An ugly clampdown on Rajabhakti protests: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
An ugly clampdown on Rajabhakti protests

Determined to keep its investigation of alleged corruption in-house, the military is badly overreacting to public involvement

BANGKOK: -- The way the National Council for Peace and Order is dealing with the Rajabhakti scandal adds weight to growing complaints that it is failing in its stated mission of ridding the country of corruption. The junta, the government and the Army are investigating allegations of massive graft in the casting of statues for the military-owned Rajabhakti Park in Prachuap Kiri Khan - and blocking all independent efforts to scrutinise the matter.

Last week two leaders of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, Jatuporn Promphan and Nuttawut Saikuar, were detained for hours after speaking out on the perceived corruption in the awarding of foundry contracts for the park's statues of revered kings.

The two were forced to promise, on threat of arrest, to avoid provoking any action concerning the scandal. The military has plainclothes officers shadowing Nuttawut, a Cabinet minister in Yingluck Shinawatra's government, and his family.

This past weekend Patnaree Charnkit, the mother of Thammasat University student activist Sirawit "Ja New" Seritiwat, was summoned to a military camp because the Army decided she had failed to stop her son from speaking out on the scandal. Patnaree told reporters she'd received a string of phone calls from military officers asking her to stop her son's political activities. Otherwise, she was told, the authorities could not guarantee his safety.

Sirawit, a political-science student, was not at home when military officers came looking for him. Instead they took his mother away and attempted to intimidate her by saying they can't protect Sirawit unless they know where he is. "What happens to your son from now on is not the responsibility of the military," Patnaree says she was told. This worried parent has pointed out to her harassers that her son is 23 years old, entitled to his own political beliefs, and well beyond her control in this regard.

Sirawit was indeed in hiding from the authorities, at least temporarily. He posted an invitation on Facebook for like-minded people to join him on a trek to Rajabhakti Park. Some followers accepted the invitation and yesterday made their way towards Hua Hin by train and private car, intending to call for action against those involved in the alleged corruption. The park, however, was "closed for repairs" and the protesters on the train were stopped at Bang Pong station in Ratchaburi, where Sirawit and others were arrested.

The government has established its own committee to investigate financial dealings at the park, which is costing more than Bt1 billion, much of it donated, the rest coming from taxpayers. Senior Army officers running the show have been accused of demanding kickbacks from contractors. Construction is under the purview of Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr, who has rejected demands for independent scrutiny.

The case represents a prime opportunity for the government to demonstrate its determination in the fight against all-pervasive corruption. It could have swiftly pinpointed any wrongdoing and punished those guilty, but instead is earning further discredit by mauling citizens who express concern.

Government Spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd has attempted to put the "happy" spin on the junta's overreaction, saying the protesters can certainly visit the park and would only face legal action if they disturbed the peace or caused other trouble. He was perhaps unwittingly too frank when he added: "Thais can judge the intention of these political organisers, and they are fed up with people who instigate political upheaval. These people should not tamper with a place that Thais built out of faith and loyalty to the monarchy by doing anything with malicious intent."

Instead of portraying concerned citizens as troublemakers when all they've done is challenge the handling of the case, the government needs to know whether any of its officials trampled on that faith and loyalty to the monarchy. Giving the public a role in the investigation would be a far more productive reaction to the protests.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/An-ugly-clampdown-on-Rajabhakti-protests-30274482.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-08

[tribalfusion001]

Newspaper editorial speaking out, maybe this junta is coming to an end. A downgrade by EASA on Thursday will be another nail in the coffin!

[aussiesteve63]

There so scared of the public finding out they are just as corrupt as the people there carting away for attitude adjustments.

[tribalfusion001]

There so scared of the public finding out they are just as corrupt as the people there carting away for attitude adjustments.

How very true. It's easy to find out in the internet age, the dinosaurs have tried to control it, but have failed!

[taff33]

Don't do as I do,you do as I tell you. There must be Officers from Burma involved,Thais wouldn't do it.

[NongKhaiKid]

The veneer of ' in the national interests ' was thin from Day 1 and is continually being stripped away as the junta entrenches itself which makes it even more dangerous.

Everything may be done for ' interests ' but not not necessarily the national kind.

[tribalfusion001]

The veneer of ' in the national interests ' was thin from Day 1 and is continually being stripped away as the junta entrenches itself which makes it even more dangerous.

Everything may be done for ' interests ' but not not necessarily the national kind.

