Nach dem Putsch in Thailand

23.Mai 2014, Soldaten vor dem Denkmal der Demokratie in Bangkok.

To The English Version

Liebe Leser, 

aufgrund der aktuellen Situation in Thailand werde ich in meinem Blog vorübergehend  keine politischen Kommentare oder Aussagen über aktuelle oder künftige Entwicklungen mehr posten (da ich ansonsten die Sicherheit meiner Familie und meiner Freunde gefährde). Während der letzten Tage hat sich Thailand von einer Demokratie (mit all ihren Fehlern) in eine von einer Militärjunta regierten Diktatur gewandelt. Ich lebe bereits seit 12 Jahren in Thailand, aber noch nie haben wir so ein Klima der Angst, des Hasses und Unterdrückung wie zur Zeit erlebt, auch nicht nach dem Staatsstreich im Jahr 2006.

Die Anführer der Putschisten während einer Fersehansprache.

Der Text auf dem Bild hinter den Generälen lautet (Zitat aus einer Rede von König Rama V):
“ศักดิ์ศรีของทหาร
๑. ทหาร คือ ผู้ที่ได้รับเกียรติอย่างสูงจากประชาชนทั้งชาติ ให้เป็นสุภาพบุรุษ ถืออาวุธป้องกันประเทศ
๒. ทหาร เป็นผู้เสียสละประโยชน์สุขส่วนตัว เพื่อความผาสุกของประชาชนและความอยู่รอดของชาติ
๓. ทหาร คือ ผู้ที่รักและบูชาเกียรติยศมากกว่าเงิน”

[Deutsche Übersetzung von PWT (von mir überarbeitet):]
„Die Ehre der Soldaten:
Soldaten sind Personen, denen die Bevölkerung einer Nation die Ehre zuteil werden lässt, damit sie wie Gentlemen zu den Waffen greifen, um ihr Land zu verteidigen.
Soldaten sind Personen, die das Wohl der Bevölkerung und die Existenz der Nation über das eigene Wohl stellen.
Soldaten sind Personen, die die Ehre mehr als das Geld lieben und huldigen.“


Gestern, am 26.Mai 2014, ließ unser neuer "Führer" General Prayuth Chan-ocha verlautbaren, dass jeder (auch Ausländer und ausländische Medien), der die Junta und/oder deren Politik/oder Aktionen zu kritisieren wagt, vor ein Kriegsgericht gestellt wird. Anwälte sind vor diesen Militärgerichten nicht zugelassen und man hat auch nicht das Recht, sich vor den Richtern zu verteidigien. Das Strafmaß ist vergleichbar mit den Strafen für die Verletzung von Artikel 112 (Majestätsbeleidigung): 3 - 5 Jahre Haft für jedes einzelne Vergehen. 

Mehrere unserer thailändischen Kollegen und Freunde wurden bereits von der sogenannten Sicherheitskommission des Regimes einbestellt. Dort wurden sie eingeschüchtert und unmißverständlich aufgefordert, nicht mit (thailändischen und/oder ausländischen) Journalisten zu sprechen, die Junta zu kritisieren oder negative Nachrichten über das neue Regime zu veröffentlichen. Bei Zuwiderhandlung wird man (vom Militär oder der Polizei) verhaftet und in ein Internierungslager der Armee gesperrt. Die Armee hat bereits mehrfach nachts (während der Ausgangssperre) Razzien durchgeführt, darunter auch bei Freunden von uns. Diese Personen (oder besser: Opfer) wurden verhaftet und für 3 - 5 Tage eingesperrt, ihre Wohnungen durchsucht und Computer und andere Medien beschlagnahmt. Ausserdem forderte man sie auf, von nun an den Mund zu halten und sich nicht politisch zu betätigen oder zu äußern. Diese Straf-  bzw Maulkorbaktionen betreffen übrigens nahezu ausschließlich nur die Mitglieder der ehemaligen Regierung und deren Partei sowie die Anführer der Rothemden und die Anhänger der Rothemdenbewegung. 

_________________________________________________________________________________

National Peace and Order Maintenance Council Announcement No. 37/2557 [Unofficial translation]

National Peace and Order Maintenance Council (NPOMC) Announcement No. 37/2557 [2014] Offences Under the Power of the Military Court to Examine and Decide

The NPOMC therefore proclaims that all cases of wrongdoing specified below that are committed in the Kingdom and while this order is in force will be examined in military court.

1. Offences under the Criminal Code (1) Offences against the King, Queen, Heir-apparent or Regent, from Article 107 to Article 112 (2) Offences against the internal security of the kingdom, from Article 113 to 118, excluding offences that occur in areas in which the 2008 Internal Security Act is in Force or the 2005 Emergency Decree on Public Administration.

2. Offences against the announcements or orders of the National Peace and Order Maintenance Council.

This comes into force from now until there is a transformation.

