No time to be neutral

EDITORIAL

Published: 24 Sep 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has staked out a breathtaking position on the controversy and violence surrounding a vile anti-Islamic video. According to the minister, he and the Thai government intend to be neutral.

True to his word, neither he nor any other minister has provided an opinion on the issue. Meanwhile, there have been indignant protests in at least 20 countries, including Thailand, and some have turned violent.

What is unclear and unsettling is just what Mr Surapong and the government are being neutral about. Neutrality denotes a non-judgemental position between two opposing sides or opinions. Mr Surapong has made Thailand the only country which has spoken out but expressed no view of the core cause of the protests in Thai cities, among others.

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faceless
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Discussion 12 : 25 Sep 2012 at 08.2012
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An unfortunately unbalanced editorial.

Surely most reasonable people having seen the ridiculous video in question would dismiss it out of hand, and the editor is on the right track to suggest that as an official position Surapong should should have condemned it.

But where is the balanced call for the government to stand up for the rights of the individual and those of the non-Muslim world subjected to violence in the name of religion. The editor ignores this and gives support to Muslim violence in the process.

A child was photographed at a violent demonstration in Sydney last week holding a sign reading, "Behead all non-Muslims" and being in turn photographed by his apparently proud mum.

This and the video need to be condemned, not one selectively, as clearly and loudly and convincingly as possible. Evil is evil, it doesn't respect religious or cultural boundaries, and it exists in all religions and societies because "good people do nothing" (Gandhi).
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jwatch
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Discussion 11 : 24 Sep 2012 at 16.0911
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true politicians ;)
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khunbj
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Discussion 10 : 24 Sep 2012 at 15.1610
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We care far too much about what muslims think, the fact is that they could not care less about other religions and do only reluctantly tolerate other beliefs ... a very telling quote from a Libyan freedom ? fighter leader is very honest : Sheik Mohammed Zahawi ""We don't believe in the democratic system because even those who live in such systems know it's a fake. We want to tell the world that the democratic project doesn't suit us and doesn't suit Islam,"..
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englishjon
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Discussion 9 : 24 Sep 2012 at 15.079
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"There also is no reason to refrain from strong criticism of Nakoula and his hate-filled video."

Barely a fraction of the hate I've been watching which is directed at the West in general by the protesting muslims.

It should all be condemned and also brought into perspective. The world keeps quiet because one wrong word means people die. The situation is slowly getting worse : one day it will reach a head.
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Ian
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Discussion 8 : 24 Sep 2012 at 13.118
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Disc 6. You might add that I saw no Buddhist riots when the Taliban destroyed the Buddha statues.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhas_of_Bamiyan
It seems that Moslems are the only people who can riot for religious reasons and the world accepts.
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Lazarisbk
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Discussion 7 : 24 Sep 2012 at 11.397
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"The root cause of the protests is an odious video clip placed on YouTube. It directly insults Muhammad, the prophet and founder of Islam, and does so in the most offensive manner".

This is a matter of opinion and depends what religion or ideaolgy one follows.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 6 : 24 Sep 2012 at 11.256
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I don't recall anyone rioting or killing people anywhere in the world after the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" came out. There is also a musical currently playing called "The Book of Mormon". Several French tourists were arrested recently in Thailand for objectionable photos involving a a centuries-old Buddha figure. Again no riots. I wonder why.
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bern1005
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Discussion 5 : 24 Sep 2012 at 11.195
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He should indeed have condemned the hateful video and also the violence, neutrality in this situation is cowardly and morally wrong.
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Eric
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Discussion 4 : 24 Sep 2012 at 11.124
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Thailand is not a nanny state and do not need to be spoon feed and be instructed on what we should view or not view. Society can choose to condemn or except the freedom of expression and made its own decision. We are not a super power and our stand will never affect the wider world, so why made an opinion that may upset our Muslim neighbors. Non of the ASEAN countries has issued any strong statement so staying tight lip and neutral is the best decision until this intense anger sizzle down and forgotten. The article is so wrong in its opinion.
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englishbob
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Discussion 3 : 24 Sep 2012 at 11.063
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He should have said....? He should have condemned the video?

Do you think he might also have condemned the murder and destruction by simple minded fools who allow themselves to be led by words written thousands of years ago?

Now THAT would have been a standpoint.
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No time to be neutral | Bangkok Post: opinion