Their bogeyman has made his new year message telling his supporters to be patient. It's on the other BKK paper from 2nd December. keyword "thaksin new year message 2015" p1 on Google

[JAG]

There so scared of the public finding out they are just as corrupt as the people there carting away for attitude adjustments.

I think the people are well aware of that, and have been for some time, if not from the start.

[shirtless]

They are all the same the junta is or has corrupt elements , and always will. Prayut you started a war on corruption , What happened ?

[EnglishJohn]

They are all the same the junta is or has corrupt elements , and always will. Prayut you started a war on corruption , What happened ?

Nobody else supported him. He also made noises about reforming the tomato police but gave up on that idea as well. They aren't called tomatoes for nothing.

Prayuth can't do any of it himself. He has to delegate. And if nobody else down the chain wants to change anything, you can be sure nothing will happen.

But anyone who thinks the best option for Thailand is another bunch of dirty cronies, they are either on the take or aren't quite altogether there. They are the 'dinosaurs' whose 3rd-world corrupt Asian politics belong in the history books as part of the record of the countries embarrassing past.

The only hope for the country is to reduce the most extreme corruption (the sort which leads to a 310: amnesty vote) and hope over time the people will pressure future politicians to act in a more honorable and civilised manner.

However going by the level of comments I see here, I'm not holding my breath.

Red-shirts going out to protest about corruption : you just couldn't make it up.

[shunter]

Strange that the greater majority of the Thai people like and agree with the curent administration.

Seems as if it is the western non voters who cannot or will not understand the idea of how Asian society in general functions who are complaining.

Now if it is so bad here so repressive so corrupt why are you all still here?

Been here many years and seen it all ,To date this administration has been fine, corruption is a slow weed to root out so be patient.Just thInk back to previous administrations and their attempts to kill democracy with false votes in Parliament and creative debating and voting times.

I prefer the current situation as opposed to the arson and barricades and riots we had in the not to long gone past.

[Somtamnication]

Super disappointed with the junta. Another nail.......

[NCFC]

Strange that the greater majority of the Thai people like and agree with the curent administration.

Seems as if it is the western non voters who cannot or will not understand the idea of how Asian society in general functions who are complaining.

Now if it is so bad here so repressive so corrupt why are you all still here?

Been here many years and seen it all ,To date this administration has been fine, corruption is a slow weed to root out so be patient.Just thInk back to previous administrations and their attempts to kill democracy with false votes in Parliament and creative debating and voting times.

I prefer the current situation as opposed to the arson and barricades and riots we had in the not to long gone past.

If the good general is so popular as you claim then he could form a political party and win a democratic election.

But we all know he will never do that because that would make him accountable to the people.

[apetley]

They are all the same the junta is or has corrupt elements , and always will. Prayut you started a war on corruption , What happened ?

Nobody else supported him. He also made noises about reforming the tomato police but gave up on that idea as well. They aren't called tomatoes for nothing.

Prayuth can't do any of it himself. He has to delegate. And if nobody else down the chain wants to change anything, you can be sure nothing will happen.

But anyone who thinks the best option for Thailand is another bunch of dirty cronies, they are either on the take or aren't quite altogether there. They are the 'dinosaurs' whose 3rd-world corrupt Asian politics belong in the history books as part of the record of the countries embarrassing past.

The only hope for the country is to reduce the most extreme corruption (the sort which leads to a 310: amnesty vote) and hope over time the people will pressure future politicians to act in a more honorable and civilised manner.

However going by the level of comments I see here, I'm not holding my breath.

Red-shirts going out to protest about corruption : you just couldn't make it up.

My wife's family complain about the corruption too. Lifelong Democrat supporters btw.

[Ricardo]

They are all the same the junta is or has corrupt elements , and always will. Prayut you started a war on corruption , What happened ?

The war continues, but the PM appears to be losing at least the occasional battle, as it's hard to tell the good-guys from the bad-guys.

If he were an admiral, he might take the Nelson (or Yingluck) approach, and say "I see no corruption".

[billphillips]

All of this could be sorted by asking a simple question ( some may unkindly say ... A simple question for simple people ... ).

Does the majority of Thai people support the current regime?

My own opinion, based on personal experience, would be a resounding .. No. By far the simplest way of testing this would be a general election. That's not going to happen because most people, including the current holders of power, would accurately predict the outcome. And there lies the problem.

A very brave editorial, considering the subject matter and current political climate, I fully expect the writer will soon be enjoying an unexpected short holiday from work by way of reward for his efforts.