25 May 2014
_________________________________________________________________________________

Versammlungen von mehr als 5 Personen sind strengstens verboten, dennoch protestieren (zur Zeit noch) jeden Tag Hunderte, manchmal Tausende von Menschen im ganzen Land gegen das diktatorische Regime. Deshalb ordnete die Junta am 26.Mai 2014 an, dass jeder, der an einem Protest gegen den Putsch teilnimmt, verhaftet und vor ein Kriegsgericht gestellt wird. Das gelte auch für Journalisten und Zuschauer (auch Ausländer)!

Wenn ihr euch zur Zeit in Thailand aufhaltet, seid bitte vorsichtig, wenn ihr während der Demonstrationen Aufnahmen macht. Vor drei Tagen (am 25.Mai 2014) wurden wir von einem Offizier der thailändischen Armee aufgefordert, alle Fotos, die wir mit unseren Kameras bzw. Smartphones während eines Protestes in der Nähe des Victory Monuments in Bangkok gemacht hatten, zu löschen. Sollten wir uns weigern, würde man unsere Kameras und Smartphones konfiszieren.

Wegen der oben genannten Gründe werde ich bei politischen Fotos/Blogposts bis auf Weiteres auf Kommentare oder Erklärungen verzichten. Ich denke, die Bilder sprechen für sich. Ort und Datum werden die einzigen Informationen sein, die ich in Zukunft noch angeben werde (bis sich die Situation zum Besseren gewendet hat)!
Ich danke euch für euer Verständnis und hoffe, dass wir uns in einem besseren Thailand wiedersehen.

Am Denkmal der Demokratie

2014.05.23 (Tag Eins nach dem Putsch)

Pathumwan, in der Nähe des MBK und BACC

(23.Mai 2014)

About the coup in Thailand

23. May 2014, Monument of Democracy, Bangkok

Dear readers,
because of the current situation in Thailand I will refrain from posting any political comments or statements about recent or upcoming developments for the time being (for the safety of my family and my friends). During the last days Thailand has changed from a democracy (with all it's flaws) into a dictatorial regime led by a military junta. I live in Thailand for 12 years by now but I never experienced such a climate of fear, hate and oppression like nowadays, not even after the coup in 2006.

the coup-leaders

The text in the picture behind the generals reads (quoting a speech of King Rama V):
“ศักดิ์ศรีของทหาร
๑. ทหาร คือ ผู้ที่ได้รับเกียรติอย่างสูงจากประชาชนทั้งชาติ ให้เป็นสุภาพบุรุษ ถืออาวุธป้องกันประเทศ
๒. ทหาร เป็นผู้เสียสละประโยชน์สุขส่วนตัว เพื่อความผาสุกของประชาชนและความอยู่รอดของชาติ
๓. ทหาร คือ ผู้ที่รักและบูชาเกียรติยศมากกว่าเงิน”

The honor of soldiers:
Soldiers are people, who are granted the honor by the people of a nation, to take up arms and defend their country like gentlemen.
Soldiers are people who care more for the welfare of the people and the presence of the nation as for their own welfare.
Soldiers are people who love and revere honor more than money.


Yesterday our new "leader" General Prayuth Chan-ocha declared that everyone (including foreigners and foreign media), who dare to criticize the junta and/or their politics/or actions will be court-martialled. You won't be allowed a lawyer or to defend yourself. The sentences would be comparable with the punishment under article 112 (lese majeste law): 3 - 5 years imprisonment for each offense.

Many of our dear Thai colleagues and friends have already been summoned to report to the regime and were threatened not to talk to (foreign) journalists or to criticize the junta or to publish any negative news about the new regime. If they do otherwise, they will be arrested by the military and detained in military prison camps. There had been already night raids by the army, friends got detained, their homes searched and computers and other media confiscated. See order 37 below.

_________________________________________________________________________________

National Peace and Order Maintenance Council Announcement No. 37/2557 [Unofficial translation]

National Peace and Order Maintenance Council (NPOMC) Announcement No. 37/2557 [2014] Offences Under the Power of the Military Court to Examine and Decide

The NPOMC therefore proclaims that all cases of wrongdoing specified below that are committed in the Kingdom and while this order is in force will be examined in military court.

1. Offences under the Criminal Code (1) Offences against the King, Queen, Heir-apparent or Regent, from Article 107 to Article 112 (2) Offences against the internal security of the kingdom, from Article 113 to 118, excluding offences that occur in areas in which the 2008 Internal Security Act is in Force or the 2005 Emergency Decree on Public Administration.

2. Offences against the announcements or orders of the National Peace and Order Maintenance Council.

This comes into force from now until there is a transformation.

25 May 2014
_________________________________________________________________________________



Also gatherings of more than 5 people are strictly forbidden but nevertheless hundreds, sometimes thousands of people protested all over the country against the dictatorial regime. Therefor the junta announced yesterday that everybody who takes part in a protest against the coup will be arrested and court-martialled. This applies to journalists and bystanders (foreigners also), too!

