Connecting the Dots

It is becoming increasingly clear that the division in Thailand is starting to subdivide. The people in trouble for one thing or another appear now to be moving away from the convicted fugitive Thaksin, and it is starting to look like every man for himself.

Looking at the types of reconciliation options on the table, the one that seems to be getting the most mileage is the forgiveness idea. Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart seems to be pushing that plan and it is well taken by the people in trouble. However Prime Minister Abhisit is adamant that the courts are the proper tool and that all in trouble have their day in court.

But as it would appear, and not unexpected at all there is no true loyalty to a person, but only to their money and working at getting some of it for themselves. Because of that and the situation coming more into focus each day, Thaksin Shinawatra is being left to fight his own battle. With each passing day it also becomes more clear that there will not be early elections thanks more or less to the bombs in Bangkok. That also spells Abhisit will still be in power this time next year (unless assassinated), and many cases will be well into the courts by then. That will happen long before Thaksin even thinks of coming back to Thailand.

It is also becoming clear that the people who associate with Thaksin will simply have a harder go at getting themselves off the hook. So the idea of getting themselves off the hook is much more important than getting Thaksin off the hook, they are slowly parting ways with Thaksin, at least for the moment. The reason for the slowness is the uncertainty of how things will play out.

The apparent emerging driving force between the division is now wanting to circumvent justice to get off the hook. But justice must be served to break the cycle Thailand has found itself in. The entire reason for punishment is to end undesirable behavior. So to put this in the simplest of terms, the bad boys do not want to change, nor be punished. In that case it becomes justice verses crime.

There also seems to be some whining starting too as the Viktor Bout decision has properly put a damper on pulling things out of the court.  On October 4, 2010 the court has properly decided that only judges can remove or otherwise deal with things accepted by the court. So seeing a ‘It isn’t fair’ request from the Red Shirt lawyers was laughably predictable as being let off the hook is no longer in the hands of politicians.

Quoting the Bangkok Post;

UDD: Withdraw terror cases

A lawyer for the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship on Monday October 4, 2010 petitioned the Criminal Court to withdraw its terrorism case against 19 UDD leaders and supporters and start over again with a new justice process.

Karom Ponthaklong, the lawyer, said the 19 defendants did not receive justice during the investigation.

The case was filed by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) with the prosecutors handling special cases charging the 19 with terrorism, illegal assembly, and causing armed unrest.  The 19 were indicted with the Criminal Court on Aug 11.

The court accepted the petition and scheduled a ruling for December 27.

The 19 defendants indicted with the Criminal Court are Veera Musikhapong, Jatuporn Prompan, Nathawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Korkaew Pikulthong, Kwanchai Sarakham, Yosawaris Chuklom, Nisit Sinthuprai, Karun Hosakul, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Phumkitti or Pichet Suchindathong, Suksek Poltue, Jaran Loypoon, Amnat Inthachote, Chayut Laicharoen, Sombat Makthong, Yongyuth Thuammee, Rachata Wongyod, and Surachai Thewarat.

So as this new ruling by the court has seriously damaged if not stopped political intervention of forgiveness, this may qualify for popcorn, but not just yet. This is more like a rat trapped in a box with a cobra, and Connecting the Dots does not have a category for that just yet. But none the less, it should be interesting.