Gift Rojsiriruch

สมาธิ...ธรรมะเพื่อการเรียน

2012-03-21T08:41:00.001-07:00

สมาธิเพื่อชีวิต
โดย หลวงพ่อพุธ ฐานิโย
วัดป่าสาลวัน
ต.ในเมือง อ.เมือง จ.นครราชสีมา
คำสอนของพระพุทธเจ้าเป็นคำสอนของปัญญาชน
ไม่ใช่เป็นคำสอนของบุคคลผู้เชื่อในสิ่งที่ไม่มีเหตุผลด้วยความงมงาย
ศาสนาพุทธสอนให้คนเรียนให้รู้ธรรมชาติและกฎของธรรมชาติ
ถ้าใครจะถามว่าธรรมะคืออะไร ? ธรรมะ ก็คือ ธรรมชาติ
ธรรมชาติคืออะไร ? ก็คือ กายกับใจของเรา
ขณะนี้นักเรียนทั้งหลายกำลังเรียน ปัญหาสำคัญอยู่ตรงที่ว่า
ทำอย่างไรเราจึงจะได้พลังของสมาธิ พลังของสติเพื่อสนับสนุนการศึกษา
หลวงตาจะสอนวิธีทำสมาธิในห้องเรียน สมมุติว่าขณะนี้หลวงตาเป็น
ครูสอนพวกเธอทั้งหลาย ให้พวกเธอทั้งหลายเพ่งสายตามาที่หลวงตา
ส่งใจมาที่หลวงตาแล้วก็สังเกตดูให้ดีว่าหลวงตาทำอะไรบ้าง
หลวงตายกมือหนูก็รู้ เขียนหนังสือให้หนูรู้ พูดอะไรให้หนูตั้งใจฟัง

ถ้าสังเกตจนกระทั่งกระพริบหูกระพริบตาได้ยิ่งดี เวลาเข้าห้องเรียนให้
เพ่งสายตาไปที่ตัวครู ส่งใจไปที่ตัวครู อย่าเอาใจไปอื่น เพียงแค่นี้
วิธีการทำสมาธิในห้องเรียน ถ้าพวกหนูๆ จำเอาไปแล้วปฏิบัติตาม
จะได้สมาธิตั้งแต่เป็นนักเรียนเล็กๆ ชั้นอนุบาล

ในตอนแรกนี่ การควบคุมสายตาและจิตไปไว้ที่ตัวครู
นี่อาจจะลำบากหน่อย แต่ต้องพยายามฝึก ฝึกจนคล่องตัวชำนิชำนาญ
ภายหลังแม้เราจะไม่ตั้งใจ พอเห็นใครเดินผ่านหน้ามันจะจ้องเอาๆ
พอมาเข้าห้องเรียนแล้วพอครูเดินเข้ามาในห้อง
สายตามันจะจ้องปั๊บ ใจมันก็จะจดจ่ออยู่ตรงนั้น หนูลองคิดดูซิว่า
การที่มองที่ครู และเอาใจใส่ตัวครูนี่ เราเรียนหนังสือเราจะเข้าใจดีไหม
ลองคิดดู ทีนี้เมื่อฝึกจนคล่องตัวชำนิชำนาญแล้ว สายตามันยังจ้องอยู่ที่ตัวครู

แต่ใจจะมาอยู่ที่ตัวเราเอง มาตอนนี้ครูท่านสอนอะไร
พอท่านพูดจบประโยคนั้น ใจของเรารู้ล่วงหน้าแล้วว่าต่อไปท่านพูดอะไร
เวลาไปสอบ อ่านคำถามจบ ใจของเราจะวูบวาบแล้วคำตอบมันจะผุดขึ้น
อันนี้เป็นสูตรทำสมาธิที่หลวงพ่อทำได้ผลมาแล้ว
, หลวงพ่อพุธ ฐานิโย
From: http://www.dhammajak.net/smati/12.html

"เอกยุทธ อัญชันบุตร" หนึ่งคลิ๊กเปลี่ยนชีวิต

2011-11-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1320244730&grpid=01&catid=&subcatid=
วันนี้ได้มีโอกาสอ่าน status ของ เอกยุทธ อัญชันบุตร... แต่ต้องบอกล่วงหน้าว่าไม่รู้จักเขามาก่อน แต่ในฐานะนักกฎหมาย ต้องขอวิเคราะห์สักหน่อยว่าในทางคดีหมิ่นประมาท ท่านนายกจะฟ้องเอกยุทธได้หรือไม่ หรือ เอกยุทธจะฟ้องคนที่เข้ามาวิจารณ์เขาใน Facebook ได้หรือไม่???