If you are in Thailand please be careful when you shoot pictures during demonstrations. Two days ago (25.05.2014) a military officer approached us near the victory monument in Bangkok and forced us to delete all images we've taken with our cameras and smartphones. If we would have dared to refuse, our cameras and phones would have been confiscated.

For all those reasons mentioned above I will post only images without comments or statements. I think the photos will speak for themselves.  Place and date will be the only information I will give (until the situation will change for the better)!

Thanx for your understanding and hope to see you soon in a better Thailand.

At the Monument of Democracy

23.05.2014 (one day after the coup)

At Pathumwan, near the MBK/BACC

23. May 2014 (evening)

Sad Times

ZUR DEUTSCHEN VERSION

In the last four weeks, since my last post, I didn't write anything about the political situation here in Thailand as there was not much to report except rumours. Not a day goes by without someone claiming to know what will happen in the near future (always relating to mysterious but well-informed sources). But the next day all these “facts” turned out just as gossip once again. Nowadays it is almost impossible to provide reliable information. However, three events in the last four weeks made me as well as very sad and very angry. 

Update of May 7 and 8: Yingluck and nine other cabinet members were found guilty of abuse of power and were removed from office by the Constitutional Court. They were accused of illegally  transferring Thawil Pliensri, head of national security, in 2011 (but several legal experts doubted the alleged illegitimacy of that move , they also questioned the courts authority to issue a verdict in this matter). On May 8 the NACC (National Anti-Corruption Commission) voted to indict Yingluck over a controversal rice pledging scheme.

Elisabetta Polenghi

On 29 April 2014 we received the news of Elisabetta Polenghis death. She was the sister of the Italian photographer Fabio Polenghi who was hit by a bullet during the crackdown on the red-shirt protests by the military on 19 May 2010. He died on the way to the hospital .
Nearly four years Isa fought for justice and tried to uncover the real circumstances of Fabio's death - and she also fought against a judiciary which was not really interested in a complete clarification of the events.

Learn more about this and about Elisabetta's last press conference at the FCCT ( May 29, 2013) at this link:

http://yanawa.blogspot.com/2013/05/press-conference-on-fabio-polenghis.html 

Elisabetta at the FCCT in May 2013.

On the passing of Elisabetta Polenghi (by Jeanne Hallacy)

Dear All,

I was deeply affected by this sad news and equally moved and unsurprised that Isa's battle with cancer was not known.

I had the honour to work closely with Isa over the years from the first day she arrived to Thailand and brought her to the place where Fabio was killed with photojournalist Masaru Goto who was with him when he was shot and took a risk to carry his body to the side of the road.

When Isa arrived to the spot where he fell, she ran her hands across the blackened blood stain on the road. No one spoke.
She then began a rapid fire of questions --hungry for every minute detail of the moments leading up to his death which Masaru recounted. Masaru spoke of how they lifted him on to the back of a motorbike when his helmet and camera fell to the ground. He was under fire at the time and did not pick up the camera. It disappeared. And was never seen again.

Isa questioned the origin of the shots, the position of high buildings, the direction he faced, the angle of the sun. What he shouted to Masaru as they ran down the street.

A group of young Thais were watching and asked why she was there. When they learned it was Fabio's sister, they asked her to wait there.

They walked up the silent, barricaded road to find motorbike taxis. Twenty minutes later, they came back with bundles of jasmine garlands and orchids. They requested translation to give Isa a garland and encircled the place where he had fallen and prayed.

Only at that moment, Isa silently wept. One of the young women took her hand and pressed it as she continued to pray.

Isa's foremost quest was to find Fabio's camera. We distributed flyers in Thai and posted online offering a reward with no questions asked for the return only of the memory card with his last images. Masaru and I brought her to police stations and arranged meetings with the hospital where he was taken, Kraisak Choonhavan and the investigative body charged with the report on the events.

Isa was determined to get the memory card. She said preserving his final photos was paramount above all else-that was his role for being there -and the most precious contribution of his life.
Days later, Masaru's apartment was ransacked; his laptop and cameras were stolen. His home was turned upside down.

Isa believed those responsible for the vandalism were ordered by powerful people who would go to any lengths to ensure the memory card would remain buried in a tomb of unearthed truth.

The pursuit of that truth became Isa's quest.

She used her every waking moment to meet with government officials, off the record behind the scenes, civil society groups, journalists who covered the events, diplomats -and brought his case to the attention of international organizations including the CPB.

Dozens of journalists, photographers and friends attended Fabio's funeral.

From her first visit, Isa requested a meeting with PM Abhisit. It would become a repeated request over the many visits -and one that never took place.

She gave several press briefings at the FCCT during her visit. We organized a tribute exhibition of his work with a portrait of Fabio hung at the entrance to the Club. Masaru Goto gave the opening remarks and broke down while paying tribute to his colleague and friend.

Over the years, Isa made numerous trips to Thailand -several a year -and stayed in regular touch with on Skype and email.

