Midweek rant: The power of money – but what about the public interest?

[webfact]

Midweek rant: The power of money – but what about the public interest?

File Photo 

 

Too often in Thailand the soothing power of money replaces justice.

 

What should be something in addition to criminal prosecution is frequently used as a convenient and easy way out.

 

Especially for the rich and famous. But also for any Tom, Dick or Harry who has a reasonably full wallet.

 

It begs the question – as more and more cases are settled by the passing over of cash is the public interest being served?

 

Is it my foot!

 

This week we were reminded of the case two years back when Thai/British actress Anna Reese simply bought her way out of trouble.

 

It was all done in full view of the public. But it wasn’t a fine. It was just something agreed on under the auspices of the police.

 

The family accepted money in the death of 44 year old Suphanburi policeman Napadol killed in his patrol car.

 

Was it just celebrity and wealth that got the actress off? Not really – anyone with money can buy their way out it seems.

 

What kind of message does this send out, especially to young people reading the news?

 

I’ll tell you.

 

It says if you can pay you don’t need to take responsibility for your actions, that’s what.

 

And as we see the actress once again behaving atrociously and drink driving this week we can see that she has absolutely learnt nothing from killing another person.

 

Do it again, just pay some more.

 

The tragedy is, while the latest case is going to court, it may still have been settled in cash if she had hurt someone else.

 

Time and again we see crimes settled with the handing over of everything from a few thousand baht to a few million. It happens in everything from assault, to criminal damage, to negligence – even in cases involving children who are maltreated.

 

It happens everywhere, all the time.

 

Sometimes the figures are not even revealed leading to more lurid speculation and lack of transparency.

 

The time has come for the police to prosecute all cases especially those in the public interest. And stop interpreting the law when they have a duty on behalf of the public.

 

If money is to play a part then it should be IN ADDITION to criminal prosecution and jail time, not instead of it.

 

When OJ Simpson managed to escape justice in the celebrated double homicide case there was still the civil matter than gave something back to the families of his victims. He was hit for millions but only after he was tried.

 

While many foreign legal systems try to grapple with the issues of compensation and justice few are like Thailand where financial compensation seems to rule the roost.

 

Of course, settling things with money also suits the police. It is much easier and involves less work and loose ends can be tied up in one sweet little bundle.

 

Everyone looks good and everyone seems on the surface to go home happy.

 

But the law and the people are made to look like fools for the sake of cute expediency.

 

The public should demand of their lawmakers that crimes are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Not just when the police decide – and not just when poor people accept money.

 

Criminals must end up in court and be given appropriate sentences.

 

Not just allowed to open their wallets and move on to the next crime, the next victim.

 

Victims must not be pressurized by either the police or the system into accepting money.

 

Sure, many are impoverishedand we know why they accept. They need money even if it is a pittance to the guilty.

 

And their cultural background screams too much to them to live and let live. Move on, a sense of fatalism prevailing. Your lot is what it is!

 

These people – as much as the public – are not served justice. They should know that those that harm them are first and foremost being prosecuted for their illegal actions.

 

THEN, and only then, will they have the opportunity to be financially compensated for their loss, for the damage done to them.

 

The system needs to be a double edged sword directly squarely at the criminals with clear guideline to show that justice is done and seen to be done for the sake of all in society.

 

Stop treating money as the universal healer.

 

And start thinking about justice and appropriate punishment for crimes.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-05-24

[Get Real]

Well written and not much more to say. The system just doesn´t work.

[ezzra]

If money didn't exist, there would be a need to invent it as for all it's ills

and miss use in society, it plays an undeniable important roll in

every day life....

[alant]

2 hours ago, Get Real said:

Well written and not much more to say. The system just doesn´t work.

Looks like the system is working well, may not be the best system, may even be the wrong system but...

[yellowboat]

There are people in this world that are just so selfish that they couldn't careless about others.  Some of them work for organizations that are suppose to help communities or the world as a whole.  At it's best, the world is rather mediocre .   

[Get Real]

2 hours ago, alant said:

Looks like the system is working well, may not be the best system, may even be the wrong system but...

Didn´t understand a smack! Can you please elaborate on the big but.

[snoopy21]

Thai also believes in another system called Karma or retribution or simply "as you sow, sow shall you reap". That's why the actress once became a nun after committed the crime not only for creating a publicity for herself (sorry not to say for her wrongdoing as I didn't see or feel her sense of confession from the photo last time) but also for "wiping out" her Karma. Perhaps psychologically, the family of the killed police might console themselves by thinking that it is Karma that the police had done something bad even killed that actress in his past life, and he has to payback that actress this life. Practically, getting monetary damage is the only thing that they could obtain.

[Bikeman93]

If money is to buy your absolution it should be absolutely all your money.

[seajae]

couldnt agree more, how can paying someone money for killing a family member make you not guilty of committing a crime in the first place. In any other country these people would face a magistrate in court for breaking the law but here you can simply pay your way out yet, this is why corruption is rife in this country. Where else can you kill people then not be charged if you cough up enough money, shows everyone just how incompetent and corrupt the police are, line the right pockets and you can do what ever you want, even more so if you have the right name or connections.

