Sometimes we need evil to fight evil for good cause

Recently I called him on his personal number after a very long time to wish him well. He asked me to meet him at his safe house, The Davis Hotel. My main purpose was simply to persuade him to participate in my seminar with some renowned speakers, such as Professor Vicha Mahakhun, Dr Jessada Denduangbariphand (Ask Jate dot Com) and myself. I had already arranged everything for our grand event being held by my organisation (Centre for Thai Justice Research and Development - www.thaijustice.org). However, he seems to be very busy fighting corrupt people and I am still waiting for his confirmation.

I would say that I almost laugh and cry at every dramatic event he is involved in to bring justice to all Thais — not just because of his comedic style, but because the stories he brings to the public attention are deeply disappointing for all Thais. It's a scathing indictment of our civil services, police, politicians and even some judicial personnel.

As some of you might remember, I had a catchphrase in my previous column: “How do we police the police?”. If you care deeply enough, you will no longer be proud to wear a uniform as a policeman because the term has now become synonymous with bandits or malicious people, not as “people who uphold the law”!

Many might wonder how our country has come this far, surviving the pandemic as one of the big spenders in Asia — money spent in both fighting the disease and subsidies and other kinds of financial support for the needy. I almost always say that our country might be protected by some miracles and we could build " a street of gold " if those rogue officers and bad people are removed or finished off. So, I must say, I totally support Chuwit’s actions and he should be called " corruption buster " from now on. I say this because just the other day, I saw a group of farmers and other professionals gather around Government House on the day when Chuwit had sought a meeting with the PM. Many ordinary people filed petitions with him instead of piling them on the shelves of the government's complaint bureau. It is a clear reflection on the failure of the establishment and the authorities, who are unable to remedy the troubles of the people.

Chuwit, in my own opinion, cannot be categorised as a ‘national hero’, as of now, but I believe, and the people in the corridors of power are aware too, that he could soon be more popular than the PM himself.

I was surprised by the results put out by many pollsters recently about the popularity of the PM aspirants, even before the election decree has been issued. At present, it is time to ensure that the pollsters are unbiased and do their work ethically. But do I really need recommendations from pollsters on who should become our next prime minister?

Personally, I am confident Chuwit could be one of the contenders, and could emerge as the leader of
leaders if he successfully prosecutes all the cases he is pursuing right now.

Chuwit’s macho behaviour might not please many who once scorned him as a massage parlour owner and a convict. Some even called him one of the bad guys. I once asked him how he felt when people called him such derogatory names! He told me bygones are bygones and he could not change the past, and we have to live for the “here and now”. That’s why he pursues justice for all rather than continue in murky businesses as in the past.

Sparks flew when he faced off with Santhana Prayoonrat, the sacked former Special Branch police officer some days ago at the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Headquarters. I have never known Santhana directly, but I know many of his relatives.

Every time I have to make a decision, I always weigh the “pros and cons” before making the judgement.

Lately there have been claims about huge corrupt practices at the Ministry of Transport. Chuwit has
accused several individuals, including Transport Minister Saksiam Chidchob, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul — a likely PM candidate of Bhumjaithai Party — and Newin Chidchob, the owner of Buriram United Football Club and the former right-hand man of Thaksin Shinawatra.

I listened carefully and tried to understand what Chuwit was saying in his press conference. His presentation may not be flawless, but the message was clear: he tried to convince us that there was something wrong in the management of this important ministry. As an academic, I have never trusted anything upfront without deep study and further investigation till all issues are clarified. I decided to turn to my legal counsellors, whom I always trust, to help me understand all the clues. I am sorry to say but I leave it to the judge to justify if there was any corrupt practice in the recent auction of ‘the Orange Line railway’. My legal team and I believe that there was likely some evidence for further scrutiny, in the same manner that the justice system has to identify if a case should be prosecuted under the court procedure.

One wise man whom I respect and who is among those I first met when I flew back from the UK in 2006, is Sondhi Limthongkul, the owner of Manager daily. I used to write to him with my perspectives on his articles and also sent him my own articles discussing the police when I studied in Oxford. I think he used the pen name " Xiang Xao Long "  (could be a Kung Fu fighter), but he has never admitted to it. I spent about half a day talking about everything that came up in my brain. He really was an adorable person and a well-rounded personality. Strangely enough, he suddenly appears to stand beside Anutin, Newin Chidchob and their clan, especially on the issue of cannabis, amid Chuwit’s claims against them, and is staunchly defending them.

These are phenomenon happening in Bangkok, as we get closer to the day when PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will announce the dissolution of the House of Representatives, paving the way for the next general election. It is still not clear when exactly the election will be held, but it is clear that the next PM must deal with the corrupt practices and the corrupt people in our country and the government system.

I just hope that this will not take too long and our new national hero will soon get rid of them, unfazed by fear or foe.

Amorn Wanichwiwatana, DPhil (Oxon), is a former member of the Constitution Drafting Commission and a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University.