She was an accomplished photographer herself and described her bond with her brother as a deep friendship, mutual respect and as a "comrade" beyond being family. She said that the road that led to her investigating Fabio's death could be the only path she could take as it was the very one he would have taken had it happened to her or someone close to him. She talked about his passion for social justice issues expressed through his talent as a photographer and his deep kindness towards those in need.

The FCCT hosted many press briefings where Isa spoke. With every event, the scope of her mission expanded: she was no longer demanding an answer about her brother's death -she was drawing on this life changing experience to speak out for the protection of journalists around the world. To state in an increasingly clear, present and remarkably compassionate voice that Press Freedom and the protection of media was not a negotiable issue -it was a fundamental right that every society must uphold without compromise.

She transformed into a global advocate for journalists: extolling the tremendous risks, sacrifice and drive that lead them to do their job to speak truth to power through their documentation.

I emceed the final press conference the FCCT hosted with Isa when the long-awaited court ruling on Fabio's death was announced. The day before, she called to share the news that after years of asking --through countless channels --Abhisit requested a private meeting. She said she decided she would not go to meet him but would instead, invite him to the FCCT where she would meet him with Fabio's colleagues -or not at all.

Her mother accompanied her for the verdict. Isa said her mother told her she could never set foot on the land again where her son was slain. The anguish at the lack of clarity and culpability was too much to bear.

The court ruling did not illuminate the truth. Despite this, Isa was at her most eloquent. She talked about the fact that the ruling was no longer of primary importance. But that the journey she had been set upon because of Fabio's death deepened her commitment to stand for truth and for those whose professions are in the pursuit of some form of truth in the face of injustice.

The room was transfixed. She spoke without notes. From the gut. From the heart.
Isa had the rare gift of being a true humanitarian.
Her voice will continue to resonate with every stance taken to defend the protection of journalists and press freedom anywhere in the world.
She was a luchadora -- a fighter wielding integrity, conviction and compassion on one arm and a camera on the other.

Jeanne Hallacy

(https://www.facebook.com/notes/foreign-correspondents-club-of-thailand/on-the-passing-of-elisabetta-polenghi/615519458533008)

Third anniversary of the imprisonment of Somyot Prueksakasemsuk

Somyot before the reading of the courts verdict on 23 January 2013.

April 30th marked the third anniversary of the detention (30 April 2011) of Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, who had been sentenced to 10 years in prison on 23 January 2013 for for violating Thailand's draconian lese majeste law.

Since then his family and his friends continue to fight for his release on bail and for a retrial. Despite Somyot's serious health problems all requests for bail have been rejected by the Criminal Court.
Nevertheless, the protests against his detention and conviction continue unabated, even at international level. On 1 May 2014 for example Korean unionists demonstrated in front of the Thai Embassy in South Korea. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwu25X4e_Zk&feature=youtu.be)

Additional links and information about Somyot:
http://yanawa.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-somyot-prueksakasemsuk-verdict.html
http://yanawa.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-somyot-verdict.html
http://yanawa.blogspot.com/2013/07/somyot-update-press-conferencepressekon.html

Statement von Amnesty International:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA39/005/2014/en/148984a0-ae0d-4537-abdb-fd35b92c89ce/asa390052014en.html

The assassination of Kamol Duangphasuk

"Molding the violent passion"

Oh this great capital city, great yet so empty, so hollow
A capital within a kingdom that could be of deity or devil

Accused terrorists, our penalty almost certain death
Why keep this, this city of so called angels and imaginary heavens

Our passion will break the chains of the poor and grant them freedom
This is our final struggle

We shall fight wholeheartedly and we shall win.
(Excerpts from a poem written by Mainueng in April 2010 shortly before the massacre began. Originally translated by our friend Suda Rangkupan.)

Mainueng Kor Kunthee (center - plaid shirt) at a memorial service (April 2013) marking the third anniversary of the attempted crackdown on the Red Shirt protests by the military on April 10, 2010.

On Wednesday, 23 April 2014, the poet and political activist Kamol Duangphasuk, better known by his stage name Mainueng Kor Kunthee, was murdered at 2 pm in broad daylight. He was only 45 years old, leaving behind his wife and two children. 

I met him several times on commemorative events and protests. Ajarn Suda, a scholar, political activist, declared opponent of Section 112 ( law against lese majeste ) and close friend of Kor Kunthee had introduced us during one of these events.

Kamol was a well known supporter of the Red Shirt movement. Among others things he joined the protests against the Abhisit-Vejjajiva-government in 2010. He also was a staunch opponent of Section 112.

Even if the background and the motives for the attack are still unknown, it is most likely that the murder of Kor Kunthee is probably related to his battle against paragraph 112.

Presumably the hate speeches and the inhuman polemics of PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban and former Major-General Rientong Nan-nah, head of the so-called "Rubbish Collection Organization", an ultra-royalist-movement which was recently founded before the assassination, stirred up the political climate to that extend, that one or more fanatics apparently now believed to have the right to assassinate politically dissidents.

