PM lashes out over military’s reputation in human trafficking scandal

[webfact]

PM lashes out over military’s reputation in human trafficking scandal

Breaking News July 19, 2017 14:54

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed anger to reporters as a court prepared to deliver verdicts in a sprawling 2015 human trafficking case, which saw thousands of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants abandoned at sea and stranded in jungle camps where many died.

The case involved 103 defendants, including a senior military officer, Manas Kongpan. One defendant died during the trial.

 

Prayut asked people not to blame the entire military for the trafficking crimes while referencing the former Army general.

 

“There are many people in this human trafficking network. Manas is just part of [the network],” Prayut said on Wednesday before the court issued its verdicts.

 

“Do not forget that we have 400,000 to 500,000 soldiers. Manas is just one person. Can he ruin the whole Army?” Prayut asked furiously.

 

However, he said he had no idea how the court’s verdict would affect Thailand’s reputation regarding human trafficking.

 

The trial began in 2015 targeting suspected syndicates accused of trafficking migrants, notably ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar, to Thailand and on to other destinations. Citizens from Thailand and Myanmar were arrested that year following the discovery of a mass grave in jungle camps in Sadao district, bordering Malaysia in Songkhla province, which had been used by traffickers to hold the migrants.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30321187

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-07-19

[JoePai]

he said he had no idea how the court’s verdict would affect Thailand’s reputation regarding human trafficking

 

Too late to worry about reputation, that was shot a long time ago

 

[bambula]

He is not the only one... Lambda soldiers are not to blame but the corrupted high officers who should be an example for their men and for the nation.

A black sheep is enough to corrupt the all herd.

[Just1Voice]

What's wrong, Pan-O?  Upset that some of YOUR BOYS got nailed? 

 

[Pridilives]

Army traffic people, army cut down tree for sell, army trade gem with Khmer Rouge, army big man about yaba and Gogo. Not 500,000 army bad just 1,500 general bad

Edited July 19, 2017 by Pridilives

[Bluespunk]

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, he said he had no idea how the court’s verdict would affect Thailand’s reputation regarding human trafficking.

Negatively. 

Edited July 19, 2017 by Bluespunk

[darksidedog]

If he had an ounce of decency, he would simply accept the verdict and the sentencing, as something positive and use it as a foundation upon which to improve matters. The very fact the trial is happening is good news, in that it shows that trafficking is no longer acceptable. Instead he harps on about reputation and image, which are in such a sorry state, there is little point defending them. he really doesn't have a strong grasp on reality.

[colinneil]

PM lashes out about military reputation, bit late me old son.

Even generals, you know the whiter than white chaps, are just low life scum, involved in human trafficking, disgusting.

[Becker]

"However, he said he had no idea how the court’s verdict would affect Thailand’s reputation regarding human trafficking."

 

There, fixed it for you!

[Cadbury]

It might be this person or that person who is going to be blamed but ultimately big cheese General Prayut Chan-o-cha is the Supreme Commander of everything and everyone in Thailand who walks, talks and breathes.....including the military.

 

He allowed it to happen on his watch so the buck stops with him.

 

[Samui Bodoh]

Given that the Thai military has been doing counter-insurgency operations in the south for a decade or so, it is simply impossible that human-traffickers were able to operate there unless there was widespread collusion. 

 

Many more should be on trial.

[trainman34014]

When does he ever do anything else but 'lash out' at reporters ?

[heybruce]

2 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Given that the Thai military has been doing counter-insurgency operations in the south for a decade or so, it is simply impossible that human-traffickers were able to operate there unless there was widespread collusion. 

 

Many more should be on trial.

Correct.  After the trafficking was revealed the junta's first response was to blame it on the police and politicians.  The RTP became annoyed at this BS and so came up with ironclad evidence against Manas.  The junta shut up, and talk of reform of the RTP ended for a while, then returned in a much subdued form. 

 

I'm sure the RTP could have incriminated a lot of other generals if they'd wanted to.  Manas was the one identified to remind the military not to betray partner's in crime.

