Organization: Central Michigan University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Wed, 23 Dec 1992 20:31:20 EST
From:         Elliott Parker <3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject:      TH: Delimilitarisation (column)

=======================  Forwarded  Message  ===========================
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 01:33:31+0700
From: Kamol Hengkietisak <kamol@ipied.tu.ac.th>



By Gap (Bangkok Post columnist pen-name)

IT has been a momentous year for the Kingdom of Thailand. It has been
a year in which the past and future collided with frightening results.

At this time of universal celebration, let us first remember and
honour those whose lives were snatched away during the tragic events
of May. And those loved ones they left behind.

We are such a forgiving society. But forgiving should not turn into
forgetfulness.

Consider these extracts from the report by Physicians for Human Rights
and Asia Watch on the "Excessive Use of Lethal Force in Bangkok -- The
Events of May 17-20, 1992":

"Video footage clearly shows many soldiers taking deliberate aim and
shooting parallel to the ground at demonstrators, some of whom are
seen falling to the ground. One segment of video, taken from behind a
soldier, shows him shooting his M-16 at a person walking alone
approximately 20 metres away. The victim then falls to the ground. The
demonstrators were forced to retreat, carrying some of the injured
with them.

"... Media personnel present on both sides of the conflict were also
forced to retreat. At 10:50 p.m., a reporter of Dok Bia newspaper was
shot in the head as he observed the incident on the third floor of the
Royal Hotel. A relentless thunder of automatic weapons firing was
heard for at least twenty minutes. Several witeness told us that he
saw six people killed before he escaped to the Royal Hotel. He later
reported seeing about thirty bodies near the Public RFrotions
building. Many looked as thoug had gotten up to run and were shot in
the back.

"Between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., sporadic gunfire was heard as
troops cordoned off the area. Those who approached were fired upon
indiscriminately without any provocation. ...

"Chavalit Chongsuwan testified to the Law Society of Thailand that on
May 19, he and two friends, on their way home on a motorcycle, were
shot at by plainclothes police on their way home causing the vehicle
to tip over. Three plainclothes policemen beat him to the point of
unconsciousness. One used a metal pipe concealed in newspaper. ...

"The description of events in the previous chapter suggests that some
of the deaths that occurred on May 17-20, 1992 were deliberate
executions of demonstrators, in that security forces intentionally
took aim and shot to kill, and others were the result of unjustified
or excessive use of lethal force.  That observation is reinforced by
the physical evidence -- autopsy and injury reports -- and an analysis
of the circumstances cited by the military to justify its decision to
open fire."

Of course this is all history now. Thai history. Which means that it
will be recorded not as fact but as acceptable fact as seen through
establishment eyes.

The generals and air chief marshals involved no longer have their
titles but what else has chan?       V/H.]Z6l exert power, they still
collect their salaries from us taxpayers, they are still courted by
unscrupulous businessmen, albeit somewhat less conspicuously. They
still sing and dance the nights away as if May never happened. In fact
all the armed forces would like nothing better than for us all to
forget that May ever happened.

Will we forget?

The parents and friends of those killed or still listed as missing
will never forget. Some student organisations appear determined not to
let us forget. Some politicians are now encouraged to adopt an
anti-military stance even though to date this appears more rhetorical
than concrete.

The defence budget continues to grow at a rate faster than that of
inflation.   The Royal Thai Navy has a helicopter carrier on order so
now we had better buy some helicopters to go with it.

And most recently, there have been veiled warnings from supposedly
moderate military commanders about not attacking military pride and
prestige "too much."

So where does the Kingdom go from here?

In May, the military's code name for the operation to quell the
demonstrators was Pairee Pinaat or "Destroy the Enemy." Clearly, there
was intent and purpose behind such a code name deserving of
punishment. But nothing has happened.

Perhaps the current government is too busy just surviving. There are
important steps that could make up an action agenda for the
demilitarisation in Thailand. The first first step should be a
systematic and planned long-term reduction in the defence budget. Less
money to play with means less incentives to join the armed
forces. The second and perhaps even more important step is to
abolish conscription or compulsory military service. An all-volunteer
armed force means a more democratic institution automa tically.

A third step would be to turn a volunteer armed force into an
extension of the country's education system whereby the
under-privileged and under-educated could continue their education,
especially in technical areas, at state expense and get paid at the
same time.

A fourth important step would be a National Weapons Control Centre in
which every weapon in the country, both military and civilian, would
be registered.  The establishment of such a centre should be
accompanied by a massive national campaign to rid the country of
illegal weapons supported by the payment of bounties and the public
destruction of all weapons turned in.

Such an agenda, if it was ever implemented, could go a long way to
launching the demilitarisation of Thai society. It is the sort of
clear-cut agenda that commands public attention and support. It is the
sort of agenda that is within the capabilities of the present
government to articulate.

How about a New Year's gift of peace and hope, Mr Prime Minister?
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