Pornthip Rojanasunand vs. the NRC | 4.10.05

Ever so delicately, Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunand gave a voice — a whimper, really — to the boiling discontent with the NRC:

พญ. คุณหญิงพรทิพย์ กล่าวถึงการทำงานของคณะกรรมการอิสระเพื่อความสมานฉันท์แห่งชาติ(กอส.) ว่า ตนยังติดใจว่าภาพลักษณ์ที่ผ่านมาของ กอส. เกิดจากบทบาทของ กอส.เอง หรือสื่อไปทำให้เป็นอย่างนั้น เพราะที่ผ่านมา กอส. ทำให้ประชาชนรู้สึกว่า ปกป้องเฉพาะผู้สูญเสียที่เป็นคนมุสลิม ดังนั้นถ้าจะให้เกิดความยุติธรรม กอส. ที่เป็นมุสลิม ต้องกล้าออกมาตำหนิคนพวกเดียวกันที่ทำผิด ต้องไม่เลือกเขาเลือกเรา กอส.ถึงจะทำงานได้ ซึ่งจากที่รับฟังชาวไทยพุทธในพื้นที่ตอนนี้ต่างก็ไม่พอใจ กอส. ทั้งๆ ที่ กอส.เองก็พยายามทำให้เกิดความสมานฉันท์ แต่สิ่งที่ออกมามันสื่อได้แค่ว่าเขาปกป้องมุสลิมเท่านั้น

Dr. Khunying Pornthip said of the work of the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) that she still has a question about the image that the NRC has so far projected: whether it arises from the NRC’s own role or the media makes it so. Because so far the NRC has made people feel that [it] protects only the victims that are Muslims. Therefore if justice is to prevail, the NRC [members] who are Muslims must have courage to come out and criticize their fellows who do wrong. [They] must not be partisan in order for the NRC to work. From what [she] hears, Buddhist Thais in the area are all dissatisfied with the NRC. Even though the NRC itself tries to build reconciliation, but what has appeared indicates that it only protects Muslims.

Dr. Pornthip is the Justice Ministry forensic expert who became a household name thanks to her work in a number of high profile murder cases and, at least equally important, her unorthodox appearance. The cabinet promoted her to full directorship of the Central Institute of Forensic Science today after her overlong status as “acting director” (Really director-in-waiting — waiting for her seniority to catch up with her superstardom. Don’t ask, it’s the Thai way.)

In fairness to all concerned, I should say that Dr. Pornthip did criticize the government, too, in the same speech. But according to the Matichon report, it was quite mild and mostly not even directed at this particular government, which has been the subject of much more inflammatory accusations on this issue (not least from the NRC). The demigods of Reconciliation™, on the other hand, have been largely beyond reproach. With her comments, Dr. Pornthip has touched the untouchables.

Back in July, BusinessWeek profiled her as one of Asia’s “agenda setters”:

Dubbed “Dr. Death” by the local media, the 50-year-old Porntip is known as an outspoken, independent-minded examiner — and a real agenda-setter in human rights in Asia.

Unfortunately, this snippet says much more about the BW reporter than the good doctor, whom the Thai public popularly and invariably refers to as “(คุณ)หมอพรทิพย์” (“Doc(tor) Pornthip”). Unconventional though her appearance may be, I don’t think she’d appreciate being called “Dr. Death”, particularly given that she’s battling cancer. A quick Google search turns up this Nation article:

Dubbed “Dr Death” by the foreign media, Pornthip’s good reputation is tied to her expertise in handling high-profile forensic investigation cases, such as the suspected murder of Hangthong Thammawattana, the Tak Bai tragedy involving Muslim detainees and, most recently, the identification of tsunami victims. [Emphasis added.]

Local, foreign. He blamed her, she blamed him. I say blame them both for their desperate urge to sensationalize stories, the truth be damned.

Still, despite its flaws (and there’s a much more serious one that I won’t mention here), the BusinessWeek article has an interesting quote from Dr. Pornthip that I have no reason to doubt. “I just try to do the right thing every day. It’s my Buddhist belief.”

So the Bohemian physician does turn out to be conventional in spiritual matters. That makes a lot of sense, actually. And now that she’s spoken out against the NRC (albeit very gingerly) and been promoted by the government (led by a doctor in criminology), would the media types feel free to portray her as a hard-line, blood-thirsty, populist Buddhist-Nationalist?

Maybe not. But then again, she is called “Dr. Death” for a reason, right?

19:43 ▪ politics

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1

post staffer 5.10.05

I have been reading a book about the post-tsunami work of volunteers at วัดย่านยาว, where Pornthip Rojanasunand was based.

Almost every interview with a volunteer mentions Dr Pornthip in glowing terms; she also turns up often in the book’s many photographs.

My friends regard her as a hero (or heroine). Such was the general clamour that a few months ago I decided I had better read one of the many books she has written about her life and work in pathology.