The aim of this " Rubbish Collection organization" is (according to translations from other sources), the "elimination" of all those who criticize the monarchy. Any "decent" citizens will be asked to search for this garbage (critics or opponents of the monarchy ), especially on the Internet, reporting these people to the police and to publish their images, names and place of residence. In an interview with the Australian network ABC, Rientong compares free speech with terrorism, when this freedom (in his opinion) is abused to attack or insult the monarchy, and he is convinced that the capitalists are behind it (this kind of terrorism) , without naming them specifically.

https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/tag/the-rubbish-collection-organisation/

ABC-Report: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/asia-pacific/exploring-thailands-relationship-with-its-monarch/1305792

An excerpt (rough translation by Khaosod News English) from the speech of Suthep Thaugsuban of 5 April 2014:

..."We will immediately march on that day!" Mr. Suthep, "We will occupy Thailand so the sovereign power shall truly belong to the people"
Mr. Suthep elaborated further that he would then install himself as the "Sovereign Body" who will wield absolute power via numerous "Revolutionary Decrees" and the adoption of a single charter provision as a legislative blank cheque - in the same manner of military dictators in 1960s, such as the notorious Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat.
"We will have something like Article 17 [of 1959 Administrative Charter] as the highest law," Mr. Suthep said, referring to the charter article which allowed Field Marshal Sarit to fight suspected Communist threats by all means, "[I] will be able to order anyone to be executed by firing squad, but I will only freeze assets"....
(http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1396776917&typecate=06&section)

A little later Suthep already backtracked - obviously after massive pressure from all sides, including the military and even his own followers.(http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Suthep-plays-down-sovereignty-claim-30231239.html)

The murder of Kor Kunthee shocked not only his supporters among the red shirts, intellectuals and free thinkers in Thailand, but also many artists and protesters who publicly supported the PDRC.
The Bangkok Post wrote: ...Forget the messages of hatred from online fools, because there’s light after Mainueng’s death. Poets of all colours have written hymns for the shocking loss, notably Surachai “Nga” Chantimatorn, a song-for-life-statesman who’s appeared on Suthep Thaugsuban’s stage. Surachai’s heartfelt ode — A poet was shot dead/I mourn for his life/Heart sinks/Who put a price on his head — is too real and too elegant for me to translate its full flavour. What’s important is its spirit: Ideology should never trump humanity, because when that happens, you start counting only the deaths on your own side and laugh at the others.

Death is death. Even if Mainueng’s murder has nothing to do with politics, the gravity of the loss remains huge, especially to his family. But if it has, as everyone suspects, the chill running down our our spines becomes chillier.

The poet is dead, let’s hope he’s the last one.

(http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/406703/poet-death-casts-chill-on-our-society)

A little poem by Kor Kunthee in contrast to the hate speeches of Suthep and Rientong:

When your head gets dusty, you must dust it off 

Because we are human not animals - we have rights. 

Fight for freedom with our voice, words and thoughts. 

Fight with all your heart and stand in defiance of injustice.

Kor Kunthee on the commemoration ceremony of the first anniversary of Khun Ah-Kong death, 5 May 2013, in front of the Criminal Court in Bangkok.

Cremation ceremony for Mainueng Kor Kunthee

Friend and political activist ajarn Tum.

In honor of the dead the Musician wore T-shirts with his likeness (usually they don't do this).

Friends and supporters from around the world sent wreaths to the cremation (among others from Japan, Australia, Korea, ...).

Kunthee's coffin.

Friends and supporters bid farewell at the coffin of Kor Kunthee.

The two men left are unknown to me, right next to them sat Dr. Weng (center), Jaran Ditapichai and Worachai Hema (right).

Ajarn Suda
(ajarn means teacher/scholar)

Monks circumambulate three times the crematorium pulling the coffin of Khun Duang (it's only symbolic,  in reality the coffin is pulled and pushed by the friends and supporters of Kor Kunthee).

The mourners sang protest songs during the procession.

A large number of policemen were on hand to protect the mourning ceremony from attacks. Previously bomb squads had scanned the area for bombs.

Video:

Traurige Zeiten

TO THE ENGLISH VERSION


In den letzten vier Wochen seit meinen letzten Post habe ich nichts über die politische Situation hier in Thailand geschrieben, da es außer Gerüchten nicht viel zu berichten gab. Es vergeht kein Tag, an dem nicht irgendjemand zu wissen behauptet, was in naher Zukunft passieren wird und sich dabei auf mysteriöse, gut informierte Quellen beruft. Aber am nächsten Tag hat sich dies alles dann wieder einmal nur als Gerede herausgestellt. Verlässliche Informationen zu liefern, ist zur Zeit nahezu unmöglich. Über drei Ereignisse in den letzten vier Wochen war ich allerdings sowohl sehr traurig als auch sehr wütend.

