The true cost of corruption
Has a good man been smeared? Did a good teen lose his way and venture into dealing the very drugs that he had once condemned? Did he resist arrest and, if so, why?
These are just some of the unpleasant questions I’ve had as I follow The Nation’s excellent March 24 coverage of the death of Chaiyapoom Pasae.
While it’s possible that we will never find all of the answers to these disturbing questions, one thing is for certain: We are now witnessing the true cost of corruption. Suspicious deaths become all the more suspicious in a world that is steeped in corruption. While an uncorrupt environment allows us to extend the benefit of the doubt, a corrupt environment is made of nothing but doubt.
Yet, it must be remembered that people are full of surprises. I’ve seen many good men fall from grace and even a few bad ones change their ways. Yes, we should ask questions but we must also remember that the soldier who killed Chaiyapoom is innocent until proven otherwise.
Jason A Jellison
Bangkok