"ไม่อยากจะกล่าวคำแบบนี้ เพราะจะดูเสมือนดูถูกสตรี..แต่ในความเป็นจริงนั้น..สาวเหนือที่ไร้การศึกษา หรือขี้เกียจ และด้อยปัญญา จะมาทำงานสบายที่หญิงปกติไม่ทำกัน..หลักๆ ก็คือขายบริการ..ฉะนั้นสาวเหนือที่ไร้สติปัญญาและโง่เขลาขนาดหนักแต่หน้า ด้านมารับตำแหน่ง ก็ควรจะรู้นะว่าอาชีพอะไรที่เหมาะแก่คุณ ?"

ถ้อยคำนี้ ถามว่าเข้าองค์ประกอบความผิดฐานหมิ่นประมาทตามพระราชบัญญัติหรือไม่นั้น ต้องพิจารณาดังต่อไปนี้
ความหมายทั่วไปของหมิ่นประมาท คือ การใส่ความผู้อื่นไม่ว่าจะด้วยวิธีการใดๆ เช่น พูด เขียน พิมพ์ข้อความ หรือแสดงกริยาต่างๆ โดยการใส่ความดังกล่าวนั้น ต้องเป็นการกระทำให้บุคคลที่สามรับทราบ ซึ่งเป็นการกระทำให้ผู้ถูกใส่ความนั้น ได้รับความเสียหาย (มาตรา 326 ป.อ.)
-เอกยุทธ ใส่ความผู้อื่น จะเป็นหญิงเหนือ หรือท่านนายกนั้นแน่นอนค่ะ
-ด้วยวิธีการเขียนทางInternet ผ่าน website Facebook
-ถ้านายเอกยุทธถูกฟ้องจริงๆ ต้องยกประเด็นเรื่องที่เขาไม่ได้เอ่ยชื่อว่ากล่าวหาใคร แต่ถามว่า จากผลลัพธ์ที่คนมากมายเข้าไปรุมประนามเขาใน Facebook ของเขาเองและจากการที่สื่อต่างๆวิจารณ์เขามากมาย จะเห็นได้ว่า วิญญูชน หรือบุคคลทั่วไปเข้าใจได้หรือไม่ว่าเขาหมายถึงใคร...
-ขายบริการ...นั้น แน่นอนเป็นการดูหมิ่นตามคำพิพากษาฎีกาที่เป็นบรรทัดฐาน

นักกฎหมายของwebsite Pantip ให้ความเห็นว่า
"การไม่เอ่ยชื่อบุคคลโดยตรงและไม่เอ่ย ชื่อหน่วยงานแต่ฟังแล้วรู้ว่าหมายถึงใคร ถ้าการกระทำนั้นทำให้บุคคลนั้นเสียชื่อเสียง ถูกดูหมิ่นหรือถูกเกลียดชัง บนเว็บไซต์ ก็ผิดหมิ่นประมาทโดยการโฆษณาเช่นกัน"

เรียนด้วยความเคารพจริงๆว่า เป็นไปได้สูงที่นายเอกยุทธจะถูกฟ้อง และเขาอาจจะแพ้คดีนี้อีกก็ได้ ยิ่งถ้าเขาอยู่ในประเทศที่เคารพสิทธิเสรีภาพของปัจเจกบุคคล อย่างในสหรัฐอเมริกาก็อาจจะร้ายแรงมากขึ้นเพราะถือว่าเป็น "การพูดซึ่งมีเจตนาทางเกลียดชัง" หรือ Hate Speech

