Unfair law enforcement, political bias fuel social division

Many of the fundamental problems afflicting this country can be traced to one common cause – biased law enforcement that favours whoever happens to be in power. This perennial injustice has for decades been a source of dissatisfaction and anger among citizens.

It’s a common feeling that one is being unfairly treated and taken advantage of in a society that favours the well connected, the wealthy and the powerful. Many of us have witnessed authorities ignoring the letter of law while under the influence of money or political power.

At times these double standards are blamed for the damaging political conflict that has gripped Thailand for the past decade. “Without justice and fair treatment there will be no reconciliation,” a columnist in another newspaper wrote recently. It’s easy to agree with this statement, regardless of which side of the political divide you’re on. But the problem is in complaining about the law being biased when the political party you support is not in power, and then seeing nothing wrong when your party is elected and the same double standard proves beneficial. Rather than basing judgement on common sense or fact, prejudice and personal gain become yardsticks with which to measure the justice system.

Law-enforcement officials make the issue more complex by favouring people in power, either through fear of losing their job or in the hope of benefiting somehow, or both. Arrests were made this week in connection with the violence surrounding the political unrest of 2010, and others have come that relate to the anti-government street protests last November until the May 22 coup.

There are those who regard the suspected “men in black” now in custody as scapegoats. Some politicians deny there were any armed paramilitaries among the protesters at all. Overall, though, we can’t help but wondering why it took so long – and a change of government – for the police to make arrests. No such eagerness was evident when the politicians who are complaining now were ruling the country.

Deputy national police chief Pol General Somyot Pumpunmuang, who heads an investigation that has now led to more than 100 arrests, has acknowledged that his force took no action on any political cases for the past four years. “Nobody did it,” he told the press, despite mounting evidence and, in some cases, confessions.

Citizens should not help legitimise the practice of unfair treatment and double standards by politicians and law-enforcement authorities. We should rely on common sense in making judgements and should avoid being blinded by our political preferences and selfishness.

Armed with common sense and accurate information, people can decide for themselves whether their favourite politicians and parties are right or wrong on specific issues. We must never assume that “our” side is always right, and that the other is always wrong.

By dropping our bias and blind affections, we will see things more clearly. If enough citizens do so, everyone will reap the reward of a less divided society.