THAILAND: National reconciliation and reform: all talk and no action
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.
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There is no dispute that
There is no dispute that Thailand must move beyond violence and work toward reconciliation.
Yes but Abhisit and Korn have been to Oxford...
Definition of RECONCILE
transitive verb
...whereas ordinary people think of reconciliation as in 1 or 2 above, the likes of Abhisit and Korn have been accustomed to people and accounts becoming reconciled according to their wishes, as in 3 and 4 above, for centuries.
I suppose I ought to use an
I suppose I ought to use an Oxford dictionary definition when tarring a couple of Oxonians...
verb
[with object]
the king and the archbishop were publicly reconciled;
she wanted to be reconciled with her father
advice on how to reconcile the conflict
the agreement had to be reconciled with the city's new international relations policy
he was reconciled to leaving
it is not necessary to reconcile the cost accounts to the financial accounts
...someone told us that all
...someone told us that all we had to do was "shake a tree and musicians would fall out like fruit"...
PPT reminds that 2 long years
PPT reminds that 2 long years have passed for Darunee behind bars and exhorts us all to raise our voices in protestation of that ongoing injustice...
John Francis Lee
246/3 Thanon Kaew Wai
Mueang Chiangrai TH 57000
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva
Government House
Bangkok TH 10300
Dear Prime Minister Abhisit,
I read that the anniversary of the sentencing of Darunee Charnchoensilpakul has come and gone; that she has been in prison now for two full years already.
You know as well as any of us that Darunee Charnchoensilpakul's crime is a political one.
Nowhere else in the world would a person be subjected to a secret trial and shunted off to prison for eighteen years - nearly two full decades - for political speech. (I suppose it might happen in North Korea, but do you and does Thailand really want to be numbered among such dictators and dictatorships?)
The mock trial and imprisonment of Darunee Charnchoensilpakul is a great disgrace to Thailand and to HM King Bhumipol Adulyadej personally, who publicly complained on the occasion of his birthday in 2005 that his humanity was diminished by those who, pretending to defend him, in fact use him as a tool, as an inanimate weapon like a stone in a sling, with which to smite their political opponents.
It is time for you and for your government to do the right thing with respect to your opposition of every stripe; for Darunee Charnchoensilpakul to be released, and for Thailand's rehabilitation in the eyes of the world to begin.
We are all, lovers of Thailand both within and without, waiting for a new spirit of tolerance and unity in Thailand beginning with Darunee, subjected to two full years' imprisonment for remarks that you well know would be regarded as protected speech in countries that value liberty around the world, in the country of your birth for example.
Please delay no longer, Mr. Prime Minister, and, for the sake of Thailand and its reputation if for no other, see to it that Darunee Charnchoensilpakul is in fact released forthwith.
Sincerely,
John Francis Lee
This woman is a true
This woman is a true Buddhist. She speaks the truth as she knows it and, with good intentions, tries to better the world and The Kingdom of Thailand.
The King is falsely used by the wielders of corruption to snuff her out.
They keep the Defender of Buddhism behind a wall!
Where is her freedom of religion?
Why can she persecuted in a 'Buddhist' Nation, for carrying on the precepts of Buddhism?
More and more and more Thais are realising the Red and Yellow Gangs, fighting to get the seats of bribery and corruption are the whole cause of the problems.
There is NO anti monarchy movement in Thailand, a few Pridi Commies maybe. There is just a big PRO-corruption movement, bullies in the play ground that are killing Thailand and anybody who wants to shine the spotlight on them.
reformation aimed at getting
reformation aimed at getting back to ABnormal is not working, will not work, TRANSformation would!
PM Abhisit’s intentions are great, however the strategies are falling short. If the reds OR yellows win, Thailand will lose. The next elections appear like a 'fuse'; set to ignite the Kingdom, yet again.
I hope to see a new Group, called the Silver Group or White Shirts, which would be NOTHING like the Reds or Yellows and NOT like any political party. Forming the Silver Group is one, first step, in The Joseph Plan. The Silver Group would gain great Prestige in all of Thailand and be safe from attack.
The Joseph Solution embodies my original concepts for Remedies and has been altered and modified by discussions with many great Thais. It is a Made in Canada and Made in Thailand recipe for success that includes; 1. a remarkable system of Democracy, 2. fair elections, 3. stable 4 year Terms of office, 4. greatly reduced political Corruption, 5. greatly increased Prosperity and 6. a working partnership for Governance with the Royal Family and the Elected Members of the House.
On Point 6., for Thailand to have a Golden, Stable, Peaceful and Prosperous future, with greatly reduced Corruption, She will have to have a defined and codified Role for the Royal Family, working in harmony with elected officials. Just from a logical point of view, the only 4 existing 'options' are as follows. [I will start with the 2nd best Option and end with the Best.]