และสำหรับที่เอกยุทธจะฟ้องคนที่เข้ามาแสดงความคิดเห็นนั้น อย่าลืมว่า เพียง คำหยาบ คำด่า นั้นไม่เข้าข่ายหมิ่นประมาทนะค่ะ และ
สำหรับ Website ที่เป็นตัวกลาง จะฟ้องเค้าก็ได้ แต่ถ้ามีคนแจ้งแล้วทางweb ลบข้อความนั้นแล้วก็คงไม่มีความผิด จริงๆการที่Website หรือ Internet Service Provider ที่ไม่รู้เห็นกับการหมิ่นประมาทนั้นไม่ควรมีความผิดนั้นน่าจะเป็นหลักการที่ถูกต้องเพราะเค้าคงไม่สามารถตรวจสอบComment ได้ทุกอัน ไม่อน่างนั้น Facebook คงอยู่ไม่ได้ถึงทุกวันนี้

เอกยุทธ แม้เราพูดกันเรื่องกฎหมาย แต่เรื่องนี้สอนให้รู้ว่า เมื่อยังไม่เอ่ยปาก เราเป็นนายของคำพูด เมื่อพูดไปแล้ว คำพูดก็เป็นนายเรา บางครั้งเราอาจสะใจที่คนเข้ามาด่าเรามากมาย แต่ความสะใจนั้นอาจนำมาซึ่งหายนะในชีวิต คุณอาจไปเมืองเหนือไม่ได้อีกเลยก็ได้...

มาตราที่เกี่ยวข้อง:
       1) ประมวลกฎหมายอาญา มาตรา 326 “ผู้ใดใส่ความผู้อื่นต่อบุคคลที่สาม โดยประการที่น่าจะทำให้ผู้อื่นนั้นเสียชื่อเสียง ถูกดูหมิ่นหรือ ถูกเกลียดชัง ผู้นั้นกระทำความผิดฐานหมิ่นประมาท ต้องระวางโทษจำคุกไม่เกินหนึ่งปีหรือปรับไม่เกินสองหมื่นบาท หรือทั้งจำทั้งปรับ”
       2) ประมวลกฎหมายอาญามาตรา 328 “ถ้าความผิดฐานหมิ่นประมาทได้กระทำโดยการโฆษณาด้วยเอกสาร ภาพวาด ภาพระบายสี ภาพยนตร์ ภาพหรือตัวอักษรที่ทำให้ปรากฏด้วยวิธีใด ๆ แผ่นเสียง หรือสิ่งบันทึกเสียงบันทึกภาพ หรือบันทึกอักษร กระทำโดยการกระจายเสียง หรือการกระจายภาพ หรือโดยกระทำการป่าวประกาศด้วยวิธีอื่น ผู้กระทำต้องระวางโทษจำคุกไม่เกินสองปีและปรับไม่เกินสองแสนบาท”
       3) ประมวลกฎหมายแพ่งและพาณิชย์ มาตรา 423 “ผู้ใดกล่าวหรือไขข่าวแพร่หลายซึ่งข้อความอันฝ่าฝืนต่อความจริง เป็นที่เสียหาย แก่ชื่อเสียง หรือ เกียรติคุณ ของบุคคลอื่น ก็ดี หรือ เป็นที่เสียหาย แก่ทางทำมาหาได้ หรือ ทางเจริญของเขา โดยประการอื่น ก็ดี ท่านว่าผู้นั้นจะต้องใช้ค่าสินไหมทดแทนให้แก่เขาเพื่อความเสียหาย อย่างใดๆ อันเกิดแต่การนั้น แม้ทั้งเมื่อตนมิได้รู้ว่าข้อความนั้นไม่จริง แต่หากควรจะรู้ได้
       ผู้ใด ส่งข่าวสาร อันตนมิได้รู้ว่า เป็นความไม่จริง หากว่า ตนเอง หรือ ผู้รับข่าวสารนั้น มีทางได้เสีย โดยชอบ ในการนั้นด้วยแล้ว ท่านว่า เพียงที่ส่งข่าวสารเช่นนั้น หาทำให้ผู้นั้น ต้องรับผิด ใช้ค่าสินไหมทดแทนไม่”

Gift Rojsiriruch: Fashion Law Institute @ Fordham Law School

2010-11-14T18:15:00.000-08:00

Gift Rojsiriruch: Fashion Law Institute @ Fordham Law School: " THERE is one more chic reason to study at Fordham Law school. Except from it is located in Midtown of Manhattan, it is the first law scho..."