[Tatsujin]

It will be good to see all those involved in the "park" scandal be charged with LM, stripped of their ranks and medals, and imprisoned. Just like they've done with the others recently. Start with the guy running the project. That will set a fine example to the rest.

[hanuman2543]

They are all the same the junta is or has corrupt elements , and always will. Prayut you started a war on corruption , What happened ?

Nobody else supported him. He also made noises about reforming the tomato police but gave up on that idea as well. They aren't called tomatoes for nothing.

Prayuth can't do any of it himself. He has to delegate. And if nobody else down the chain wants to change anything, you can be sure nothing will happen.

But anyone who thinks the best option for Thailand is another bunch of dirty cronies, they are either on the take or aren't quite altogether there. They are the 'dinosaurs' whose 3rd-world corrupt Asian politics belong in the history books as part of the record of the countries embarrassing past.

The only hope for the country is to reduce the most extreme corruption (the sort which leads to a 310: amnesty vote) and hope over time the people will pressure future politicians to act in a more honorable and civilised manner.

However going by the level of comments I see here, I'm not holding my breath.

Red-shirts going out to protest about corruption : you just couldn't make it up.

That you defend Gestapo methods like this is unbelievable. What is your country of origin? North Korea? <removed>

Edited December 8, 2015 by CharlieH

[digibum]

Now if it is so bad here so repressive so corrupt why are you all still here?

I don't know but maybe you can ask Richard Barrow who tweeted this morning that he couldn't tell if he lived in Thailand or Burma. He said that he thinks Thailand may eventually turn around but he pondered whether he would be around to see it. Not sure if he meant that it might not happen in his lifetime or he may leave Thailand before that happens but either way, for a guy so noted for taking a rather soft tone on some of the idiocy that goes on in Thailand to compare it to Burma (knowing that he has more Thais who read him than farangs), it really shows that things have taken a serious turn for the worse.

[LannaGuy]

so this week... Soldiers bullying a student's Mom because he wants to go to a park? old ladies and students herded from a train because they are a national threat if they visit a park?

thank God Mark Kent spoke up about the 'emperor's new clothes' of allowing 200 ultra-nationalists to protest unchallenged at the US Embassy yet carting away for 'attitude adjustment' these 36 citizens.

what a disgrace, what's next?

[tribalfusion001]

All of this could be sorted by asking a simple question ( some may unkindly say ... A simple question for simple people ... ).

Does the majority of Thai people support the current regime?

My own opinion, based on personal experience, would be a resounding .. No. By far the simplest way of testing this would be a general election. That's not going to happen because most people, including the current holders of power, would accurately predict the outcome. And there lies the problem.

A very brave editorial, considering the subject matter and current political climate, I fully expect the writer will soon be enjoying an unexpected short holiday from work by way of reward for his efforts.

I do recall reading that the democrats have never won an election, another 18 months should be enough time to fix the issue.

Maybe the writer is feeling this lot are running out of steam!

[mark131v]

Strange that the greater majority of the Thai people like and agree with the curent administration.

Seems as if it is the western non voters who cannot or will not understand the idea of how Asian society in general functions who are complaining.

Now if it is so bad here so repressive so corrupt why are you all still here?

Been here many years and seen it all ,To date this administration has been fine, corruption is a slow weed to root out so be patient.Just thInk back to previous administrations and their attempts to kill democracy with false votes in Parliament and creative debating and voting times.

I prefer the current situation as opposed to the arson and barricades and riots we had in the not to long gone past.

Classic.....

Greater majority? where you get that from you mean the junta sponsored poll's because there is nothing at all dodgy about them....

'I prefer the current situation as opposed to the arson and barricades and riots we had in the not to long gone past.'

Oh that's alright then, so long as your happy with the total breakdown of democracy and happy that anybody who dissents can be taken in for immediate attitude adjustment

are you speaking about the riots and public disorder when the military where failing to do their duty and stage managing this latest coup

what people like EJ and the bloke above cannot get their heads around is that wrong is wrong, doesn't mean I like Thaksin or any particular colour group but when you see on a daily basis the complete hypocrisy of these scumbags how can it ever be right?

[Pib]

The govt allows protesters to protest in front of the U.S. Embassy because the protest was in the govt's interest...of course the protesters were mostly women probably slipped Bt300 for a day's worth of protesting. But when protests occur against a govt program/project, it's off to an Army base for reeducation--well, at least it ain't off to a reeducation camp in Siberia (yet).

[tribalfusion001]

Now if it is so bad here so repressive so corrupt why are you all still here?