If a better Solution cannot
If a better Solution cannot be arrived at, the 2nd best option would be to return to the pre 1930's Institution of Absolute Monarchy. *Please, understand I say this in relation to other options and it is not my 'first' choice.* Even though there are several problems with Absolute power, it would better than what, presently, exists. 90% of Thais would 'accept' this option. Legally the abdication by King Prajadhipok should be annulled anyway. It was made under duress and threat, with the aid of Foreign influences. In His wisdom, King Prajadhipok instituted a 'Subject to' clause before abdicating, that Power would not be turned over to corrupted individuals. As Corruption has reigned for 80 years, the abdication is, in a sense, invalid on 3 points, 1. it was Forced, 2. it never completed the Agreement to establish Stable and Peaceful Democracy, which was a 'condition' of Rama VII and 3. there were Foreign influences. [The Khana Ratsadon, by the way, missed the opportunity to work 'with' a great King, who was a gentleman and a British Officer! He had written essays on Representational Democracy that were better than the KR 'ideas', fighting among themselves, Marxist loving Communist, Pridi, and Mussolini loving Fascist, Plaek.]
Of the next 2 options, I do not know which is the worst. A POLL of millions of Thais, using all of the computers, giving all 4 options, would determine the correct order of preference. One of them is too risky to even mention. Any corrupt person who is worried about someone trying end corruption would 'take any mention out of context' for a slanderous attack. Let's put it this way; while Pridi and Plaek, in their different misguided ways, were both anti Monarchists, I believe a REAL poll of Thais would reveal the vast majority of Thais are very supportive of a strong and established Royal Family. Of course, as you all know, this is because Thailand has been Blessed with a great King. He and His advisors have re-established the Monarchy as an Institution of Respect. Many Thais who want good and honest changes for Thailand get wrongly accused of being anti Monarchy. [The Privy Council even issued Warnings to not use the King's name for false accusations, but it continued.] The very small per cent of Thais who opine for an end of the Monarchy have not calculated how disastrous this 'notion' would be politically and culturally.
A 3rd option would be to
A 3rd option would be to retain the present Constitutional system. How well has that worked, though? Thailand has been gifted with a King whose life has been an example of human dignity, an example to Thais and any Citizen of the World. Even with the limited powers the Constitution affords, He has still been able to exhibit Authority that steadied a rocking boat. [The removal of the Guiding Hands of influence was the worst thing the KR did to Thailand.] Even a Divinely appointed Successor would have the same road blocks and constraints that the Constitution put in Rama IX's path. Both King Prajadhipok and King Bhumidol were thwarted from offering Their talents and gifts to Their people.
The 4rth option would be a Divinely Inspired, Beneficent system of Monarchical Rule that would be the Chamber of sober, second thought for Elected Representatives. A Template and Code would be developed using the models and works of King Bhumidol, King Prajadhipok, King Mongkut and Others. Future Monarchs, Kings or Queens, and the Nation's Politicians would have a navigational chart to follow, based on the thoughts, services and acts of the Great Predecessors. Imbedded in The Joseph Solution are all of the processes and functions by which Thailand could be Governed with the Elected House and the Royal Institution acting as harmonious partners; something the KR should have considered!
This Message has, partially,
This Message has, partially, outlined one element of The Joseph Solution, defining the Open and Distinguished Role for the Monarchy. The other elements of The Joseph Solution would be detailed as The Joseph Plan unfolds.
The Joseph Solution has ‘features’ which are ‘agreeable to most segments of Thai Society. 1. The Royal Family would have increased and open authority with delegation to Senators so They would not be burdened with legislating and concentrate on Royal Functions. [King Bhumidol would not be entranced to be troubled with the process; more it would be like a pleasant surprise present, which He richly deserves, to see Peace in His Lifetime.] 2. Democrats would marvel at the political system which ensures fair representation and stable terms of office. 3. The Elite would enjoy the opportunity to be selected to the highly prestigious and functional Senate. [The only group which would not like The Joseph Solution would be the many in Power who enjoy wealth via corruption!]
The Joseph Plan starts with the formation of The Silver Group. It has to be made of People who are stronger and smarter than those in Power who run the Kingdom to feather their own nests. [The Joseph Plan has a ‘Formula’ for selecting Members which would be ‘acceptable’ to All Parties, which would be revealed as the process proceeds.]
The task of relieving the Corruption Bullies of Thailand of their influence seems insurmountable, to most Thais. However, the first action of The Silver Group would be a master stroke to begin to ‘begin’ to pull the rug out from under their feet.
As part of The Joseph Plan, The Silver Group would petition the Royal Family to conduct a Royal Commission to study The Joseph Solution. The Group would be under the protection of The Institution and building the Rightful and Proper place for The Royal Family in Governing ‘with’ the Elected House would build a hill the corrupt could not climb.