[oldlakey]

2 hours ago, Get Real said:

Didn´t understand a smack! Can you please elaborate on the big but.

What you see is what you've got

[scorecard]

4 hours ago, ezzra said:

If money didn't exist, there would be a need to invent it as for all it's ills

and miss use in society, it plays an undeniable important roll in

every day life....

 

How true, however there is a case (and it gets debated occasionally at some of the better business schools) whether there is a need for another system in addition to / instead of just money as a measure of value. (Money is a 'Measure of value' - Adam Smith.)

 

Whilst we only have money as a measure of value there seems to be a case that those who are clever (could also mean ruthless and unethical) at gaining monetary wealth (and therefore can pay off the police / justice system / people they have hurt etc. there are also folks who make very valuable contributions to society but their efforts don't generate personal wealth. Fair? 

[Bikeman93]

Just now, scorecard said:

 

How true, however there is a case (and it gets debated occasionally at some of the better business schools) whether there is a need for another system in addition to / instead of just money as a measure of value. (Money is a 'Measure of value' - Adam Smith.)

 

Whilst we only have money as a measure of value there seems to be a case that those who are clever (could also mean ruthless and unethical) at gaining monetary wealth (and therefore can pay off the police / justice system / people they have hurt etc. there are also folks who make very valuable contributions to society but their efforts don't generate personal wealth. Fair? 

You answered your own question.

To those who make valuable contributions money is not their source of riches.

To the unethical their world has no worth.

[smutcakes]

On the topic of power of money i notice that the old red bull case has died the death again. No follow up from reporters, papers etc, just let it go and wait for the next clamor. Then let it die again... repeat......

 

[Khon Kaen Dave]

I am not a great fan of the RTB, but i would say that if they were paid a salary equivalent to what they are SUPPOSED to do, it might make difference. Lets face it, to an extaent, they do face danger every day, some have been shot, some have been dragged down a road for several kilometers by , drugged up, drunken,arrogant, heirs to billions. Would you honestly put up with all that , plus having to purchase your own uniform,gun,bullets, motorcycles, and promotion?

 The easy lure of corruption is rife throughout the force . They live by it, because their is no other way, until they are steeped in it, and as much of the system as every other officer.Then its too late and their is no way out.I read the other day that 50% of what could be found by the BIB for a person seeking their help, was to go to the police for investigation and result time. I think the amount came to 500.000 baht, their way. Now, wouldn't you rather cop a few quid like that, than hunting in the fields for a Yabba addict who had just shot his 15 year old girlfriend and had a gun? I know which way i would go. We all ridicule and moan about the BIB, and are convinced we all get F####d up the  a##e, when dealing with them, but there is a reason why.

 On the other hand, it would be a great show of equality if the sentences, handed down by these judges, actually reflected the crime committed.

.

[bazza73]

Life is like a shit sandwich. The more bread you have, the less shit you have to eat.

[rkidlad]

Some 'farangs' say it's their system and we must respect it. I don't agree. Like you said; how does this serve public interest? It doesn't. It serves the rich. The average poor just don't understand how detrimental it is to society. 

[lvr181]

Ummmmmmm..............does "public interest" exist in Thailand?  

[Bikeman93]

9 hours ago, bazza73 said:

Life is like a shit sandwich. The more bread you have, the less shit you have to eat.

You don't have to buy or eat it, its shit so let it be. Until.....

 

8 hours ago, rkidlad said:

Some 'farangs' say it's their system and we must respect it. I don't agree. Like you said; how does this serve public interest? It doesn't. It serves the rich. The average poor just don't understand how detrimental it is to society. 

The average poor realise their potential and rise above poverty. If you can survive you can also thrive. How much money has gone through your hands in your years? If just 10% is cut from spending and the "want it now" attitude life becomes much easier in the longer term. Many will disagree but sacrifice is what's necessary and small things multiplied make a big difference.

 

PS. Responding to these particular posts and not the main question.

Edited May 24, 2017 by Bikeman93
Addition

[Stargeezr]

Thanks for another good rant Rooster. I agree fully, the rich can pay their way out of going to jail for their crimes, while the normal or poor

people just go to jail .  The rich should have to go to jail and spend some time there as well as pay a compensation to the people they affected.

  This is not done that way in Thailand, and many other countries. 

[rkidlad]

5 hours ago, Bikeman93 said:

You don't have to buy or eat it, its shit so let it be. Until.....

 

The average poor realise their potential and rise above poverty. If you can survive you can also thrive. How much money has gone through your hands in your years? If just 10% is cut from spending and the "want it now" attitude life becomes much easier in the longer term. Many will disagree but sacrifice is what's necessary and small things multiplied make a big difference.

 

PS. Responding to these particular posts and not the main question.

You've lost me?

[alant]

22 hours ago, Get Real said:

Didn´t understand a smack! Can you please elaborate on the big but.

Not a smack

Just a matter of which system is the norm.

(for me its the wrong system but it seems to be employed and accepted here)

[YetAnother]

On 5/24/2017 at 3:59 AM, webfact said:

from killing another person.

ouch; solidifies the authors points