Fashion Law Institute @ Fordham Law School

2010-11-14T18:14:00.000-08:00

  THERE is one more chic reason to study at Fordham Law school. Except from it is located in Midtown of Manhattan, it is the first law school which creates "Fashion Law Institute".
  After almost a semester in this school, I found myself inspired by this institute at least when I return to Thailand I may have some idea of pushing Intellectual Property right holders in Fashion and garment fields to concern more of their rights.
  Several years ago in Thailand, there was a campaign which attempt to promote Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand to be "The City of Fashion". I totally agreed with that campaign but it never become true because of many factors, which I am not going to state them here.
  Fashion has been involved in people lives more or less depending on their personalities and characteristics. Some may just buy cheap clothes from some street markets, some may buy them in high prices from haute-couture stores. But it can't be denied that clothes are must for lives.
If this field of law has a chance to play more important role in Thailand, the creativity of our people and country will be legally protected. By legal protection, it can not only help adding artistic value to our products, but also motivating new designers to create (instead of copy) fashion which is one of the industrial properties.

Chic Vocabs for Thai Lawyers (week 1)

2010-11-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

"Per Se"

|pər ˈsā|
adverb
means by or in itself or themselves; intrinsically:
(เพอร์-เซ)
หมายถึง โดยตัวเอง หรือ เพื่อตัวเอง

ตัวอย่าง:
- It is not these conducts per se that are important.
การกระทำเหล่านี้โดยตัวเองไม่ใช่สาระสำคัญ
- The conduct of price fixing is illegal per se.
การตรึงราคาสินค้าเป็การกระทำอันมิชอบด้วยกฎหมายโดยตัวของมันเอง

Genetically Modified Organisms in Our Lives

2010-05-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is the big issue in this era. It is very crucial to create the law to control the action that might cause trouble and prevent people from seeking profits for themselves.

Consumer protection laws in the United States are one of the strongest laws in the world. Labeling the goods that they are GMO food is a requirement and it is beneficial to consumers in order to choose what to consume.

In Thailand, we do not have strong consumer protection regulations. Rather, they mostly protect investors or business owners that lead to monopoly and other problems.

From my perspective, scientists have tried to invent new technologies in order to make life easier or even make people immortal.

Since genetically modified food and its process is still questionable whether or not there are any bad side effect to human’s health, the consumers should be able to make their choice, real food or processed food.

08/18/09 journal

2010-05-11T16:24:00.000-07:00

Laws or regulations are very important to govern the usage of technologies. For example, in case that someone cloned animals or humans, laws need to play an important role to control their use and experimentation.

Since these kinds of technology can be both useful and harmful, the most essential duty of law is to take care of human morally and legally. In my opinion, it is not a good idea for scientists to clone humans because it must be chaotic if there are several people who have the same identities. Rather, cloning organs in order to transplant them to the patients or handicaps is quite a brilliant thought.

journal during my first semester as LLM student

2010-05-10T23:29:00.000-07:00

08/01/09

Law and life in technology age

“Technology |tekˈnäləjē|

Noun (pl. -gies)

The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, esp. in industry: advances in computer technology | recycling technologies.

• Machinery and equipment developed from such scientific knowledge.

• The branch of knowledge dealing with engineering or applied sciences.”

Life has changed from time to time specially faster and faster in this age. I think that it is important to understand the history (past), present, and future of technology age. As technology has been playing an important role in human's life, they should realize both pros and cons of using it.

From my point of view, letting technology make my life more comfortable is the best way to use it, but letting it to be my boss is not that good idea. For instance, I had always believe that don’t let anything be our boss because nothing in this world is truly ours

Anything, cheap or expensive, ugly or beautiful, even you like or dislike, are just nature and they all are belong to the world not to us.

My parents said that when you are alive, take your best effort to protect yourself and your properties, but when you die, nothing you can bring except goodness and badness you have done.

Therefore, it is smart to use technologies as long as they are not superior to you.

กระบวนการยุติธรรมทางอาญาของไทย (ภาษาอังกฤษ)

2010-05-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

Thai Criminal Justice System:

Human Rights in Thai Criminal Justice System

I. History of Thai Legal System and Its Development

Thai legal system has long been considered as a civil law country because it relies on numerous written codes; for example Thai Constitution, Civil and Commercial Code, Penal Codes, and other Acts and Statues. However, It also adopted several ideas from common law that relies on precedent cases and Supreme Courts’ opinions.

