In the US, after Cohen was sentenced to just 47 months in jail, the lead prosecutor noted:
"If the failed war on drugs and the era of mass incarceration have taught us anything, it is that there are two tracks of justice: one for those who can afford expensive defence counsel and who can move heaven and earth to receive mercy, and one for everyone else."
Thailand, too, has two tracks of justice -- even under the reform junta. For example, this month, the Kanchanaburi provincial court sentenced an ethnic Karen to seven years and two months in jail for shooting a bearcat in Sai Yok National Park last October. From crime to jail in just six months.
Compare that with the case of Premchai Karnasuta, president of giant Italian-Thai Development Plc, caught red-handed next to a pot with a black leopard inside and guns nearby in Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary. The crime took place a year ago -- but, unlike with the humble Karen, there's no urgency in bringing the guilty to justice. There's still no verdict in sight, let alone jail for such a well-placed person.
As another example, when Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon flashed 21 ultra-expensive watches allegedly worth 36 million baht, good governance procedures required that the accused be moved to an inactive post, to prevent interference with the investigation. This was conspicuously not done. Also, the National Anti-Corruption Commission chief, appointed by the accused, should have recused himself from the probe, for the same reason. Again, this was conspicuously not done. No wonder that many believe that Deputy Prime Minister Prawit's case was white-washed.
Both Thaksin and his bitter opponents, the Palang Pracharath Party, allegedly reformists, follow double standards: Thaksin didn't contest that he'd illegally hid billions in assets in the names of his maid, driver, etc, while the Palang Pracharat didn't credibly investigate its own leaders. We voters should hold them accountable at this month's polls -- otherwise, we have only ourselves to blame.
Burin Kantabutra
Generals' skin too thin
Re: "Men in green take step too far", (Editorial, March 10).
The army chief is right to be concerned for the honour of himself and the army he leads. It is, however, less obvious that filing defamation suits alleging insults by civil politicians is the most effective way to protect and defend the honour of the Thai army and its officers. A sounder strategy might be to fight those battles that prove to the Thai nation that the Thai army is doing its duty to the nation, for which reason alone the Thai people maintain their army.
What, then, is the duty of the Thai army? The army's duty is to protect and defend the nation it serves. Section 1 of the Thai constitution is perfectly clear: "Thailand is one and indivisible Kingdom." It is the constitution of the Thai nation that founds the entity that is the Thai nation, along with every subordinate law and institution, including the monarchy, the army and the government of the Thai people, and it is the Thai people to whom the "Sovereign power belongs", as Section 3 of the constitution explicitly states.
A few blunt words from civil politicians cannot seriously tarnish its honour provided the army is loyally doing its duty to defend, protect and uphold the constitution whence derives not only Thailand's government, but all other Thai laws and institutions.
Felix Qui
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