Update vom 7. und 8. Mai: Yingluck und neun weitere Kabinettsmitglieder wurden vom Verfassungsgericht für schuldig befunden und ihrer Ämter enthoben weil sie angeblich bei der Umbesetzung des Sicherheitschefs in 2011 gegen geltendes Recht verstossen zu hätten (was zahleiche Rechtsexperten jedoch anzweifeln und die außerdem auch noch die Zuständigkeit des Gerichtes in Frage stellen). Am 8.Mai befand die NACC (National Anti Corruption Commission) Yingluck für schuldig beim Reis Subventionsprogramm ihre Pflichten vernachlässigt zu haben.

Elisabetta Polenghi

Am 29.April 2014 erreichte uns in Bangkok die Nachricht von Elisabetta Polenghis Tod. Sie war die Schwester des italienischen Fotografen Fabio Polenghi, der während der Niederschlagung der Rothemden-Proteste durch das Militär am 19.Mai 2010 von einer Kugel getroffen wurde und auf dem Weg ins Krankenhaus verstarb.
Fast vier Jahre kämpfte sie für Gerechtikeit und die Aufdeckung der wirklichen Umstände von Fabios Tod - und gegen eine Justiz, die an einer Aufklärung nicht wirklich interessiert war.
Mehr dazu sowie zu Elisabettas letzter Pressekonferenz im FCCT (29.Mai 2013) unter diesem Link: http://yanawa.blogspot.com/2013/05/press-conference-on-fabio-polenghis.html 

Elisabetta im FCCT, 29.Mai 2013

Ein Nachruf von Jeanne Hallacy 

On the passing of Elisabetta Polenghi (by Jeanne Hallacy)

Dear All,

I was deeply affected by this sad news and equally moved and unsurprised that Isa's battle with cancer was not known.
I had the honor to work closely with Isa over the years from the first day she arrived to Thailand and brought her to the place where Fabio was killed with photojournalist Masaru Goto who was with him when he was shot and took a risk to carry his body to the side of the road.

When Isa arrived to the spot where he fell, she ran her hands across the blackened blood stain on the road. No one spoke.
She then began a rapid fire of questions --hungry for every minute detail of the moments leading up to his death which Masaru recounted. Masaru spoke of how they lifted him on to the back of a motorbike when his helmet and camera fell to the ground. He was under fire at the time and did not pick up the camera. It disappeared. And was never seen again.

Isa questioned the origin of the shots, the position of high buildings, the direction he faced, the angle of the sun. What he shouted to Masaru as they ran down the street.

A group of young Thais were watching and asked why she was there. When they learned it was Fabio's sister, they asked her to wait there.
They walked up the silent, barricaded road to find motorbike taxis. Twenty minutes later, they came back with bundles of jasmine garlands and orchids. They requested translation to give Isa a garland and encircled the place where he had fallen and prayed.
Only at that moment, Isa silently wept. One of the young women took her hand and pressed it as she continued to pray.

Isa's foremost quest was to find Fabio's camera. We distributed flyers in Thai and posted online offering a reward with no questions asked for the return only of the memory card with his last images. Masaru and I brought her to police stations and arranged meetings with the hospital where he was taken, Kraisak Choonhavan and the investigative body charged with the report on the events.

Isa was determined to get the memory card. She said preserving his final photos was paramount above all else-that was his role for being there -and the most precious contribution of his life.
Days later, Masaru's apartment was ransacked; his laptop and cameras were stolen. His home was turned upside down.
Isa believed those responsible for the vandalism were ordered by powerful people who would go to any lengths to ensure the memory card would remain buried in a tomb of unearthed truth.

The pursuit of that truth became Isa's quest.

She used her every waking moment to meet with government officials, off the record behind the scenes, civil society groups, journalists who covered the events, diplomats -and brought his case to the attention of international organizations including the CPB.

Dozens of journalists, photographers and friends attended Fabio's funeral.

From her first visit, Isa requested a meeting with PM Abhisit. It would become a repeated request over the many visits -and one that never took place.

She gave several press briefings at the FCCT during her visit. We organized a tribute exhibition of his work with a portrait of Fabio hung at the entrance to the Club. Masaru Goto gave the opening remarks and broke down while paying tribute to his colleague and friend.

Over the years, Isa made numerous trips to Thailand -several a year -and stayed in regular touch with on Skype and email.

She was an accomplished photographer herself and described her bond with her brother as a deep friendship, mutual respect and as a "comrade" beyond being family. She said that the road that led to her investigating Fabio's death could be the only path she could take as it was the very one he would have taken had it happened to her or someone close to him. She talked about his passion for social justice issues expressed through his talent as a photographer and his deep kindness towards those in need.

The FCCT hosted many press briefings where Isa spoke. With every event, the scope of her mission expanded: she was no longer demanding an answer about her brother's death -she was drawing on this life changing experience to speak out for the protection of journalists around the world. To state in an increasingly clear, present and remarkably compassionate voice that Press Freedom and the protection of media was not a negotiable issue -it was a fundamental right that every society must uphold without compromise.