In order to have comprehensive understanding about Thai legal system and Thai criminal justice system, it requires background information about Thai Ancient Law, Thai Modern Law, and how they integrated.

One of the most significant systems that have been playing an important role in Thai law is Monarchy System. Dictionarydefines the word Monarchy as “a states or nation in which the supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in a monarch or as supreme power or sovereignty held by a single person”.

Thailand does not have Absolute Monarchy. Rather, it has a Constitutional Monarchy, which is the type of monarchy that limits the power of the king to a symbolic figurehead. However, he has been highly venerated by Thai population since he has reigned in June 9^th, 1946.

Thai Ancient Law and Legal System

As the king and queen system has been playing an essential role in the country since before the Kingdom of Sukhothai period (1238-1350) until now, most of the governed laws and regulations including statues and codes are involved with the royal family and must be enacted and signed by the King.

During the Kingdom of Ayutthaya period (1350-1767), there were several Thai laws called Dharmasatra, Ratchasattdham, along with royal decrees, which are the rules that primarily formed Thai legal system.

After the overthrow of Ayutthaya period (1789-1806), King Rama I, the first founding father of Chakri Dynasty and the founder of Rattanakosin period, appointed a Royal Commission to revise the law. They combined all ancient laws together and formed the new law named The Law of Three Great Seal.

Then, in the era of colonization, a number of foreigners including Portugal and British sailed to trade in Thailand. They complained that the method of punishment[i] in Thai ancient laws was so severe that the foreigners preferred to be tried by their own courts. The ancient punishment were cutting off of limbs, hands and feet, pillory, flogging, tattooing a mark on the face indicating a criminal offence, confiscating all properties of the criminal’s family, all kinds of public humiliation, and capital punishment. Since Thai authorities were concerned that the country might lose its jurisdiction and sovereignty permanently, they revised the law and soften the method of punishment to be more civilized.

In the period of King Rama V, Thailand was dramatically influenced by European principality. The King himself appreciated the civilization of European countries especially British and France. Therefore, he employed French worker to draft Penal Law and eventually proclaims to enforce in 1917. Subsequently, in 1932, the Great Revolution occurred – the political system had been changed from Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy under the parliamentary system.

Eventually, he recommended his son, Prince Rabi Pattanasak, 18, to study abroad. And then, the prince was admitted to study in law school, Oxford University. Three years later, the prince returned to his home country with full of knowledge and inspiration to modernize those Thai ancient laws. After his returning, the innovation was so successful that Thai people called him “Father of Modern Thai Law.” Since then Thai laws were culminated into the Civil and Commercial, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, and Penal Codes based on modern European Principles.

Recently, King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej, and the Queen are immune from any kind of lawsuit. In addition, they are mentioned and protected in many laws and regulations as follow:

Section 1 of Thai present constitution, which is the 17^th constitution since 1932, states “…The King is head of state and holds the position of head of Thai Armed Forces. The King shall be enthroned in a position of revere worship and shall not be violated, accused or sued…”

Additionally, in Thai Penal Code, there are several articles refer to the royal institute including article 112 which states that “whoever defames, insults, or threatens the King, Queen, the Heir-apparent, or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years”. Also, under section 81 of Thai Criminal Procedure Code states “An arrest, with or without a warrant, may not be made…(2) in a Royal Palace or in a place where the King, Queen, or Regent resides, unless permission has previously been granted by the State Councilor in charge of the Ministry of the interior”.

Thai Modern Law and Legal System

Thai laws and regulations, nowadays, have adopted many ideas from the United States; for instance, the Bill of Rights. As well, Thailand espouses the idea of human rights in criminal justice procedure from other international treaties[ii] including Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination, and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Since the constitution is the highest law and no other law shall be differ from or contrast with it, The Criminal Procedure Code, the most important code in Thai criminal justice system, perfectly follows through the concept in the constitution, especially the part of civil and human rights.

Generally, there are multiple organizations involved in each step of the justice system in the country. The first agency is the Royal Thai Police. Police officers have major duty to legally investigate, gather evidences, and deliver everything with their opinion to public prosecutors.