I don't know but maybe you can ask Richard Barrow who tweeted this morning that he couldn't tell if he lived in Thailand or Burma. He said that he thinks Thailand may eventually turn around but he pondered whether he would be around to see it. Not sure if he meant that it might not happen in his lifetime or he may leave Thailand before that happens but either way, for a guy so noted for taking a rather soft tone on some of the idiocy that goes on in Thailand to compare it to Burma (knowing that he has more Thais who read him than farangs), it really shows that things have taken a serious turn for the worse.

I've just read Richard Barrow's tweets, possible planned protest at the British Embassy, that is just not cricket old boy!

This lot must have read a manual on how to pee off influential western friends

[rtco]

Achilles Heal

[bangon04]

"These people should not tamper with a place that Thais built out of faith and loyalty to the monarchy by doing anything with malicious intent."

Not sure about the motives of the people who paid for built the park, but this does sound like a threat to use the LM law against protesters.

[tuanku]

They are all the same the junta is or has corrupt elements , and always will. Prayut you started a war on corruption , What happened ?

Nobody else supported him. He also made noises about reforming the tomato police but gave up on that idea as well. They aren't called tomatoes for nothing.

Prayuth can't do any of it himself. He has to delegate. And if nobody else down the chain wants to change anything, you can be sure nothing will happen.

But anyone who thinks the best option for Thailand is another bunch of dirty cronies, they are either on the take or aren't quite altogether there. They are the 'dinosaurs' whose 3rd-world corrupt Asian politics belong in the history books as part of the record of the countries embarrassing past.

The only hope for the country is to reduce the most extreme corruption (the sort which leads to a 310: amnesty vote) and hope over time the people will pressure future politicians to act in a more honorable and civilised manner.

However going by the level of comments I see here, I'm not holding my breath.

Red-shirts going out to protest about corruption : you just couldn't make it up.

If, as you say, all options are equally corrupt, then the corrupt group chosen by the people should be a better option than the corrupt group who took power through the threat of armed force. You say "the people will pressure future politicians", but they can only effectively pressure the ones they can vote out of office, not the ones who rule by the implied threat of armed soldiers and who can imprison you for applying pressure. What were the two red shirt leaders or the students doing other than trying to pressure corrupt "politicians" (army playing politics) Your argument is entirely contradictory - or am I not quite altogether where?

[tuanku]

Strange that the greater majority of the Thai people like and agree with the curent administration.

Seems as if it is the western non voters who cannot or will not understand the idea of how Asian society in general functions who are complaining.

Now if it is so bad here so repressive so corrupt why are you all still here?

Been here many years and seen it all ,To date this administration has been fine, corruption is a slow weed to root out so be patient.Just thInk back to previous administrations and their attempts to kill democracy with false votes in Parliament and creative debating and voting times.

I prefer the current situation as opposed to the arson and barricades and riots we had in the not to long gone past.

Now if it is so bad here so repressive so corrupt why are you all still here?

And if you are so comfortable with repressive military regimes, why not try N. Korea?

[tomacht8]

The army has taken power, has set out to fight corruption and has promised to carry out necessary reforms.
The thai population has believed them and granted a confidence in advance. It began indeed very promising.

When the case with the microphones came up, I had personally felt, that there was
a will to clear this case. One form of transparency is to disclosure in public the facts and processes.
Then, the arrest and conviction of CIB police Chef Pongpat and his cronies.
The clarification of illegal land grabs in Phuket and the cleanup from illegal buildings with bulldozers.

And then it went downhill, with the good deeds.
As was then tolerated, that high police officers announce that for them no alcohol controls apply.
Then moving the election date, brought academics silenced, fishing problem tackled halfheartedly,
attempt of buying unnecessary submarines, railway contracts behind closed doors, introducing from special power laws,
no transparency over the use of public funds, etc.

The initial optimism is gone. Initially, all were motivated and wanted to participate actively in the reshaping of the country.
Now is calm. Only a few dare to express constructive criticism.

How much money is still in the state coffers to avert for example the impending drought in the northeast, apparently no one know.

Now the “brother”, friend and classmate of the PM is in trouble.
Suspicion of corruption.
Instead to clean that case and prepare to regain confidence, they perform actions from the bottom of the drawer.

nepotism, cronyism and gloss over.

same same and not different.

Edited December 8, 2015 by tomacht8

[DKUNPUTAF713]

There is an article by Amnesty International on the arrests in Thailand.

https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/ai-on-political-arrests/

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/05/thailand-arrests-on-coup-anniversary-stark-reminder-of-repression/