Injustice no laughing matter
Re: “‘Big Joke’ in surprise job shunting”, ( BP, April 7). We often hear Lord Chief Justice Hewart’s wise words: “It is not merely of some importance but is of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.” If we see justice done, all can be assured that we have rule of law, applied equally to all alike, regardless of station — and behave accordingly.
Yet two weeks have passed since Immigration Bureau head Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn, aka “Big Joke”, was transferred to an inactive post and out of the police force without warning — and we are none the wiser as to the reasons. Was he suspected of being corrupt — or did he step on some big but crooked toes, for example?
In another example of non-transparency, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, in charge of the police, was caught flashing 20 or so ultra-expensive watches allegedly worth over 30 million baht, creating “Rolex General” headlines worldwide. Why didn’t Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha follow normal practice and move him to an inactive post during the investigation, as was done later in Big Joke’s case?
Why didn’t the National Anti-Corruption Commission head, who had been appointed by Gen Prawit, recuse himself from heading the watch investigation to avoid the obvious possibility of conflict of interest? The NACC quickly accepted the accused’s word that the watches had been “lent” for years by a now-deceased classmate, and no evidence was made public.
I suggest that in both cases, justice has not been seen to be done. The Palang Pracharath, Future Forward, Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai and Democrat parties should say specifically how they will ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done in the above two cases if they come to power. We must not let Thai justice be a big joke.
Burin Kantabutra
THE LAW’S AN ASS
I am somewhat perplexed that there is a delay from the Constitutional Court regarding its interpretation of how the party-list seats should be distributed. If the organic law somehow differs from the constitution, then it is the constitution that must be strictly followed.
I am not a lawyer so would appreciate the legal eagle readers to correct my thinking on this.
Ron Herbert
TREATIES? WHAT TREATIES?
Re: “Extraditions are not about justice”, (Opinion, April 20).
Mr Sadoff is right that when extradition attempts fail, the person under indictment can be exterminated by other means. Unfortunately, he did not mention drastic and deadly action (mostly illegal under international laws) that a state can take, such as clandestine operations, including abduction and murder. The USA made many attempts to extradite Osama bin Laden but the several countries suspected of hiding him claimed that they did not know about his whereabouts.
Ultimately, bin Laden was found in Pakistan and killed by a US Seal team in 2011. Although illegal, the Seal team’s bold raid to take down bin Laden was an extraordinary operation which most legal experts, journalists, and media mavericks in the West regarded as a resounding success.
It is also clear that most of the authoritarian states do not really care about press freedom or international treaties.
In 2019 World Press Freedom Index, Thailand ranked 136 out of 180 countries. Singapore is ranked 151, and Brunei leads the pack (152/180) for lack of press freedom among its peers in the Asean. When it comes to press freedom, in most Asian countries, the extraditions and exterminations are not about justice.
Kuldeep Nagi
TAKING ASSANGE’S SIDE
I have mixed feelings about Julian Assange. I am aware that often the American government will use the word “classified” to cover up blunders and even atrocities, such as those committed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Mr Assange deserves credit for exposing that. On the other hand, if he doesn’t work for the Russians, how come the Russians only hacked into the Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails and not the Republican National Committee (RNC) emails — Mr Assange only published DNC emails. Coincidence? Maybe, but not likely.
But since the Americans want to try him for allegedly helping Chelsea Manning hack into government “classified” information, not for his interference in the US elections, I am reluctantly taking his side. The issue of press freedom is more important than whether or not I personally like Mr Assange.
Eric Bahrt
LETTERS GRASS IS GREENER IN CAMBODIA
A few more of my friends, both individuals and families, have packed up and picked up and moved to Cambodia after living in Thailand for between 15 to 30 years. The officers at the immigration bureau have become more overpowering, bureaucratic, and are becoming increasingly worse each year.
My friends have had enough. Cambodia makes them welcome, does not present obstacles in applying for residence, does not treat them like suspicious criminals every time they go to a Cambodian immigration office, they encounter no 90-day reporting hassles, and they find it a pleasure.
In major cities and large towns the streets are clean, rents are cheaper, and amenities are wonderful. Thailand’s loss is Cambodia’s gain.
Unwelcome Mango
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