After the inquiry officials send investigation file along with the opinion to public prosecutors[iii], prosecutors begin their function. Thai prosecutors are not granted the power to initiate investigation nor commence the case themselves. However, they have power to order the inquiry officials to conduct an additional investigation if they believe that the evidence is not clear and strong enough. After prosecutors finish the examination, they prepare an indictment with an order of a plea of guilty or not guilty based on evidence that has been gathered. Then, they present the plea to the court in order for judges either to accept for trial or to dismiss the case.

The Office of General Attorney is an independent public agency. Public attorneys in order to be free of outside influence and control are governed by their own service commission.

Afterward, when the court of justice accepts the case for trial, courts will hold the trial in open court and the accused person is presumed to be innocent until he or she is found guilty. Thailand does not have jury trial as a fact-finding method. Rather, judges preside over the courts; examine the presented documents, try and decide the sentence.

There are three levels of courts in Thai criminal justice system, which are lower court, the Court of Appellate, and the Supreme Court (Dika). One issue usually occurs in the Supreme Court of Justice in Thailand is that judges mostly use their own discretion to impose the punishment in criminal cases. For instance, in case that a defendant felt guilt and immediately and voluntarily confessed, the court might reduce the punishment scale by a half of the standard level of punishment.

II. Subject Matter of Thai Criminal Procedure Code

One of the most essential laws that regulate criminal procedure in Thailand is the Criminal Procedure Code. Section 28[1] of this code provides an important rule regarding who can commence the criminal cases. Both public prosecutors and injured persons are able to bring criminal cases to the courts. Nonetheless, section 34[2] does not bar the right of injured persons to commence their case to the court in case that prosecutor decided a non-prosecution order.

There are several dissimilarities by beginning each criminal case with different prosecutors (public prosecutor or injured person). For instance, in case that entered to the court by public prosecutor, it is necessary to be investigated and examined by both police official and public prosecutor before presenting the case to court.

Therefore, it is unnecessary for the court to hold a preliminary examination, but may do so under his or her decision, section 162.[3] In contrast, under the same section, the court shall make a preliminary examination in case that a private person is a prosecutor.

One of the rules in Thai Criminal Procedure Code that differ from the U.S. criminal justice system is that the prosecutors are able to file civil cases in connection with criminal cases under section 40[4] and public prosecutors can be representatives for both civil and criminal cases.

Thailand has also adopted several rules from the United States. The first rule is the Exclusionary Rules. Under section 226[5] of Thai Criminal Procedure Code, evidences are admissible only if they are obtained by lawful procedure. Also, Thai Criminal Procedure Code provides some provisions that similar to “Fruit of Poisonous Tree”.

Under section 78, “no person may be arrested by arrested by any administrative or police official without a warrant of arrest…” And, under section 92, “no search may be made in a private place without a warrant of search…” In other word, all evidences gathered by wrongful conduct are not admissible.

III. Thai Law Regarding Human Rights

Domestic Laws

Recently, Thailand has been much more concerned about Human Rights issue. In order to develop its legal system to be more effective and practical, the government and other authorities attempt to devise the Constitution, Criminal Procedure Code and ratify some international treaties regarding human rights. These are not only beneficial to the country in order to be recognized by other foreign nations, but also to protect and prevent tragedy in terms of human rights similar to those occurred in the past.

Section 31 of Division 3 in the Constitution of Thailand guarantee human rights by stating that “…no person shall be subject to torture or to cruel or inhumane treatment.”

Furthermore, the highest law of the country generally assures civil and human rights to the defendant and the suspect in criminal lawsuit. They are entitled to an unbiased tribunal and they shall have rights to have an attorney appointed by the court. The court could not accept a statement and confession obtained by any inducement, torture, or illegal method.

Additionally, Thailand by The Office of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand has issued an act regarding human rights protection in order to support the provisions in the Constitution of Thailand that is called National Human Rights Commission Act B.E. 2542 (1990).

In 1997, The Office of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand also ratified Provision of Human Rights Promotion and Protection under the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2540(1997). This law generally contains basic human rights protection that must be prevented under the Constitution of Thailand including prohibiting a torture, brutal act, or punishment by cruel or inhumane methods. However, this law does not regard a legitimate death penalty as an inhumane mean of punishment.

In Thai Criminal Procedure Code, there are two major provisions that guarantee the rights of the suspects in criminal cases. Also, they are provided the warning against self-incrimination during their custodial interrogation. The suspects have to be advised by police officers to remain silent and the right not to self-incriminate under section 134[6].

