development projects that benefit more citizens.

Generally speaking, it is wise to avoid political events at which violence is likely to occur, though we acknowledge that rival political camps are adept at mobilising their supporters for street protests. Given the nation's polarisation, it is now hard to imagine a public demonstration evolving spontaneously as large groups assemble to show their dissatisfaction with a ruling party or policy.

Under the current regime's ban on public gatherings, it is next to impossible to organise street protests, a grim fact of life that at least carries the merit of curbing violence. In any case, authorities should always avoid using force to quell protest. Aggressive crowd dispersal should be the last resort, used only if the demonstration becomes turbulent or weapons appear in protesters' hands.

However, if damage is caused and compensation must be paid, the government should at least be fair to all sides, and the amount of compensation should be reasonable. Paying too much not only burdens the country financially, but can be viewed as a means of "rewarding" supporters for risking their lives and safety to rise up against the opposite camp.

Overly generous compensation, as well, might even encourage more protests in the future.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Too-much-invested-in-compensation-for-protest-inju-30269024.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-18

[jaywalker]

Looks like they've got The Nation newspaper "toe-ing the line" since they arrested that one reporter & then the paper forced his resignation.

-------------------

toe the line

phrase of toe

1. 1.

   accept the authority, principles, or policies of a particular group, especially under pressure.

   synonyms: conform, obey the rules, observe the rules, comply with the rules,abide by the rules, follow the rules;

   informalplay by the rules

   "the choice is yours: toe the line or pack your bags"

[Thai at Heart]

Once a state of emergency is in effect all bets are off for all sides, and that should include any compensation from any untalked of donations.

Once the police or armed forces are given the right to bear arms to clear the streets, everyone should go home.

Unfortunately, some sides are treated differently and judges side with who is in power.

But the law is the law. If they are empowered to clear the streets with lethal power, how can the state be held accountable?

Of course some idiot sought fit to prosecute the so called red police guilty for cracking down on the PAD, so after that the courts have little option but to be fair to all.

When u make a rod, it beats all equally

Edited September 17, 2015 by Thai at Heart

[DKUNPUTAF713]

I really just don't understand as other TV members, where are the laws

that are supposed to be considered and followed??

I understand that when the latest Constitution was trashed out went all

laws no matter what category!

In my opinion there are no laws whatsoever as all laws were integral

parts of the trashed Constitution!!!