I saw her picture on the cover of one book, and rushed to buy it, only to discover later that this one was actually written by her husband - who spends much of his book talking about his wife, of course.

Egads. Seems everyone in that family’s a star. I exchanged the book for one by the good doctor herself. I don’t know where she finds the time to write, talk to the media, squabble with politicians, examine bodies - and get her hair done as well.

2

Tom Vamvanij 5.10.05

Post staffer:

I think you’re touching upon an issue that I intentionally avoided in the post, which was in danger of being too lengthy and unfocused.

Yes, Dr. Pornthip is a cult figure, much like Anand Panyarachun and Prawese Wasi. Most Thais know these media darlings as “good people” (“คนดี”) who deserve complete public trust and whose every utterance must be heeded, if not unquestioningly followed. As the highest accolade of the land, they have to be profiled ad nauseam in glossy women’s magazines, too. (Dr. Pornthip even writes for one.)

For every action, however, there’s a reaction. I hear our good doctor is not that popular in the medical circle. I’m lukewarm about her myself, just as, I think, you and numerous other independent-minded people are. Not that we’ll ever hear about that in the media, which is so engrossed in their own fantasies.

But hey, at least she’s not a terror apologist. For such a popular public figure (who clearly wishes to remain popular), and given the stranglehold the media, the NRC, and the NGOs have on what is considered enlightened thinking, that’s quite an achievement!

3

poststaffer 5.10.05

I have seen the doctor’s column. From memory, she wrote about travel a lot. Seems she finds time for that, too.

I would like to know what happens to the Thai media consumer’s psyche when a media darling - someone whose word they accepted uncritically, as you say - takes a fall.

The media plays a willing part in boosting the profile of such people, of course. Some of our people should really be working in public relations, not as journalists.

I still find it a mystery, for example, that we should refer to Prawese Wasi as a ”senior statesman” or ”’learned thinker” or whatever today’s buzzword is. I used to cut it out when I found it in copy, but fatigue overcame me in the end, so now I just relent and let the journalists here have their way.

We also have this irritating habit of referring to old people as ”Grandma” or ”Grandpa” this or that, especially in the context of little people-versus-the state stories.

This has the effect of making their often far-from-benign statements seem quaint and rather charming. The government has no such kind, avuncular image; it’s just the government, cruel and heartless as always.

Once again, I tried cutting all that schmaltz out, but then I saw the same folksy nicknames cropping up in the Thai language media so I decided I had better be nice to the grey-haired ones and leave their quaint nicknames alone.

When we run a talking-heads story (people banging on, usually in response to this or that callous government decision, when we have nothing original to say), sometimes our talking heads have no cute monickers, so we have to resort to other subtle means to let our readers know whether we approve.

So, X or Y talking head becomes a ”highly respected academic”, or a ”senior department official”.

Those indicators are for the truly stupid, of course….those who don’t already know that just as our talking heads have a line, so too do our reporters.

4

Tom Vamvanij 5.10.05

Post Staffer:

If I ever acquire a controlling stake in Post Publishing Group, I’d make you Editor of the Bangkok Post. That’s assuming, of course, that the media mob does’t lynch me first.

I still find it a mystery, for example, that we should refer to Prawese Wasi as a ”senior statesman” or ”’learned thinker” or whatever today’s buzzword is. I used to cut it out when I found it in copy, but fatigue overcame me in the end, so now I just relent and let the journalists here have their way.

No mystery there. He has to be presented as someone worthy of being transcribed, but he’s not an “academic” and is too old to be a “democracy activist”. Currently, though, he has a legitimate mini bully pulpit as the vice chairman of the NRC. If the media is smart, they’ll stick to that title.

We also have this irritating habit of referring to old people as ”Grandma” or ”Grandpa” this or that, especially in the context of little people-versus-the state stories.

Don’t forget Nong for anyone under 25 years old.

Anyway, hang in there. You’ll like my super-jumbo post about Thai newspapers.

5

post staffer 6.10.05

I was surprised when I read Prawese Wasi was vice-chairman of the NRC. The first couple of times I read it in the Post, I thought it must be wrong, and dismissed the thought as just some Thai journalist’s wishful thinking.

Then I read it somewhere else (probably here), and realised the awful truth. What an obvious attempt to curry public favour, and lend this outfit instant media legitimacy!

Instant and superficial, like the รองท้อง effect of eating the ghastly Ma-ma.

I think we should leave the ‘respected social critic’ alone. For the sake of fresher looking news copy, the Journalists’ Association should hold a national ‘Erase K Prawese’s Number From Our Contact Books’ Day.

I think a national movement is required, because I am sure his number must be known by every journalist in the land wanting a talking head insta-quote.

As for K Prawese, I am sure he would be the first to agree that he’s had his 10 minutes in the sun, and it’s time to give someone else a go.