International Laws and Treaties

The first significant international law that support human rights issue in Thailand is The Universal Declaration of Human Right 1948[iv] that provides some provisions in order to assure fundamental rights of humanity. Thailand is a member country of this declaration since it is adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Therefore, the country was required to publicize this declaration, display, read, and expounded in schools and other educational institutions.

This law states that all human are free and equal in dignity and rights and he or she are entitled to all the rights and freedoms presented in this Declaration regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. This declaration also prohibits a heavier punishment be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the criminal offence was committed.

Additionally, since in order for the country to be recognized internationally requires strong protection of human rights in the country, Thailand ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)[v] on October 29, 1996. This agreement obliged Thailand to implement its domestic laws in accordance with the ICCPR. For instance, under ICCPR, a person who is tried for criminal offences is assured to have rights not only to have fair trial but also have a complex of rights including the right not to incriminate him or herself. Also, this agreement provides some articles[7] relevant to due process in criminal procedure.

The next international treaty regarding human rights that Thailand signed to be a member is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. It attempts to eliminate any distinction, exclusion or restriction on the basis of sex and introduce all rights to be exercised equally to women regardless of their marital status. In accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Right Resolution, this agreement specifies the protection to women rights. The primary purpose of this convention is to entrench “the full and equal enjoyment by women of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to take effective action to prevent violations of these rights and freedom[vi]”.

Afterward, Optional Protocal to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was adopted as a side-agreement to the Convention. Thailand signed this agreement with the United Nations and it entered into force on December 22, 2000. It authorizes its parties to recognize the power of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to consider complaints from individuals.

IV. Hallmark Criminal Cases in Thailand

There are numerous criminal cases that draw attention from the international organizations including the United Nations and some organizations working on human rights protection. Therefore, it is beneficial to mention several cases in this paper.

Regarding disappearance of the suspects, witnesses, injured persons, or lawyers, it always occurs in Thailand. One of the important cases is the disappearance of Somchai Neelapaijit[vii], a Muslim lawyer in Thailand.

Mr. Somchai was working as a human rights lawyer in the Southern part of the country which majority of citizens in that areas are Muslims. He also was a chairman of the Muslim Lawyers Group and deputy chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Law Society of Thailand. He had learned that five suspects were treated by inhumane means, such as torturing and threatening by the police officers during their interrogation and examination.

On March 4, 2004, he tried to appeal to the Criminal Court in Bangkok for a fair treatment and for the order to transfer the suspects to other prison. He also sent numerous letters to some authorities in order to inform and demand for a fair treatment to the suspects.

However, his work seemed not to be successful. Rather, he was reported disappear[viii] on March 12, 2004. After his wife filed a complaint of the disappearance of Mr. Somchai, Prime Minister established a committee to investigate the case. On April 8, 2004 four police officers were found and charged as the suspects of Mr. Somchai’s disappearance.

Nevertheless, all of them were suddenly released on bail because it was difficult to charge the suspects with the serious criminal crime such as kidnapping or forced disappearance because of the absence of Mr. Somchai’s body. More than a year after his disappearance, the police officers who were accused of still were not brought to trial.

This case has called upon Thai government to concern that the provisions in the 1998 U.N. Declaration on Human Rights Defenders still have not been practical and effective in Thailand. Some law scholars suggested that the police should not be entrusted to investigate themselves because Thai police were often an obstacle to the prosecution of members of the force. This case also revealed the traditional behavior and pattern of most Thai police, which need to be changed immediately[ix].

Then, regarding mass murder, there were several bloody actions in Southern area of Thailand including 2004 Tak Bai Massacre[x]. On October 25, 2004, after about 2000 strong protesters demanding the release of six detainees in front of a police station in Tak Bai district of Narathiwat Province, security personnel from many army and police officers tried to control by shooting and arresting them (see fig. 1). As a result, seven protesters were shot dead while at least 1,300 persons were arrested and loaded into army vehicles.

Later, they were packed on the truck and transported to an army detention in Pattani province and 78 of them were suffocated and were crushed to death (see fig. 2). After this, Manit Suthaporn, the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Justice stated that the victims suffocated because they were piled on top of each other.