The way things are going, I can only see a very bleak future for Thailand, as a failed nation and even in danger of breaking up. The Joseph Solution and The Joseph Plan really DOES offer the only, possible, Measures and Remedies to fulfill Thailand’s great potential.
Thailand is SUPPOSED to be an Asian leader and model for the World!
Please, let us do this for King Bhumidol and all his People!
Sincerely,
Joseph
Is this a sick joke? (Its
Is this a sick joke?
(Its clear a big part of Thailands current troubles stem from an over reliance on the royal family)
I think the guy's for real. I
I think the guy's for real. I read another of his paeans to absolute monarchies somewhere else a few months ago and, noting that his ip address is on Vancouver Island, I imagine him to be one on whom the imperial sun has not yet set. Probably takes tea at the Empress Hotel, the last refuge of the British Empire. If it's still there :)
Hey, to each his own. I cannot imagine anyone... other than the entire present Regime in control of Thailand, all 100 or more of them... taking him seriously.
and I read somewhere you like
and I read somewhere you like little boys
you are a liar, I never hear, or anywhere else advocated Absolute Monarchy in The Joseph Solution.
i don't give 2 hoots where your IP is from, it's flaming brain that is detected.
Absolute Monarchy would be 'less' worse than the, present, Constitutional system, but NOT the best option.
My Posts are meant for those who care about the failed state of Thailand, it's possible break up, they are not meant for meddlers like you who 'think' they are humoress.
speak to the issues not the ones you 'invent',
or shut up
Thailand's future is at stake. What is coming will make Spring of 2010 look like a picnic. Without The Joseph Solution, Military rule, or AM are the only, bad, ways to keep it ABnormal.
I doubt I have ever read so
I doubt I have ever read so much nonsense in many a long year. Barely intelligible nonsense at that.
you should read it more
you should read it more carefully. I never said Thailand should rely too heavily on TRF. [thot only my ex, and Flamers, invented things i didn't say to disagree with them, her YOUR ideas!?]
A Major element of The Joseph Solution includes a form of democracy that takes some modelling from the oldest, most successful and long lasting democracy. pop quiz
Even the most 'perfect' democratic system would have to have safeguards against the 'tyranny of the majority'. In Thailand, the Royal Family is well suited to fill that role, or more succinctly, Their PARLIAMENT APPROVED Senators. Above, I clearly said, TRF would take care of Royal Functions, not Legislation. Their Senators would work WITH the elected Members.
My above Post, as I stated, if you had read, is only one, important, element in the overall architecture.
If this Site is only for Royal bashing, no wonder it will get shut down.
this was meant for Hobby- it
this was meant for Hobby- it is NO joke, it's the only way to stop the train wreck
>>
you should read it more carefully. I never said Thailand should rely too heavily on TRF. [thot only my ex, and Flamers, invented things i didn't say to disagree with them, her YOUR ideas!?]
A Major element of The Joseph Solution includes a form of democracy that takes some modelling from the oldest, most successful and long lasting democracy. pop quiz
Even the most 'perfect' democratic system would have to have safeguards against the 'tyranny of the majority'. In Thailand, the Royal Family is well suited to fill that role, or more succinctly, Their PARLIAMENT APPROVED Senators. Above, I clearly said, TRF would take care of Royal Functions, not Legislation. Their Senators would work WITH the elected Members.
My above Post, as I stated, if you had read, is only one, important, element in the overall architecture.
If this Site is only for Royal bashing, no wonder it will get shut down.
"The Joseph Plan starts with
"The Joseph Plan starts with the formation of The Silver Group. It has to be made of People who are stronger and smarter than those in Power who run the Kingdom to feather their own nests"
Sorry, but to me that just sounds like the current system in Thailand - everyone feathering their nests (including the silver group), but its the silver group who are the final arbiters, and all they ever need to do is accuse the politicians of feathering their own nests.
Sound familiar?
(it also sounds like Plato's philosopher kings concept - a system that has to be built on a noble lie - what happens when people wake up to that lie?)
I appreciate your efforts in trying to come up with solutions, but in my view Thailand should try democracy first (I mean really try it, with no silver groups interferring)
Sorry, but to me that just
Sorry, but to me that just sounds like the current system in Thailand -
To me too... and step two is absolute monarchy.
Remember when Brer Rabbit, stuck to the Tar Baby, had finally fallen int the hands of Brer Fox... Brer Fox couldn't decide how best to finish off his nemesis. Brer Rabbit trie to help him out :
So Brer Fox flung Brer Rabbit just as hard as he could out over and into the Briar Patch... then listened... hoping to hear the last tortured last gasps of Brer Rabbit rise up out of the briars. He heard instead:
And so it seems to me with this plan. Whose author's first resort is to call its critics homosexual pedophiles in its defense.
ooops hope this ends that
ooops hope this ends that bolding.
try again
try again