Has The New Witch Hunt Just Started?!
In the first week of HE Samak Sundaravej being our new prime minister we were in for a big surprise – if not advice.
To this day we thought that the Thammasat University massacre of October 6th, 1976, ended the lives of dozens of students.
But we were all wrong.
HE Samak assured us as amicably as knowingly that only a single person got killed that day.
Shortly after, former Bangkok senator Chirmsak Pinthong had to give up hosting in his daily radio talk show “Chirmsak’s Views” on FM105 because he had criticized HE Samak for allegedly covering up the Thammasat University massacre.
As Chirmsak as well was wrong.
PM’s Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair, who eagerly supervises the Public Relations Department, had dutifully telephoned production house Fatima Co. to give notice that he might not extend its airtime contract, a company source was quoted by The Nation.
Because we were all wrong.
HE Samak’s refreshing openness and guidance has by now even inspired other world leaders. Such as President Bush and Germany’s Angela Merkel, who were – according to Not The Nation – “tired of apologizing for atrocities committed long ago” and have therefore “released statements downplaying their own nations’ tragedies.”
Astonishingly, even the Bangkok Post got it all wrong with its editorial Samak Shocks, Shames Nation.
Déjà vu?
Feels like … back then, during the reign of Thaksin Shinawatra, when the Post had reported the first cracks in the runways of brand spanking new Suvarnabhumi airport.
Cracks that got forcefully covered up.
As with the outbreak of the bird flu.
That got forcefully covered up.
As with the killing of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaichit.
That got covered up.
As with the strange bomb attack against former prime minister Thaksin during his last days at the helm.
That got kind of covered up.
As with the newspapers and journalists that … I am boring you.
HE Samak’s and Jakrapob Penkair’s rewriting of history may be courting more problems than it tries to avoid.
And this during the first week in power – when the groundwork for confidence-building and trust shall be laid.
We are still convinced though that the wisdom and visionary leadership promised by the new government will prevail.
For the betterment of society.
By the way: Ever wondered why there is no such thing as a male witch?
Four things strike me:
1) If there was only 1 dead, why erect a monument to that single casualty on Ratchadamnoen Avenue right opposite that so-called “Democracy Monument”? Was he really THAT important?
2) Jakrapob Penkair excelled not only as a government spokesman during the Thaksin administration but also as a fervent defender of democratic principles who – after the coup – was one of the ring leaders of a group that called itself “PAD” (People Against Dictatorship) and even had himself arrested for his patriotic views, which were most obviously displayed when he and his brethren tried to forcefully make their way into Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. It is soothing to know that such a capable and soothing character, who, notwithstanding the circumstances, is now in charge of the media. Thailand can sleep soundly, as it always has.
3) A man who is best known for his nose, his rather rightist leanings and his excellent cooking, and who has never – in line with Buddhist principles – held any grudge against anyone, now holds not only the prime ministership but also is the defense minister and is NOT a “puppet”; although he blatantly admitted it in the run-up to the election.
4) The so-called “Victory Monument” on the intersection of Rajavithi, Phayathai and Paholyothin roads inscribes the names of all those valiant, heroic Thai soldiers (about 284, 286? the correct figure eludes me at the moment) who died in servitude to defend their land against the Japanese invasion forces in 1941 – before the Thai government under esteemed prime minister, Field Marshal Plaek Pibilsongkhram announced a truth and alliance with exactly these invading forces. Victory Monument? Please give me a break.
A bigger surprise reached us from new Minister of Interior, the venerable and honorable Pol Cpt Chalerm Yubamrung. I have never understood why you would still address a person with a police rank, although they’ve left active duty about 200 years ago. Well, I guess it’s the “Col. Sanders” syndrome. Anyhow, I’ve also never understood how a police captain could amass such a large fortune on a monthly salary of hardly 20,000 baht. But it is good to know that he at least kept up to his word and didn’t secure any of his dreaded and feared and despised sons (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?) a much-needed, money- and face-generating position at his ministry. “No way,” he said, and smiled. “I’d like to apologize for my sons and I’d like to clear my name and that of my family.” The next day we read that he’s proposed his son to become a permanent secretary to WHAT ministry? Transportation and Communications? I can’t remember. The Ministry of Blatant Contempt and Ignorance? Yes, that might be it.
I got an English version of what happened on the October 6th, 1976. Here they are:
http://www.2519.net/autopage/show_page.php?t=4&s_id=2&d_id=2
http://www.2519.net/autopage/show_page.php?t=4&s_id=1&d_id=1
What Samak said in the interview is totally unacceptable. It is like he spat into the faces of the people who were murdered that day.
Machiavellism by the book.
Jakrapob accusing the old mysterious “invisible hand”, Chirmsak accusing Jakrapob.
Hardly a week under the new government we get the first full-blown censorship row.
Me wonders when newspapers such as the honorable Bangkok Post start self-censorship again.
Currently the Post is in amazingly good shape with biting, crispy editorials.
After years of serving wishy-washy pablum it’s a pleasure to read that paper again.
And lest not forget the real issue at stake: It’s not about Chirmsak or Jakrapob, but about HE Samak not being generous with the truth.
BangkokDan
Here’s Giles Ungpakorn on that 6th of October.
Thanks for the mention Bangkok Pundit!
BangkokDan
Thomas, your description of the background of Victory Monument is not accurate, but the truth is even more embarrassing. The monument commemorates the Thai military “victory” over the French colonial police in Indochina in late 1940/early ’41 which resulted in the Thai annexation of little bits of Lao and Cambodia. The Japanese intervened to stop the fight before the French could strike back as both Thailand and France were their nominal allies at the time. Thailand had to give back the seized territories to France after 1945. Sadly the monument does not commemorate Thai resistance to the Japanese, ‘cause there wasn’t any to speak of. Consult Wong’s “Public Monuments in 20th Century Thailand” for more detail.
Rob, thanks for your comments regarding the origin (and purpose) of Bangkok’s “Victory Monument.” I wasn’t aware of it as I’ve always only heard the story revolving around the Japanese invasion in late 1941. But if your version is true, I stand to be corrected. I know there were a number of squabbls between the Thais and the Indochinese French in that period including a famous naval battle off Koh Chang in 1940 or ’41, which the Thais, as usual, claimed to have won although several of their ships were sunk before the French forces retreated (probably because it was lunch time). Wasn’t there also an incident involving the attack of several French airplanes on Chantaburi province soemtime in 1940 which the Thais heroically beat back with a squadron of medieval biplanes or something? I only recalled that story of the Victory Monument from my memory based on what numerous Thai friends told me. Then mixed it with the fact that Thai forces held out against the Japanese for an amazing two and a half days before surrendering while their fashist government negotiated favourable terms and eventually allowed Japan unrestricted access to the country. The famous (infamous?) Thai diplomacy at its best. Bend if you must, but claim ultimate victory. So, yes, if I was wrong about the facts regarding the history of “Victory Monument,” I’d like to apologize and will try to re-educate (LOL) myself.
Rob, just reread your comment and I agree: The truth is even more embarrassing.