Thai government appointed a committee to investigate this case. Accordingly, the fact-finding committee reported that the dispersing methods including the firing of live ammunition and the army conscripts that the soldiers and police officers were improper and non-conformity. Also, the chief officers failed to command and monitor the transportation of the protesters to the custody.

One of the detainees proclaimed that he has been piled up in three layers among 80 persons within one military truck and if they moved their head, the soldiers would hit them by their rifles. Even though the National Human Rights Commission investigated and stated that the authorities contravened the protesters’ rights, no one has been charged with any criminal offences.

This tragedy was interested by several international human rights organizations. Asia Human Rights Watch expressed that since the Tak Bai killings were an extremely shocking event and no one has been prosecuted yet, Thai government has to bring responsibility police and military personnel to justice.

Also, there was a report that since the coup against the former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra in September 2006 there have been approximately 20 cases killing, torture, and excessive use of violation committed by the authorities of the nation against Muslim in the south. However, nothing has been done except for holding several procedural meeting by the committee, although it gave an assurance to bring those responsible to justice and trial

Besides, the Director of Asian Human Rights Watch additionally indicated that it was not sufficient for the government just to compensate the victims or their family because it was not the way to free Thai authorities from being prosecuted and it is essential for Thai officials to commence a prompt, nondiscriminatory, independent, and effective investigation into all these cases.

In spite of the fact that there have been numerous laws, regulations, and international treaties that attempt to eliminate human rights problems in Thailand, it is more crucial that not only Thai authorities but also Thai people must realize the consequences of the violation of human rights and remove all inhumane traditional pattern of the authorities during the arrest and investigation.

In sum, if the authorities of the country themselves do not respect legal procedure; they might not be able to protect and bring justice to the population of the country which is their primary duty.

[1] Section 28 “The following persons are entitled to institute criminal prosecution in court:

(1) The public prosecutor:

(2) The injured person.”

[2] Section 34 “A non-prosecution order does not bar the right of the injured person himself or herself to institute a prosecution”

[3] Section 162 “…(1) in case where a private person is a prosecutor, the court shall make a preliminary examination

(2) In the case entered by the Public Prosecutor, the court need not hold a preliminary examination, but it may do so if it thinks it fit.”

[4] Section 40 “A civil case in connection with an offence may be brought either in the court where the criminal case is being tried or in the court competent to try the civil cases…”

[5] Section226 “Any material, documentary, or oral evidence likely to prove the guilt of the innocent of the accused is admissible, provided it be not obtained through any inducement, promise, threat, deception, or other unlawful means; such evidence shall be produced in accordance with the provisions on this Code or other law governing production of evidence”

[6] Section 134 “When suspect is summoned or brought or appears voluntarily before the inquiry official or when a person appearing before him happens to be suspect, inquiry official shall ask his or her name, nationality, protection, parent, age, profession, place of resident and place of birth, and inform him of the offense charged, and he or she shall be made aware that whatever he or she says may be used as evidence against him or her in the court of law.”

[7] Article 14 (3) “In the deter of any criminal charge against him, everyone shall be entitled to the following minimum guarantees, in full equality:

(a) To be in form promptly and in detail in a language which he understands of the nature and cause of the charge against him;

(b) To have adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defense and to communicate with counsel of his own choosing;

(d) To be tried in his presence, and to defend himself in person through legal assistance of his own choosing; to be inform, if he does not have legal assistance assigned to him, in any case where the interests of justice so require, and without payment by him in any such case if he does not have sufficient means to pay for it;

(e) To examine, or have examined, the witnesses against him…

(f) To have the free assistance of an interpreter…

(g) Not to be compelled to testify against himself or to confess guilt.”

[i] Http://www.thailawforum.com/articles/reformation2.html

[ii] Http://www.mineaction.org/hr_treaties.asp?c=26&t

[iii] Kanokpan Kalyanasuta, The Criminal Justice System and Community-based Treatment of Offenders in Thailand

[iv] Http://www.udhr.org/udhr/udhr.HTM

[v] Http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/ccpr.htm

[vi] Http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/cedawopprot-2000.html

[vii] Http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/somchai/

[viii] Http://www.article2.org/mainfile.php/0503/

[ix] Http://www.thaingo.org/cgi-bin/content/content3/show.pl?0764

[x] Http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2007/10/23/thailand-three-years-no-justice-massacre