[YetAnother]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed anger to reporters as a court prepared to deliver verdicts in a sprawling 2015 human trafficking case, which saw thousands of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants abandoned at sea and stranded in jungle camps where many died.

 

i really doubt he knows what is really going on

[Bluespunk]

1 hour ago, trainman34014 said:

Deleted

Edited July 19, 2017 by Bluespunk

[Eric Loh]

This just may be tip of the iceberg and there may be more police and military officers involved. If Prayut seriously concern about this case, remove the defamation charge and guarantee safety to Pol Gen Praween who has to escape to Australia because of death threats. Anything less than doing that, he will be seen as shielding more accomplices from the police and military. 

[spidermike007]

I think it is safe to say the vast majority of Thai soldiers are hard working, decent kids, just trying to make a better life for themselves. The real guilt lies with the high ranking officers. No doubt, they are the guilty ones, and the ones who are making enormous amounts of money off of the life of crime they have chosen. So, of the 500,000 army soldiers, one would presume the guilt would fall squarely on the shoulders of somewhere between several hundred officers, and a several thousand. Certainly not over 475,000 rank and file soldiers. So, the little guy needs to take this into account. We are not judging the average soldier. Just many of his top officers. 

Edited July 19, 2017 by spidermike007

[Cadbury]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

PM lashes out

Hope it's not the BDSM lash being talked about but nothing would surprise.

Jokes aside have a look at the body language.

Arm outstretched, open palm pointing away and distant from himself. "Who me"?..... he says? 

I am the boss in charge but I had nothing to do with it. Must have been that scapegoat over there.

 

[Eric Loh]

What kind of example would a General give to the ordinary soldiers or policemen when they amass unusual wealth not commensurate with their salaries and break the highest law in the country by staging coups. That vast majority of soldiers and policemen will clamour to get to higher positions at all costs as it guarantee wealth and power. We can say that the generals are poor example of leaders and are bad influence. 

[lemonjelly]

Could've just said how this general has put the Thai Army to shame and how saddened he is by this, instead of ranting at the media (again)


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[klauskunkel]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“Do not forget that we have 400,000 to 500,000 soldiers. Manas is just one person. Can he ruin the whole Army?” Prayut asked furiously.

and another question: Prayuth is just one person, can he ruin a whole country?

in both cases "yes" because there is no oversight.

[amdy2206]

 

“Do not forget that we have 400,000 to 500,000 soldiers. Manas is just one person. Can he ruin the whole Army?” Prayut asked furiously.

 

As far as I can see the 'Only One Person to ruin the whole army' is the current PM. Armies and Politics don't belong together. They don't understand the general population. They are too used to giving orders which are obeyed by their soldiers. Running a country is SO different.

[Dave67]

Why are they always going on about their reputation?

 

[Jonmarleesco]

'Do not forget that we have 400,000 to 500,000 soldiers. Manas is just one person. Can he ruin the whole Army?” Prayut asked furiously.'

 

There speaks a military man, when it should be the PM. 

[Prbkk]

One man can't ruin the reputation of the military? Correct, but it wasn't just the one man involved in turning 1000 Rohingya out to sea in leaky boats, was it. Not to mention the mass graves. NOT one, by any means.

[Lupatria]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Can he ruin the whole Army?” Prayut asked furiously.

No need to become angry as another person did this already successfully.

[baboon]

Shouldn't charges of dereliction of duty and failure to prevent corruption be filed?

[heybruce]

42 minutes ago, baboon said:

Shouldn't charges of dereliction of duty and failure to prevent corruption be filed?

Should but won't. 

[toddsaed]

only Thailand and Egypt have a military govt\ you cannot fight Nature and the world forever, just a another

sad episode as the nineteenth coup implodes, the future democracies must have strong measures

to prevent another such human rights disaster, the world does not help because Thailand has no oil

and is stragegically unimportant, this the worlds fault then too

 

[Mad mick]

15 hours ago, JoePai said:

he said he had no idea how the court’s verdict would affect Thailand’s reputation regarding human trafficking

 

Too late to worry about reputation, that was shot a long time ago

 

They r in denial on every negative . Can't accept the truth .dont blame the army ? Who organised the coup " Micky mouse i guess