Making martyrs

re: "Treat activist professionally" (BP, Editorial, March 4, 2021)

 
Dear editor,

While the Bangkok Post's editor is certainly right that "the case against Chai-amorn must be handled with the highest degree of professionalism, and forethought," mere professionalism sets an important but low standard. The most abusive, morally rotten of tin pot dictators can act with professionalism. Indeed, professionalism, sticking to the letter of the law, worsens the harm committed when the law itself has been corrupted to become a tool of repression wielded against those deemed enemies by that same law. That concentration camp guards act with a perfection of professionalism in following the law cannot render just the injustice of locking people up merely for the crime of having a particular skin colour, of being from a particular ethnic group, of holding a particular religious faith, or of professing a particular political opinion. An abundance of professional legalism, essential though it be to a just society, is no substitute for actual justice.

Again, the Post's editor is right to point out its importance, but the sad reality is that it  already seems too late for Thai authorities acting in the name of Thai institutions "to show the public they will adhere to a sensible application of the law." A sensible application of Thailand's morally problematic lese majeste law would have meant that not a single protestor had been charged over the course of the past 12 months. That sensible application of the law was rejected in favour of intimidating those seeking justice and peaceful democratic reform for the Thai people.

Finally, that Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan has already confessed to having broken the lese majeste  law in the name of justice for the Thai nation proves him likely guilty of that crime. Yes, he would seem to be guilty as confessed. And yes, it is a crime, meaning precisely and only that the law says it's a crime. His confession also proves him an example of moral excellence the like of which the Thai nation rarely sees. Who else, save perhaps the other young victims being persecuted by its use by state institutions of the same morally problematic law, exhibits such moral excellence? Mr. Chai-amorn Kaewwiboonpan is an example of moral courage for a just cause for the sake of his nation. How many citizens of the Thai nation, save his fellow protestors similarly charged, can compare with him in righteousness or in selfless patriotism?

By sacrificing them on its altar to the sacred, this law is making martyrs of good Thai citizens.

 Felix Qui
 

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The above letter to the editor is the text as submitted by Felix Qui to the Bangkok Post.

 
The text as edited was published in PostBag on March 6, 2021, under the title "Making martyrs" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2079259/suppression-doomed