BANGKOK: Activists in Thailand are demanding strong penalties against soldiers seen in a video that went viral using brutality and violence in the country. A number of activists told Bikyanews.com that the government and armed forces must do more to ensure these actions do not happen again. “We are watching closely the military's moves here and hope that justice will be served,” said one activist in Bangkok. The Defense Ministry is responding, saying it will take harsh action against soldiers involved in beating up army conscripts, ministry spokesman Col Thanathip Sawangseang said on Monday. One assault was videod and the clip posted on social networks last week. It shows soldiers slapping and repeatedly kicking a draftee – even when he was on the ground – who had reportedly breached discipline by fighting with another conscript. The video attracted harsh criticism from the public. Another video clip emerged later showing two army recruits stripped, tied and beaten up. The explanation with the1.36 minute clip posted online roughly translates as “punishment for smoking and lying 18+”. It was posted on YouLike facebook fan page and shows two young soldiers being stripped, their hands and legs tied with rope and then being beaten by a group of men. Defense Minister Sukumpol Suwanathat, on Monday chaired a meeting to discuss the issue, the spokesman said. “The ministry will see to it that the soldiers are punished for their actions,” Col Thanathip said after the meeting. Col Thanathip agreed the videos portray a bad image of the army and the ministry. He said the only punishments allowed for disciplinary offenses by a soldier are probation, fines, detention and confinement. While there are some training camps where work is required to change the “mindset” of ranking officers towards the treatment of conscripts, most of the camps and their commanding officers strictly abide by these rules, he said. “There is absolutely no tolerance for violence and anyone found guilty of it will be punished,” he said. “The ministry has issued a set of rules for ranking officers on the treatment of their subordinates and anyone found breaking them will be swiftly and harshly punished,” the ministry spokesman said. “New conscripts are important resources for the country and we have to make sure that they are treated with respect,” he added. Deputy army spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree issued an apology to the public. He said the trainers' actions were “inappropriate.” BN
