Thread: Divided Thailand seeks elusive 'normalcy'

Wow, not the Nation made it on to the BBC....cool!

Another excellent piece by The Bangkok Post.....

Bangkok Post : Hoping for reconciliation without having to say sorry

Hoping for reconciliation without having to say sorry

• Published: 27/08/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Today marks 100 days since the military's "containment" of the red shirt protesters on May 19, and Thai society is still wrestling with the question of what constitutes truth, reconciliation and accountability.


Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada places flowers on Aug 23 in remembrance of slain Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, at the spot where he was killed during the April 10 military crackdown on red shirt protesters near the Democracy Monument in Bangkok.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) stated at the Justice Ministry on Monday that it has received 42 of the 91 autopsy results from Metropolitan Police Bureau officials, but did not give details about individual cases such as the cause of death or who may have killed the victims.
DSI deputy chief Naras Savestanan's statement that not all the deaths were caused by security officers at least shed a dim light on the mystery and gives some hope that the public might soon receive an explanation regarding who should be held accountable for the deaths.

Still, the information which society, especially relatives of the victims, would like to receive most, is the circumstances in which their loved ones were killed. That has not yet emerged.

The government-appointed Truth for Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has also put forward its recommendation that the Abhisit administration release all necessary information about the death cases and remedy measures for the relatives, the status of red shirt demonstrators and those put behind bars. That suggestion has not been heeded.

Kanit na Nakorn, the TRC chairman, told the press he was not in a position to lecture the government but he believed an apology might be a good start for reconciliation.

Even though the Kanit panel has good intentions, its decision to confine the mission to explaining how and why the unrest erupted, and not to attribute blame or to find culprits, has dashed the hopes of relatives of the 91 dead.

"I think these people with big names are doing things backwards. The Kanit panel and the Anand-Prawase committees - their hearts may be in the right place but they haven't got their priorities right," said 43-year-old Pansak Srithep, whose 17-year-old son Samaphan is believed to have been the first person killed on May 15 at Soi Rang Nam.

Mr Pansak said the authorities and reform and reconciliation panellists would not be able to address the larger ill of social inequality without getting the facts of the May riots out in a transparent and straightforward manner.

Sunai Phasuk, representative of Human Rights Watch, shared Mr Pansak's views. Mr Sunai said people were wondering if we could really move the country forward from the painful past if the facts cannot be honestly told.

"The desperate desire for reconciliation cannot yet take place till the prerequisite - the task of fact-finding - is fulfilled and society is given certain explanations," he said.

Ordinary citizens, such as the owner of a restaurant serving duck noodles in Nonthaburi, said reconciliation might also be perceived through any appropriate gestures from the present leadership.

"But I haven't seen Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva or his team from the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) send any consolatory bouquets to the hospitalised red shirt demonstrators or letters of condolence to relatives of the dead red shirt protesters," said the entrepreneur.

It is true that an apology must also necessarily come from the lips of red shirt core leaders, especially those who commandeered the protest on stage. The fact that they acknowledged the existence of - and probably coordinated with - militant groups has put many human rights defenders in an awkward position, particularly when it comes to the task of bringing to light the plight of red shirt commoners.

"A number of democracy and justice lovers are flabbergasted. They don't know what to do. Between the the armed struggle and the brutal crackdown - which action was worse?" asked a veteran human rights activist.

He conceded that many activists have chosen to limit their perspectives to either the issue of foreign migrant workers or the southern violence. They try not to be exposed as helping the red shirts voice their grievances.

While several activists, lawyers and academics are withdrawing themselves from the National Human Rights Commission's (NHRC) fact-finding subcommittees, many others have been joining the National Reform Committee and the National Reform Assembly as the long-term task of the two panels fit their agenda better in addressing the root causes of the country's socio-economic problems.

Even so, people like Mr Pansak who were directly affected by the political conflict are not convinced that Thailand can create a decent future if the past is not thoroughly "cleansed".