Er…what’s that, Mr Prawese? อ้าว ไม่เห็นด้วยเหรอ

6

Tom Vamvanij 6.10.05

Post Staffer:

We’re not alone:

หมอประเวศ
เริ่มเบื่อหมอประเวศแล้วครับ เข้าทำนองออกมาบ่อยๆ ก็เริ่มเฝือ นี่เล่นออกข่าวเกือบทุกวัน ยิ่งมีสร้อยท้ายว่าเป็นราษฎรอาวุโส มันเลยดูแบ่งแยกชนชั้นยังไงก็ไม่รู้ อ่านแล้วนึกถึง First Citizen ที่ฮิตเลอร์ใช้เรียกตัวเองเลย จริงๆ ผมไม่ค่อยชอบขาประจำที่ออกมาวิจารณ์รัฐบาลเท่าไร เพราะ 1. ชอบติแต่ไม่เสนอทางแก้ 2. ถ้าอยากมีส่วนร่วมกับบ้านเมือง คุณต้องกล้าที่จะทำงาน และยอมรับคำวิจารณ์กลับด้วย รัฐธรรมนูญเปิดโอกาสให้ตั้งมาก ถ้าไม่อยากยุ่งกับพรรค ก็ไปเป็นสว. ซึ่งคนอย่างหมอประเวศ หรือธีรยุทธมีหรือจะไม่ได้ ไม่ชอบที่ออกมาพูดผ่านสื่อแล้วพอโดนตอบกลับ ก็กลายเป็นรัฐบาลไม่ฟังนักวิชาการไป

ขาประจำคนใหม่ที่เพิ่งโผล่มาก็คือ ดร. สุเมธ แต่ขานี้มีคำว่า “ชัยพัฒนา” แปะอกอยู่ คงไม่ค่อยมีใครกล้าแตะเท่าไร นี่ละน้าเมืองไทย เบื่อ

As I told you, there are independent minds out there.

7

post staffer 6.10.05

Well done, Tom. Loved the First Citizen reference.

มันเลยดูแบ่งแยกชนชั้นยังไงก็ไม่รู้…quite right, and despite being the professed egalitarian that he is, I am sure the good doctor rather likes references to himself as ราษฎรอาวุโส

Didn’t think the day would come when I would ever say this, but: thank God for blogs!

An independent voice is like a 5deg drop in Bangkok’s air temperature (accompanied by a strong, cool breeze): just lovely.

8

post staffer 6.10.05

Tom, you must have hit a nerve. In his Channel 9 show ถึงลูกถึงคน last night, broadcaster สรยุทธ สุทัศนะจินดา interviewed หมอพรทิพย์ about the South, including her comments about the image of the NRC.

You can see a replay at Channel 9’s website. Don’t know how to leave the page link, as it’s a pop-up, but the website is here:

http://modernine.mcot.net/

Look under Modernine รายกานเด่น

9

Tom Vamvanij 6.10.05

Here’s a link to Sorrayut’s interview with Dr. Pornthip.

Methinks you need a better browser, Post Staffer.

10

poststaffer 6.10.05

I feel I gave your readers a bum steer, Tom. I didn’t hear anything new in the Pornthip interview, after a promising opening.

The interview went on for so long I was in danger of falling asleep at the ironing board (I have to iron and watch at the same time, or I don’t get time to colour and style my hair the way Pornthip does. I, too, want to be noticed).

11

Tom Vamvanij 6.10.05

I tuned out when, in an attempt to untouch the untouchables and reaffirm herself as a respectable People’s Person™, Lady Doctor said Anand Panyarachun is the hero of her heart (“วีรบุรุษในดวงใจ” or something like it).

12

poststaffer 6.10.05

I could think of nothing more self-debasing than aligning myself to what the masses think, and re-affirm that loyalty day after day, as the masses change their fickle hearts.

Still, if the masses still like Thaksin, despite the bad rap he gets from academics and the media, then they can’t be all bad.

I’m pinning my hopes on the fact that Thais (like people all over) admire strong leaders such as Thaksin. Anand’s woolly brand of peacemaking just doesn’t cut it when our soldiers are getting slain down South.

Overseas, opposition parties would have called for a commission of inquiry (or some other lofty-sounding bipartisan thing) by now, to undercut - oops, underpin - the government’s efforts to tackle the violence.

Here, the NRC fulfils a similar democratic function (and can actually help defray criticism of the government’s efforts).

However, I wonder if its report to the government will include minority or dissenting views.

Call me a sceptic, but I am sure the NRC will be at pains to point out that the minority view on solving the violence belongs to the government alone.

13

poststaffer 6.10.05

Let’s do that again, shall we?

I could think of nothing more self-debasing than having to align myself to what the masses think, and re-affirm that loyalty day after day, as the masses change their fickle hearts.

Reads better.