She transformed into a global advocate for journalists: extolling the tremendous risks, sacrifice and drive that lead them to do their job to speak truth to power through their documentation.

I emceed the final press conference the FCCT hosted with Isa when the long-awaited court ruling on Fabio's death was announced. The day before, she called to share the news that after years of asking --through countless channels --Abhisit requested a private meeting. She said she decided she would not go to meet him but would instead, invite him to the FCCT where she would meet him with Fabio's colleagues -or not at all.

Her mother accompanied her for the verdict. Isa said her mother told her she could never set foot on the land again where her son was slain. The anguish at the lack of clarity and culpability was too much to bear.

The court ruling did not illuminate the truth. Despite this, Isa was at her most eloquent. She talked about the fact that the ruling was no longer of primary importance. But that the journey she had been set upon because of Fabio's death deepened her commitment to stand for truth and for those whose professions are in the pursuit of some form of truth in the face of injustice.

The room was transfixed. She spoke without notes. From the gut. From the heart.

Isa had the rare gift of being a true humanitarian.

Her voice will continue to resonate with every stance taken to defend the protection of journalists and press freedom anywhere in the world.
She was a luchadora -- a fighter wielding integrity, conviction and compassion on one arm and a camera on the other.

Jeanne Hallacy
(https://www.facebook.com/notes/foreign-correspondents-club-of-thailand/on-the-passing-of-elisabetta-polenghi/615519458533008)

Dritter Jahrestag der Inhaftierung von Somyot Prueksakasemsuk

Somyot Prueksakasemsuk vor Verkündung des Urteils am 23.Januar 2013.

Am 30. April jährte sich zum dritten Mal die Verhaftung und Inhaftierung von Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, der am 23. Januar 2013  wegen Majestätsbeleidigung zu 10 Jahren Haft verurteilt worden war. Seit damals kämpfen sowohl seine Familie als auch seine Freunde um seine Freilassung und um eine Wiederaufnahme des Verfahrens. Alle Anträge auf Freilassung gegen Kaution wurden bisher abgelehnt, trotz der schweren gesundheitlichen Probleme Somjots. Nichts desto trotz gehen die Proteste gegen seine Inhaftierung und seine Verurteilung unvermindert weiter, auch auf internationaler Ebene. Unter anderem demonstrierten Gewerkschafter am 1.Mai vor der thailändischen Botschaft in Südkorea (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwu25X4e_Zk&feature=youtu.be)

Weitere Links und Infos zu Somyot:
http://yanawa.blogspot.com/2013/01/das-somyot-urteil.html
http://yanawa.blogspot.com/2013/07/somyot-update-press-conferencepressekon.html

Statement von Amnesty International (nur in Englisch):
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA39/005/2014/en/148984a0-ae0d-4537-abdb-fd35b92c89ce/asa390052014en.html

Die Ermordung von Kamol Duangphasuk

"Molding the violent passion"

Oh this great capital city, great yet so empty, so hollow
A capital within a kingdom that could be of deity or devil

Accused terrorists, our penalty almost certain death
Why keep this, this city of so called angels and imaginary heavens

Our passion will break the chains of the poor and grant them freedom
This is our final struggle

We shall fight wholeheartedly and we shall win.

(Auszüge aus einem Gedicht von Mainueng, entstanden im April 2010, kurze Zeit vor der blutigen Niederschlagung. Übersetzt in Englische von Suda Rangkupan.)

Mainueng Kor Kunthee (Mitte - kariertes Hemd) auf einer Gedenkveranstaltung zum dritten Jahrestag (April 2013) der versuchten Niederschlagung der Rothemden-Proteste am 10.April 2010 durch das Militär.

Am Mittwoch, den 23. April 2014 wurde der Dichter und politische Aktivist Kamol Duangphasuk, bekannter unter seinem Künstlernamen Mainueng Kor Kunthee, ermordet. Er wurde nur 45 Jahre alt und hinterlässt eine Frau und zwei Kinder. Ich hatte ihn mehrfach auf Gedenkveranstaltungen und Protestaktionen getroffen. Ajarn Suda, eine politische Aktivistin, erklärte Gegnerin des Paragrafen 112 (Gesetz gegen Majestätsbeleidigung) und enge Freundin des Dichters, hatte uns miteinander bekannt gemacht.

Kamol war bekannt als Unterstützer der "Rothemden", so nahm er unter anderem an den Protesten gegen die Abhisit-Vejjajiva-Regierung in 2010 teil. Er war zudem ein entschiedener Gegner des Paragrafen 112. Auch wenn der Hintergrund und die Motive für das Attentat noch unbekannt sind, so dürfte der Mord an Kor Kunthee wohl im Zusammenhang mit seinem Kampf gegen den Paragrafen 112 stehen.

