RAWBangkok

From today’s Bangkok Post comes this short report:

Deputy police commissioner-general Jongrak Chuthanont said the police will take action against the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters who hurled eggs in front of Government House on Wednesday.

Pol Gen Jongrak said such act is considered an offence against life and body under Criminal Code 295. He said wrongdoers may face up to two years in prison or a fine of no more than 4,000 baht.

Offenders would still be penalised for attempting to harm others even if the eggs fail to hit the mark, he noted.

The deputy police chief called on the demonstrators to gather in peace and without arms.

Pol Gen Jongrak said he ordered Dusit police to interrogate witnesses and gather more evidence to deal with the offenders.

I believe that the police should press charges against these people.

But I can’t help looking at this short article in jaw-dropping amazement when I reflect on the actions of the PAD — most of it captured on video — which resulted in no prosecutions that I am aware of.

What actions am I talking about?

• Taking over Government House and refusing to vacate when ordered to do so by the courts.
• Making, carrying and hurling homemade bombs.
• Firing handguns on several occasions, but notably at police officers attempting to enforce the law.
• Shutting down Bangkok’s two airports, as well as several regional airports, effectively laying waste to Thailand’s tourism industry.

I’m sure there’s plenty more, but that short list should do for the purposes of comparison.

On the one hand we’ve got the PAD with guns, bombs, defiance of the courts and economic terrorism getting off scott-free.

On the other hand we’ve got egg-throwers being pursued by police.

By all means, find and charge the red-shirted egg-throwers.

But as long as the yellow-shirted thugs can act with impunity Thailand is safe from any possibility of advancing politically.

To get an idea about the direction that Thailand actually is heading politically you can read this very short blog at the Bangkok Pundit Blog.