Phayao Akkahad - whose daughter Kamolkade, a volunteer medical assistant, was killed at Wat Patumwanaram on May 19 - said she has yet to be contacted by those government-appointed commmittees.

"We probably will have to reach out to them. Neither the TRC nor the NHRC have spoken with us to hear our story, nor provided us with any information," said Mrs Phayao. Mr Pansak also shared this frustration.

Apart from the royal assistance of 50,000 baht and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security's payment of 400,000 baht for each victim, the Justice Ministry's rights protection committee is considering additional financial remedy for the relatives of those who were killed during the summer mayhem. So far, however, little progress has been reported about probing the causes of the deaths.

Only occasionally - for example when Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada visited Thailand to discuss the death of Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, or when the sister of slain Italian photographer Fabio Polenghi urged the government to reveal the circumstances of her brother's death - would some comments then be made available.

The tardiness in reporting on the April-May deaths is such that director of the CRES, Suthep Thaugsuban, has come out to criticise the DSI for its "unreadiness" to release any information. This is ironic because the DSI has been part of the CRES' apparatus from the very beginning and the lack of a report is a significant flaw in any investigation into the aftermath of the military operation.

Mrs Phayao believes the truth will come out only when nobody has to "practise self-censorship" under the state of emergency.

"I think we've been pushing everything in our own personal capacity - suing key cabinet ministers and knocking doors at the agencies responsible for rehabilitative measures. Now I think I'll seek international help if there is no further progress," Mrs Phayao said.

Tomorrow she plans to arrange a religious rite to mark 100 days since her daughter's death, and to remind society that the abrupt ending of that life, and of many others' during the April-May clashes, has yet to be explained.

Good thing about the Thais is that they're used to national disruption, and when it's over they'll step over the rubble and get on with their lives till it resumes.

Originally Posted by keda

Good thing about the Thais is that they're used to national disruption, and when it's over they'll step over the rubble and get on with their lives till it resumes.

No they LIKE FREE T-SHIRTS

THAILAND: National reconciliation and reform: all talk and no action | Prachatai English

THAILAND: National reconciliation and reform: all talk and no action

Fri, 27/08/2010 - 12:36
Jaran Ditapichai

Three months after the Army’s crackdown on May 19th, 2010 which caused 91 deaths and almost 2,000 injured, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has not yet come to terms with the fact that his soldiers killed people.

His government still hunts Red Shirts all over the country, during the 3rd month several people were arrested. The Emergency Decree is still in effect in 7 provinces including Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakarn, and Pathum Thani. The Attorney General indicted seven leaders and 12 associates of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on terrorism charges and the criminal court has not released them on bail. Provincial criminal courts have sentenced some red shirts from 6 months to 2 years in jail. All the while those who seized the Prime Minister's office in 2008 have been allowed bail and those who closed Suwannaphum Airport have not been prosecuted. The government continues to shut the sole station that belong to the Reds, 32 community radios, 5 journals and magazines, and 36 internet media outlets.

Concerning the national reconciliation plan of the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, his five committees of political/media reform are composed of persons who are former PM Thaksin's known enemies and enemies of Red Shirts people. It is unfortunate the Truth and Reconciliation Committee began its work with public hearings of the incident instead of interviewing the victims and the Army in its initial steps and to date have had discussions and have not issued any report. The committee to study amendment of the 2010 Constitution agreed with almost every article of the 2007 Constitution, which is not democratic.

There is no dispute that Thailand must move beyond violence and work toward reconciliation. But reconciliation begins with the restoration of the fundamental rights and human rights of the people. What this government has done so far is give a lip service to the principle they explain to the international media or to the diplomatic communities and does the opposite.

On the other side, I would like to assure that during the last 3 months the Thai people who love freedom and the Red Shirts are resisting the government’s continued violation of human rights. The Red Shirt movement has recovered rapidly and continues to fight in the political arena. There are a variety of Sunday political activities which are attracting more attention by the public. Some Red Shirts are formulating new political ideals and strategies because they believe the old way will not lead them to victory. They're determined to fight for real democracy and justice by all means possible because they have clear ideas who they are fighting against.

