Chatty Posted July 26, 2008 Report Share Posted July 26, 2008 Finally, from the situation at Udontani, I'm not sure if anyone have seen secretsazngirl's journal, if not the link is here http://www.thailandfriends.com/index.php?name=Journal&view=journal&juid=71675&jid=57176 I don't know what do you think about this situation... some people might say "I don't care" some people might think "It's not my problem" well, at least human rights watch could see it. Thailand: Protect Opposition Rallies From Attack Investigate Violence by Pro-Government Groups (New York, July 26, 2008) ? Thai authorities should ensure that opposition political rallies are protected from attack by pro-government groups, Human Rights Watch said today. Since late May 2008, pro-government groups have attacked about a dozen rallies across Thailand organized by the People?s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a coalition of groups critical of the government. On July 24, 2008, in the most serious incident to date, police stood by while pro-government thugs beat and critically injured at least 13 PAD supporters and destroyed public property at a rally in Udorn Thani province. ?Thai authorities have failed to protect their citizens? basic right to peaceful assembly,? said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. ?By allowing pro-government thugs free rein to unleash violence, the authorities are putting Thailand?s fragile democracy at risk. Officials should investigate these attacks and hold to account those responsible for the violence, as well as any officials who failed to stop it.? On July 24, Kwanchai Praipana and Uthai Saenkaew, the younger brother of Agriculture Minister Theerachai Saenkaew, led some 1,000 members of the pro-government Khon Rak Udorn Club to forcibly break up a peaceful rally of about 200 PAD supporters at Nong Prajak public park in Muang district, Udorn Thani province. Local radio station FM 97.5 reportedly urged pro-government supporters to carry out violence against the rally. Pro-government supporters were armed with swords, axes, knives, iron clubs, wooden clubs, and slingshots. News footage and eyewitness accounts show that local authorities made no effort to stop the violence. Some 500 police and district defense volunteers at the rally did not try to perform their duties ? even when thugs beat PAD supporters nearly to death right in front of them. And they made no attempt to arrest those who destroyed property at the rally. Since May 25, tens of thousands of people have joined the PAD in rallies in Bangkok and across the country to express opposition for the administration of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. The PAD has accused the government of corruption, abuse of power, and being unpatriotic, among other criticisms. Although the PAD often uses strong language to criticize the government and has staged lengthy roadblocks in Bangkok, most of its activities have been peaceful. On June 20, PAD supporters tried to force their way through police barricades to seize the Government House where the Cabinet sits. On at least 11 occasions in Bangkok, Udorn Thani, Sakol Nakhon, Chiang Mai, Sri Saket, Chiang Rai, Mahasarakham, and Buriram provinces, pro-government groups that are often associated with members of parliament from the ruling party have attacked PAD supporters, causing scores of injuries and damaging public property. In one instance, at a PAD rally in Mahasarakham province on July 23, former senator Karun Sai-Ngarm was on the stage when he was hit in the face with a marble from a slingshot and had to be rushed to hospital. To date Thai authorities have failed to take action against those responsible for the attacks. In some cases, local police and provincial governors have promised to investigate the attacks and arrest those responsible but there is no evidence that this has occurred. ?The government of Prime Minister Samak should uphold the right to peaceful assembly as a basic component of democracy guaranteed in the Thai Constitution,? said Pearson. " By allowing pro-government thugs free rein to unleash violence, the authorities are putting Thailand?s fragile democracy at risk. Officials should investigate these attacks and hold to account those responsible for the violence, as well as any officials who failed to stop it. " Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunsnow Posted July 26, 2008 Report Share Posted July 26, 2008 It is amazing how sadly incompetent the Thai police force is. No riot gear, no tear gas. Just push a little and they let rioters go through on to their attacks. It is huge shame for Thai police. Well, not that that is nothing new...meaning...som nam naa, This Is Thailand and so worth...Being a police should be honor to serve and protect people. Instead...well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulgh3rd Posted July 26, 2008 Report Share Posted July 26, 2008 the problem with a improperly trained, prepared, and equiped police force is that eventually they will get pushed to far and MUST respond for their safety and the safety of the general public by showing that people can rely on that the government and it's law enforcement. If they do not the puplace will descend into anarchy because fear of reprisal from the government (fines, jail, a good ass whooping, etc) that keeps the fragile thing called soceity together. Take LA where Gans outnumber police like 5-1 or some incredible number and fear of retribution is what keeps civil peace. How long before something can ignite the tempers on both sides and one of those sides is better armed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle Posted July 26, 2008 Report Share Posted July 26, 2008 Sounds like the republican party in the US during elections, :twisted: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulgh3rd Posted July 26, 2008 Report Share Posted July 26, 2008 I think more like the leftist anytime you