Prime ministers, murderers and Judy Garland

Published: 13 Dec 2012 at 09.21
Online news: Opinion

During the London G-20 summit protests in 2009, Ian Tomlinson, an English newspaper vendor, an innocent bystander, was caught up in a melee and later died from internal injuries. Constable Simon Harwood was charged with manslaughter, but found not guilty.

I am certain that Tarit Pengdit, chief of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), would agree with me that the person who should have been charged instead of, or as well as, the police constable was former UK prime minister Gordon Brown. After all, the DSI chief found it fit to charge former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva with the death of an innocent bystander, not a protester, during the political violence in April and May 2010.

Of course, I realise that if you are a Thaksinista, then Thaksin Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai Party and the red-shirt UDD is the holy trinity - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost - while the opposition is Satan incarnate. But let's try to view the issue objectively, even if it's difficult or downright impossible.

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bew
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Discussion 10 : 13 Dec 2012 at 15.0910
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All those involved in killing need to stand trial. All yellow shirt leaders who seized the airport should stand trial. All red mobs who attempt Abhisit's life in 2009 riot also need to stand trial. I've never forget the clip showing the red mod tried to destroy the Mecedes car that they suspected that Abhisit may be inside. The soldier who kill a reporter during the 2006 coup should stand trial. Don't forget who kill Seh Daeng. The sniper need to stand trial. If all mysterious cases are solved, all political problems will peter out. Thai politics will be more stable.
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banmebkk
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Discussion 9 : 13 Dec 2012 at 14.539
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Well written, checkmate Thaksin.
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bkksim
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Discussion 8 : 13 Dec 2012 at 14.508
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This article is just what I have been thinking.
But it is a dream to think that any of the things in the article will even be disscussed let alone acted upon.

The people in charge have to protect their own.
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bikeme
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Discussion 7 : 13 Dec 2012 at 14.477
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Truly a masterpiece of truthfulness and thoughtfulness. Hopefully all who read this will have their eyes opened and their minds opened, for there is no truer assessment of the situation. What a wonderful country this would be if Thai politicians had even half the insight of Khun Voranai.
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wandee
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Discussion 6 : 13 Dec 2012 at 14.406
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First of all Gordon Brown was not in charge of the police operation when Mr. Tomlinson was assaulted. Second observation, Somchai Wongsawat was not in charge of the police operations when Government House was occupied by the yellow shirts. Mr. Brown and Mr Somchai Wongsawat did not give direct orders to the police how to deal with the protestors and left it to the police to use force granted within the law to deal with it. In Mr Tomlinson case the police officer was cleared by a jury because vital evidence was withheld at his trial which would have convicted him if being produced in court at that time. When this evidence came to light he was
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soltair
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Discussion 5 : 13 Dec 2012 at 14.065
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As clear as can be, it's never too late to start to do the right thing, there is no other way.
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Mi1231
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Discussion 4 : 13 Dec 2012 at 13.534
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As one who roots for Pheu Thai and Red Shirts in their quest for greater equality and democarcy, I still say that one line is true: If Abhisit stays and faces the charges and accepts the penalty, then "he would at least prove that he's more of a man than Thaksin ever was."
Thaksin should return to Thailand and face the charges, whether just or not. However, I think his opponents are more scared of his return than Thaksin is of serving his jail sentence.
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joninnak
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Discussion 3 : 13 Dec 2012 at 13.513
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Very Very well said. In all fairness how can anyone dispute this
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Eric
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Discussion 2 : 13 Dec 2012 at 13.442
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The coup and previous governments did tried to bring charges to Taksin war on drugs and PAD deaths during Somchai tenure. Foolish to think that previous governments will not seized this golden opportunity to nail their enemies away. Simply, they could not find anything that we directly linked to the deaths. Ahbisit really was naive or being coerced to sign a document authorizing military intervention and live ammo. That is a direct piece of incriminating evidence which Im sure he regret now.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 1 : 13 Dec 2012 at 13.371
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Finally, a voice of reason. Laws apply to everyone, regardless of who they are or who their relatives are.
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