However, for immediate resolution, the Criminal Courts should release all UDD leaders and their associates on bail. The government must deal with the political and legal double-standards, most particularly the failure to move forward with prosecution of the Yellow Shirt leadership who presumably violated laws in 2008. Also, the government must stop censoring and blocking all opposition media. Finally, Prime Minister Abhisit should declare amnesty, dissolve the Parliament, and call for general elections on November 14.

Because of the massacre which took place three months ago, the present aristocratic government in Thailand affects not only this region but to the rest of the world. Therefore, we ask for moral and political support from the international community.

An article by Jaran Ditapichai published by the Asian Human Rights Commission

The views shared in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC, and the AHRC takes no responsibility for them.

About the Author:
Jaran Ditapichai is a UDD leader, and a former National Human Rights Commissioner of Thailand.

# # #

About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has not yet come to terms with the fact that his soldiers killed people.

.....

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255308280018

PM: fresh election can be held once normalcy takes hold

BANGKOK, 28 August 2010 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says a fresh election can take place once the country returns to normalcy.

Following a report that the Prime Minister would not dissolve the House of Representatives for fear that a fresh election would not take place, Mr Abhisit stated the general elections would be held once the country returned to normalcy. He pointed out that holding an election amid the conflicts within the society would lead to social rifts and violence and could result in a failed election.

The Prime Minister said all parties should help bring about peace and order to the country if they wished to have a fresh election soon. Any political movement can be made under the laws.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says a fresh election can take place once the country returns to normalcy.

and how many times have we heard this now ?

IMO a fresh election is needed before the country can return to normalcy.

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

IMO a fresh election is needed before the country can return to normalcy.

Agree, there's a strong argument for this now I believe.

The piece in The Nation yesterday was along this line too.

Also, it appears he also has said that the emergency decree will be lifted last in Bangkok. So it appears "normalcy" (it really is his favourite word) will only be achieved when the decree is lifted.

As it has been made clear that he is the person to lift the decree, it would appear to be down to him and him alone as to when and whether an election is called....in effect. Quite some power he has there.....

So we wait...and wait....

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255308290019

PM to evaluate situation before deciding on general election


BANGKOK, 29 August 2010 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has announced that he has yet to evaluate the situation prior to arranging a fresh general election in the beginning of next year.

In response to a speculation that the house would be dissolved soon, the Prime Minister stated that clarifications about the matter should be sought from people who made the comment. He said he personally would like to see the nation have greater stability until the end of this year, and then beginning to evaluate the situation.

Prime Minister Abhisit admitted that the country was still suffering from some violent incidents while some groups of people refused to have a peaceful environment that could pave ways to a general election. He said the situation would be evaluated again at the beginning of next year.

After the end of the first reading of the 2011 budget bill, some MPs were reported to defect to new parties, especially from the opposition Pheu Thai Party to the coalition Bhumjaithai Party. The situation has led to a speculation that the house might be dissolved very soon.

Bangkok Post : Somsak supports amnesty proposal

Somsak supports amnesty proposal

• Published: 11/09/2010 at 05:07 PM
• Online news: Breakingnews

Somsak Prissanananthakul, a key figure of the Chartthai Pattana Party, said on Saturday that he agrees with the proposal that the government should issue a law to grant amnesty to all parties to lead to a national reconciliation.

Mr Somsak said this in support of the proposal by Newin Chidchob, leader of the Friends of Newin political group inside the main coalition partner Bhumjaithai Party, that an amnesty law be issued to create a national unity.

“All parties must forgive each other, forget the past and start the new. In fact, both Bhumjaithai and the opposition Puea Thai parties had already proposed the amnesty bills to the House of Representatives.

