Page 31 - Dignity and justice for all of us our voices are heard in Thailand

Article 3

“Human dignity is not an artificial value; rather,

it is one of the values that make us truly Thai”

Commentary Mr. Chanchao Chaiyanukit

As a person who has a long working society between the use of authority on one
experience with the Thai justice system, Mr. hand, and the respect for the rights and
Chanchao Chaiyanukit, Deputy Permanent security of people’s lives on the other. This
Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, points out imbalance results from a lack of awareness
that inefficient police investigations coupled about human rights by most of society.
with a lack of viable witnesses and sound
evidence are the main reasons why guilty Mr. Chaiyanukit explains that despite the fact
parties have been able to escape justice in the that many different organizations have long
past. Finding witnesses and gathering been advocating for the respect of human
evidence are normally done only by police rights in Thailand, a major obstacle is the Thai
officers. However, in practice, this can also be people’s view that human rights is a concern
done by the victims themselves or anyone for mainly Western countries and does not
else who is related to the case, he explains. concern Thai society. Therefore, a major
challenge for human rights workers in this
From a human rights perspective, country is to help Thai people understand
Mr. Chaiyanukit considers that what that human dignity is not an artificial value;
happened to the couple from Ban Tab Sadao rather, it is one of the values that make them
highlights the existing imbalance in Thai truly Thai.

Our Voices are Heard in Thailand 19