Vermutlich haben die Hassreden und die menschenverachtende Polemik von PDRC-Führer Suthep Thaugsuban und einer kurz vor dem Mordanschlag von Ex-Generalmajor Rientong Nan-nah gegründeten Ultra-Royalistischen Bewegung, die "Rubbish Collection Organisation", das politische Klima so weit aufgeheizt, so dass ein oder mehrere Fanatiker offenbar nun glaubten, das Recht zu haben, politisch Andersdenkende ermorden zu dürfen. 

Das Ziel dieser "Rubbish Collection Organisation" ist (laut Übersetzungen) die "Ausmerzung" all derjenigen, die die Monarchie kritisieren. Alle "anständigen" Bürger werden aufgefordert, nach diesem Müll (Kritiker oder Gegner der Monarchie) zu suchen, insbesondere im Internet, sie bei der Polizei anzuzeigen und deren Bilder, Namen und deren Wohnsitz zu veröffentlichen. In einem Interview mit dem australischen Sender ABC vergleicht er Redefreiheit mit Terrorismus, wenn diese Freiheit (seiner Meinung nach) die Monarchie angreift oder beleidigt, und er ist überzeugt, dass die Kapitalisten dahinterstecken, ohne diese konkret oder mit Namen zu benennen. 

https://uglytruththailand.wordpress.com/tag/the-rubbish-collection-organisation/
ABC-Report: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/asia-pacific/exploring-thailands-relationship-with-its-monarch/1305792

Ein Auszug (grobe Übersetzung) aus der Rede von Suthep Thaugsuban vom 5.April 2014:

..."An diesem Tag werden wir sofort marschieren! " Suthep Thaugsuban: "Wir werden Thailand besetzen , so dass die unumschränkte Macht wirklich in den Händen des Volkes liegt."

Suthep erklärte weiter, dass er dann sich selbst als unumschränkten Herrscher einsetzen wolle, der aufgrund zahlreicher "Revolutionsverordnungen" und die Annahme einer einzigen gesetzlichen Regelung, ähnlich einem juristischen Freibrief, die absolute Macht in den Händen halte - in der gleichen Art und Weise wie die Militärdiktatoren in den 1960er Jahren, wie etwa der berüchtigte Feldmarschall Sarit Thanarat .

"Als höchstes Recht werden wir so etwas wie den Artikel 17 [ 1959 Administrative Charta ] haben", sagte Suthep , der sich dabei auf das Gesetz beruft, das (damals) Feldmarschall Sarit erlaubte, die mutmaßliche kommunistische Bedrohung mit allen Mitteln zu bekämpfen". Ich werde in der Lage sein (die Macht haben),  jeden beliebigen Menschen durch ein Erschießungskommando hinrichten zu lassen, aber ich werde nur (deren) Vermögen einfrieren "... (http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1396776917&typecate=06&section)

Nur wenig später ruderte Suthep zurück - offensichtlich nach massivem Druck von allen Seiten, unter anderem des Militärs und selbst seiner eigenen Anhänger (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Suthep-plays-down-sovereignty-claim-30231239.html). Der Mord an Kor Kunthee schockte nicht nur seine Anhänger unter den Rothemden, Intellektuelle und Freidenker in Thailand, sondern auch viele Künstler und Protestler, die die PDRC öffentlich unterstützen.

Den Hassreden Sutheps und Rientongs möchte ich dieses kurze Gedicht von Kor Kunthee gegenüberstellen:

When your head gets dusty, you must dust it off.

Because we are human not animals - we have rights.

Fight for freedom with our voice, words and thoughts.

Fight with all your heart and stand in defiance of injustice.

Kor Kunthee auf der Gedenkveranstaltung zum ersten Jahrestag des Todes von Khun Ah-Kong,
5.Mai 2013 vor dem Strafgerichtshof in Bangkok.

Einäscherungszeremonie für Mainueng Kor Kunthee

Freundin und Mitstreiterin Ajarn Tum.

Zu Ehren des Toten trugen die Musiker T-Shirts mit seinem Konterfei (was nicht unbedingt üblich ist).

Freunde und Unterstützer nehmen Abschied am Sarg von Kor Kunthee.

Kunthees Sarg.

Freunde und Unterstützer aus aller Welt sandten Kränze zur Einäscherung
(u.a. aus Japan, Australien, Korea,...).

Ajarn Suda Rangukarn
(Ajarn ist ein Titel und bedeutet sinngemäß Lehrer/Gelehrter)

Die beiden Herren links sind mir unbekannt, rechts daneben sitzen drei Führer der Rothemden: Dr. Weng (Mitte), Jaran Ditapichai und Worachai Hema (rechts).

Mönche umrunden dreimal das Krematorium und ziehen dabei (nur symbolisch, wirklich gezogen und geschoben wird der Sarg von den Freunden und Anhängern Kunthees) den Sarg Duangs hinter sich her.

Während des Umzuges sangen die Trauergäste Protestlieder.

Mehrere Hundertschaften der Polizei standen bereit, um die Trauerzeremonie vor Angriffen zu schützen. Zuvor hatten Spezialeinheiten der Polizei das Gelände nach Bomben abgesucht.

Video