Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today that the killers of two Russian siblings and a family of three in Chon Buri have tarnished the reputation of Thailand and the Thai people and must be severely punished.
"They (the perpetrators) did not just kill two foreigners and three Thais; they have 'killed' the Thai people as a whole and have destroyed our efforts to build confidence among foreigners, causing damage to our country," the prime minister said, adding that he wanted to see the brutality of the crimes with his own eyes.
Anutin cut short his visit to Suphan Buri province and flew to Chon Buri to personally follow up on what he described as horrific crimes, allegedly committed by two ex-convicts identified only as "Pong" and "Thong" and their two accomplices.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rienthong Nanna, director of Mongkutwattana Hospital, blamed Thailand's weak judicial process and lax law enforcement for contributing to repeat violent offences.
Referring to the five murders in Chon Buri, he said the judicial process and law enforcement are often too lenient on criminals, at the expense of innocent people. He cited the popular phrase: "Since we cannot bring back the dead, we should offer an opportunity for villains to return to society."
Dr. Rienthong argued that execution is the only appropriate punishment for hardened criminals, adding that it is pointless to show them compassion, as advocated by some human rights groups.
Although the death penalty remains legal in Thailand, he said it is rarely carried out in practice. After courts hand down death sentences, he said, many convicts are later pardoned or have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
"Mercy should be shown to those who deserve it, not to former convicts who go on to kill three Thais and two Russians," Dr. Rienthong said, adding that Thailand should not be concerned about being perceived by other countries as barbaric.
