Koh Tao dashes reform hope
I’m surprised at the lack of reaction in the Bangkok Post regarding the Koh Tao murder verdict; social media is awash with outrage. Clearly, though not unexpectedly, this whole trial was a farcical charade from day one, paraded before the world to accentuate our ineptitude in achieving justice.
That the courts supported the prosecution’s flimsy assertions, without any credible proof other than an unsubstantiated DNA test, confirms that guilt in this country is too often a foregone conclusion, determined by investigators serving money and mafia, in spite of the obvious contrary evidence.
While the courts have difficulty even bringing to trial a wealthy drunken driver who mowed down a police officer with his Ferrari, they quickly dish out a death sentence to "nobodies" through a very dubious trial. What hope do we have to reform our country when the legal process is so undermined by callous disregard for equality and accountability?
Andrew
A travesty of justice
I fully respect the Samui court's sentencing the two Myanmar defendants to death in the rape/murder of two British backpackers. But has justice really been done?
The court relied heavily on DNA evidence, saying that the semen of both men was found inside Hannah Witheridge. But the police lab doing the analysis was not certified to meet the ISO relating to DNA analysis -- so how can we be certain beyond reasonable doubt that its work was reliable? Also, did lack of expertise cause the analysis to be completed in an impossibly rapid period? Lastly, the lab did not keep professionally required records which might have permitted the defence to disprove the results.
Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, director-general of the Central Institute of Forensic Science at the Ministry of Justice, and our most-respected forensics expert, testified that contrary to the prosecution, the alleged murder weapon did not contain DNA from the suspects.
The court also relied on the defendants' "confessions". But both "confessions" were inadmissible in court because the suspects had not been informed of their right to legal counsel, as required by Thai Criminal Code 134/4. How can inadmissible evidence be used in court?
The defence should have emphasised all of the above to the court. Perhaps they didn't realise that Thailand's image as a place where we have rule of law is best preserved when justice is seen to be done in each individual case. The defendants might well be guilty -- but not on the evidence presented.
Burin Kantabutra
Verdict no reason to be proud
A scan of the major international news websites plus copies of locally obtained international newspapers reporting on the Koh Tao murder verdict all list these problems with the case: inconclusive DNA matches and evidence, a botched investigation, a police force known to torture suspects for confessions, interference from the prime minister and the fact that the outcome was predictable.
There are too many other things to list. So, Thailand, what have you got to say for yourself?
Are you all so proud of the verdict to protect the almighty tourist dollar? Is your tourist industry really worth two perhaps innocent lives?
David James Wong
The perfect holiday gift
Seeing the front-page list of “Prayut’s gifts” to the people (BP, Dec 25) just a day after the article updating us on the condition of Thailand’s notorious aircraft-carrier-without-planes, inspires me to suggest one additional gift the government might consider providing the Thai people this holiday season.
Since the Chakri Naruebet is essentially useless to Thailand, how about selling off the carrier and providing a one-time cash rebate to all Thais?
Considering the carrier is virtually unused, has presumably been well maintained and is now replete with a costly facelift, government negotiators should hopefully be able to sell the ship for at least the original sticker price of 7.1 billion baht.
Each Thai household of four would therefore get a cash credit of nearly 500 baht. Not a huge amount, but perhaps enough to bring a bit more happiness to the people, especially to the country’s poorest households.
Samanea Saman
Bad people, not bad policy
Re: "Migrants pay the price" (PostBag, Dec 25).
Vint Chavala claims the effects of the increased minimum wage were "horrific beyond belief". He then goes on to claim this is the main factor in creating situations where migrant workers are abused and in many cases enslaved.
It was not bad government policy that enslaved these poor folks, Mr Chavala, it was bad people -- corrupt, evil people who live and work in this country, and operate with no regard for the people they abuse. Many countries increase their minimum wage regularly without turning into centres for human trafficking. It’s not the policy, it’s the people.
Joseph BowmanNakhon Pathom
The 'wrong' kind of Asian
At the airport here, it's a regular sight to see Asian people from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India being mistreated. This also happens in Bangkok, where some entertainment venues refuse to admit people from these countries.
The other day I saw check-in staff at the airport talking rudely to an elegant and educated old couple. The gentleman talking to the staff member was very polite. He later told me that he's travelled the world and never seen such a bad attitude before. The authorities in the land of smiles must stop this behaviour. They should also ban the entertainment venues who discriminate.
D Kedia