speak something different then they agree with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle Posted July 26, 2008 Report Share Posted July 26, 2008 I think more like the leftist anytime you speak something different then they agree with. :shock: :roll: typical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle Posted July 27, 2008 Report Share Posted July 27, 2008 Let's be honest here, Thailand has always spoken about having democracy, but as we all know, the reality betrays this general perception. Thailand is a prime example of countries signing treaties, for example the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, without the means or intention of actually improving human rights practices. Nonetheless, good on the PAD supporters; the fact that they can protest is a strengthening of civil society, who it is believed, act as the enforcement mechanism human rights treaties lack. :idea: Wouldn't citizens fighting it out be a civil war ? Freedom to express dissagreement is one thing , physically forcing it on another in a threatening way is just tyranny. Gandhi united people and showed the power of minds together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle Posted July 27, 2008 Report Share Posted July 27, 2008 I hope they can find a peaceful solution Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loburt Posted July 27, 2008 Report Share Posted July 27, 2008 The police handled the situation in the manner that the government wanted them to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiaranM Posted July 27, 2008 Report Share Posted July 27, 2008 I think more like the leftist anytime you speak something different then they agree with. can someone translate this into english please !! :roll: :roll: :roll: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyboy Posted July 27, 2008 Report Share Posted July 27, 2008 I think more like the leftist anytime you speak something different then they agree with. can someone translate this into english please !! :roll: :roll: :roll: I was going to say the same thing but didn't want to look like an idiot... :shock: I'm glad someone agrees... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_love_som_tam Posted July 27, 2008 Report Share Posted July 27, 2008 the problem with a improperly trained, prepared, and equiped police force is that eventually they will get pushed to far and MUST respond for their safety and the safety of the general public by showing that people can rely on that the government and it's law enforcement. If they do not the puplace will descend into anarchy because fear of reprisal from the government (fines, jail, a good ass whooping, etc) that keeps the fragile thing called soceity together. Although the police here are not as well trained as they should be, training, or the lack of training, had no bearing on their lack of response to the violence that occurred. They are controlled by the government and, therefore, took no action against the "pro-government" supporters that were inflicting the violence. Take LA where Gans outnumber police like 5-1 or some incredible number and fear of retribution is what keeps civil peace. How long before something can ignite the tempers on both sides and one of those sides is better armed! I presume that you are talking about "Gangs" when you say "Gans". Are you implying that because gang membership outnumber the amount of law enforcement officers in LA that the police agree to a civil peace with gang bangers? Gee, why are gang bangers getting sent to prison everyday for the criminal activities that they are involved in. Do you know any LAPD cops? Show them how you wrote that they do nothing because of a fear of retribution from the bangers. When you have your head surgically removed from your butt maybe, just maybe, you will see the light. :roll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loburt Posted July 27, 2008 Report Share Posted July 27, 2008 It is amazing how sadly incompetent the Thai police force is. No riot gear, no tear gas. Just push a little and they let rioters go through on to their attacks. It is huge shame for Thai police. Well, not that that is nothing new...meaning...som nam naa, This Is Thailand and so worth...Being a police should be honor to serve and protect people. Instead...well... Although the police here are not as well trained as they should be, training, or the lack of training, had no bearing on their lack of response to the violence that occurred. They are controlled by the government and, therefore, took no action against the "pro-government" supporters that were inflicting the violence. I have to agree with i_love_som_tam - 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chatty Posted July 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 It is amazing how sadly incompetent the Thai police force is. No riot gear, no tear gas. Just push a little and they let rioters go through on to their attacks. It is huge shame for Thai police. Well, not that that is nothing new...meaning...som nam naa, This Is Thailand and so worth...Being a police should be honor to serve and protect people. Instead...well... Although the police here are not as well trained as they should be, training, or the lack of training, had no bearing on their lack of response to the violence that occurred. They are controlled by the government and, therefore, took no action against the "pro-government" supporters that were inflicting the violence. I have to agree with i_love_som_tam - 100%. Big shot police man in Udontani, I couldn't remember his name.... he's a friend of Khwanchai Praipana, the leader of Gov. supporters. Besides, Khwanchai Pripana works for government in the secretary office, his salary is 27,xxx baht. So I think before training police man to against any mob, better train about moral first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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