“The two bills contain similar content—forgive each other and start counting from number zero. It’s a petty that the lower house has failed to consider the proposed amnesty bills”, said Mr Somsak.

Asked about groups that disagreed with the amnesty law issuing would take to the streets to rally against the attempts, Mr Somsak pointed out that Thai people can forget the bitterness of the May 1992 bloodshed by offering forgiveness.

It’s time to forget the past, he said.

Mr Somsak stressed that the amnesty should be given to only political case offenders, not the ones charged with criminal offences.

and let the nest of snakes be free again ? no fucking way

The PAD leaders have been given a de facto amnesty by way of the corrupt court system. While the Reds leaders have been pounced upon, imprisoned and given no quarter under the same ruling elite controled legal system.

So yea, there is a fair way to go for reconciliation. One way to appease the peoples feelings of injustice would be to declare a political amnesty so that the opposition is treated equally, abandon political censorship of the media and start afresh with free and fair elections. But thats not going to happen because it would mean the military backed ruling class would be booted out of government.

All this talk about reconciliation is a complete farce in the face of the ruling governments actions to undermine democracy. Its subjugation, not reconciliation the ruling class are seeking. Such is the reason for the conflict in the country.

Originally Posted by Panda

The PAD leaders have been given a de facto amnesty by way of the corrupt court system. While the Reds leaders have been pounced upon, imprisoned and given no quarter under the same ruling elite controled legal system.

hopefully you are not brain dead enough to understand why or do you need pictures ?

Originally Posted by Panda

Its subjugation, not reconciliation the ruling class are seeking.

It's funny, but some still don't see it.

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Originally Posted by Panda

Its subjugation, not reconciliation the ruling class are seeking.

It's funny, but some still don't see it.

The Thais see it and know it well. Only some people like our little Froggie mate BF dont get the big picture.

Originally Posted by Panda

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Originally Posted by Panda

Its subjugation, not reconciliation the ruling class are seeking.

It's funny, but some still don't see it.

The Thais see it and know it well. Only some people like our little Froggie mate BF dont get the big picture.

and you think you have the big picture ? you are clueless as they come

Yeah, I'd noticed how Jatuporn had been suffering...

And the hundreds of people who burned down my neighbourhood, they seem to be strangely absent from the figures quoted for those detained.

Oh yeah and there's a huge fucking difference between committing arson at approx 37 locations, burning malls and peoples livelihoods to the ground and blockading an airport, which hurt no one.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Yeah, I'd noticed how Jatuporn had been suffering...

And the hundreds of people who burned down my neighbourhood, they seem to be strangely absent from the figures quoted for those detained.

Oh yeah and there's a huge fucking difference between committing arson at approx 37 locations, burning malls and peoples livelihoods to the ground and blockading an airport, which hurt no one.

Yea the blocading of the airport, and the government house was harmless. Lets do it again and see how it goes. Oh no, that would be terrorism . One law for the rich and another for the poor.

It is this social and judicial injustice that is at the core of this conflict. Yet some like you are too blind to see it.

Originally Posted by Panda

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Yeah, I'd noticed how Jatuporn had been suffering...

And the hundreds of people who burned down my neighbourhood, they seem to be strangely absent from the figures quoted for those detained.

Oh yeah and there's a huge fucking difference between committing arson at approx 37 locations, burning malls and peoples livelihoods to the ground and blockading an airport, which hurt no one.

Yea the blocading of the airport, and the government house was harmless. Lets do it again and see how it goes. Oh no, that would be terrorism . One law for the rich and another for the poor.

It is this social and judicial injustice that is at the core of this conflict. Yet some like you are too blind to see it.

I'm blind? Your inability to accurately interpret the written word should call into question your vision....

Both were bad, but saying there's any comparison between the two is just ridiculous.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

And the hundreds of people who burned down my neighbourhood,

objective as usual

Originally Posted by Mid

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

And the hundreds of people who burned down my neighbourhood,

objective as usual

says the brain dead american