When Tu meets Tu: not a love story
The 31 August no-confidence debate saw a war of words between General Prayut Chan-o-cha (nicknamed Tu) and Thai Liberal Party’s Police General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves (also nicknamed Tu). These are the choicest quotes from General Prayut in replying to Police General Sereepisuth’s accusation of his alleged corruption, dishonesty, incompetence, lack ofContinue Reading
#5เดนนรก: The five from hell
On 16 April 2021, an 18-year-old girl was lured by a girlfriend to be gang-raped by one adult and three teenage boys. On 28 August, the incident was exposed on Clubhouse. On 29 August, Police Colonel Thamrong Jikitsilapin of Mae Wong District, Nakorn Sawan Province, told the media a fullContinue Reading
Nausea and corruption in Siam-land
He’s stripped of his rank, so we shall call Thitisant Uttanapol by his other nickname, Joe Ferrari. Joe Ferrari phoned into the police press conference last night and it became a heartfelt episode of: “Thank you, boss, for this personal platform to make excuses to the public.” He admitted whatContinue Reading
Thailand’s love affair with extrajudicial killing
The words “extrajudicial killing” often appear in news headlines, and we, the people, shrug, “Mai pen rai.” In other words, we are fine with it. Thaksin Shinawatra’s 2003 “War on Drugs” greenlit the extrajudicial killing of suspected drug dealers. According to Human Rights Watch, “some 2,800” people were killed, andContinue Reading
A very sad Siamese tale
When the police are caught on CCTV killing a suspect inside the Nakorn Sawan police station, who do you call? Who do you call when the police superintendent and a group of officers put a bag over the head of a handcuffed, suspected drug seller, extorting him for two millionContinue Reading
The Kingdom of Kakistocracy
Kakistocracy is a government system run by the most unscrupulous people. It is derived from two Greek words, kakistos (worst) and kratos (rule). How do unscrupulous people come into power? By unscrupulous means. For example, the use of physical force, as in the 2014 military coup. How do unscrupulous peopleContinue Reading
The increasing anti-monarchy sentiment
If you follow the top trending hashtags, it seems anti-monarchy sentiment is everywhere. Nonetheless, the pro-monarchy sentiment continues. Last week, in a video interview with Vogue Thailand regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Princess Sirivannavari expressed her concerns for the well-being of the Thai people and gave the people encouragement. She alsoContinue Reading
What young people learn from teachers, adults, and generals
Regarding youths clashing with the police at political protests, on 17 August, General Prayut Chan-o-cha said: “เรียนมายังไง ใช้แต่ความรุนแรง ท้าตีท้าต่อยตำรวจ พอใช้กฎหมายก็โวยวาย” “Is this what you learn in school? You use only violence. Challenge the police to fights. When the law is used, you complain.” The general is correct. This is exactlyContinue Reading
The way of the guns
General Prayut Chan-o-cha came to power by the barrel of the gun. He maintains his power through the barrel of the gun. The constitution was written under the military dictatorship. The 250 senators were appointed by the military junta. Palang Pracharat Party was formed by General Prawit Wongsuwan. Hence, hisContinue Reading
Who do you blame?
“His friend shared a clip with me. But I didn’t know it was my son. I didn’t think it was until I saw it on the news elsewhere. I really didn’t think it was my son.” “He’s only 15. He’s only 15, and he has to face this.” These wereContinue Reading