Bangkok - One side of the story

Got these in the mails and worth capturing at the backdrop of the unrest in Bangkok

Dear Everyone,

Before all else, I would like to apologize if by sending this email toyou I may have breached your privacy and political views. If it is –I am truly sorry. You may choose to delete it without reading anyfurther.You may have recently learned from the international media such as CNNor BBC, etc., about the situation in Thailand and more specificallythe situation in Bangkok. We have also seen those reports especiallythe ones on CNN and BBC, and are so disappointed by the inaccuraciesand gross oversight that they have displayed in reporting on thesituation. They have totally misrepresented the news to the extentthat we are starting to wonder whether in fact they are as unbiased asthey claim to be or rather that they should wish to choose an anglefrom which to report so as to gain the most exposure and sentimentamong their viewers and thereby achieve their desired economic gainswhilst totally disregarding responsible journalism.Yesterday, one of my friends, Reungvit Nandhabiwat, wrote a short noteon this thought which I think very accurately expressly ourdisappointment and frustration at those foreign press/media.I am writing to you today to implore you to please read through theshort note. Should the contents not be controversial to your ownvalues and views, and if you are a believer of truth and believefurther in the reporting of truth and responsible journalism, thenplease, would you be so kind as to help me forward it to a news agencyor news house or TV station or radio station in your internationalcommunity so that the fact can be heard and that the Government ofThailand headed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is fairly andtruthfully represented in the news to the eyes of the internationalcommunity.Lastly, if this email should not be in accordance with your personalvalues and views, please – by all means – do delete it. I apologizeagain for this intrusion into your privacy to ask for your help.

Very Best Regards,
Jiravich Nathalang - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Case Against the International Media’s Report on ThailandThis is going to be a long note, but I want my overseas friends tounderstand what has been happening here in Thailand. You would onlysee the soldiers' shooting scenes or injured people being carried awayon international TV channels for 30 seconds, but never got to knowabout the background. The truth is, the Thai government has been tooaccommodating by withholding the use of force since the rally started2 months ago (with the exception of 10th April event, when thesoldiers were ordered to move in without live weapons and subsequentlygot slaughtered by unknown gunmen shooting from the 'Red Shirt'protesters).The majority of us support the government in dealing with theterrorists hidden amongst the protesters. It held talks with therally leaders and offered peace solutions to them 10 days ago. ThePrime Minister publicly urged the protesters to disperse for fear ofviolence created by the terrorists. But the plan wasn't accepted.So, it's time to block food and water supplies entering the center ofthe protest. If the protesters were peaceful, they wouldn't rush outto throw rocks, firecrackers and even bombs at the soldiers' barricade-- thus, causing the soldiers to defend themselves by firing rubberbullets and live rounds.It has been very frustrating for the law-abiding citizen of Bangkok --we even voiced our dissatisfaction at the government for its failureto uphold the laws. The situation was like Bangkok was being held forransom. A lot of businesses got affected because it's right in themiddle of the major commercial area.Again, think what your government would do if there were a large groupof protesters blocking all traffic at Orchard Road in Singapore; TimesSquare in NYC; Ginza in Tokyo; or Knightsbridge in London for twomonths. They set up barricades to search through personal belongingsof everyone travelling through the area. Also think what it would doif those protesters invaded a nearby hospital, causing doctors &nurses to evacuate patients -- some of whom are newborn babies inincubators and those in ICU -- to other hospitals. And most importantof all, think what it would do if the protesters were found to havelarge stockpile of M79 grenades, M16 & AK47 assault rifles.Do you think your government would be as tolerant as the Thai government?

Reungvit NandhabiwatBusiness owner, Bangkok, Thailand15 May 2010

No comments: