absolutelyBangkok archive · Politics
Originally published Feb. 13, 2008
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 Oct. 6, 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?
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