Debate rages over Thai crime laws after recent cases

The discussions were partly because there have also been other cases of rape and murder recently, including yesterday’s case in Bangkok. 

Since day one in the teacher’s case, people and websites have shared graphic pictures of the crime scene and others campaigned for respect for the victim and her family. 

Yesterday, Mana Treelayapewat wrote on Facebook: I see no need to share the picture of a rape victim. That’s cruel. #JustSaying 

@l2ip: “Does [committing] murder + rape deserve death penalty? According to the law, there is already a death penalty for murder. We don’t need to campaign for that. But please do not allow commutation, despite confession.”

Many Thai netizens opined similarly. 

Some social media users shared tips on how women could protect themselves, some others condemned the rapists and men with abusive behaviours.

Joker shared a topic on Pantip.com’s Web board and wrote: “Many days ago, I saw the campaign Rape = Death Penalty but today [some people] are really into soap opera with such a strong rape culture.”

The person who first started the discussion on the Web board titled, “Applause for the emotional dramatic scenes of Raeng Tawan” wrote: “Let’s say I’m sorry. I might have been taken in by the drama. I know it’s not fun in real life and I don’t want it to happen in real life. Moreover, I never said I felt good for rape scenes.”

@jarpichit: “If Thai dramas paid attention to the rescue scenes such as CPR, when someone was drowning, bitten by a snake, electrocuted as much as rape scenes, that will be good.” 

In fact, Thai online users are not only discussing rape and murder, but they are also paying attention to the problems of law enforcement.

Taetae Pensiri: Two years ago this day I posted about the tragedy of a rape case when a Thai railway officer raped and threw the body of the poor victim out of the train window while the train was still running. Such tragedies still occur every year. It’s the sweet Teacher Iew who is the latest victim this year. The murderers are more cruel but Thai laws are still the same. ... If these lessons don’t have any impact on Thai laws, we have to depend on ourselves and help protect each other. Let’s pray it won’t happen to us or our family. I’m not cursing, but if it occurs to a law enforcement person one day, maybe they will feel something.”

Online celebrity E-Jiab Liabduan posted about high-society figure Monta “Ying Kai” Yokratanakan, who filed complaints against many of her employees but ended up being charged with perjury (giving false information about a criminal offence implicating another person), attempted human trafficking, and lese majeste: “I don’t know how she was last night. I am worried if Mommy had good sleep; was the air-conditioner too cold? She is only used to sending others to jail. Now it’s her turn. What a pity.”

Yesterday afternoon, Namsifa Nam posted on Facebook: “Two-hundred police and military officers inspected van stations at the Victory Monument. They found the drivers with a lot of knives, weapons and Kratom leaves [Mitragynine] in the vans. ... Not only should police take harsh legal action, the Land Transport Department should also take away their licence. It’s not about denying them their occupation, but preventing others from following their example. This is public service.”