Bangkok: Mr. Pichai Rattadilok Na Phuket, Director of the Doctoral Program in Politics and Development Strategy at NIDA, recently took to Facebook to share a thought-provoking message regarding the definition of "crime" in Thai society. He referenced a quote by contemporary philosopher Noam Chomsky that states, "For those in power, 'crime' is often something committed by others."
According to Thai News Agency, Pichai's post underscores the power imbalances prevalent in society, where right and wrong are often dictated not by moral principles but by the authority of the speaker. Those in positions of power have the ability to label others as wrongdoers while avoiding scrutiny themselves. This scenario highlights a justice system skewed in favor of the powerful, where justice is not a balanced scale but a tool reflecting the interests of those in control.
Pichai elaborates on how those in power often cloak their actions in the language of law, morality, and public interest. However, beneath this rhetoric lies the true influence of power, which subtly dictates what is deemed "wrong" and who is deserving of punishment. In such a society, the misdeeds of ordinary citizens are magnified to appear as threats to social order, while the transgressions of state entities, elites, and influential institutions are softened with terms like "necessity" or "strategy," thereby masking the underlying injustices.
His statement serves not as a call for hate against those in authority but as a reminder to critically evaluate the narratives set forth by those in power. He suggests that what is often presented as 'truth' may merely be the version of truth that power permits, and what is labeled a 'crime' might not inherently be evil, but rather an act committed by individuals without the power to redefine it.
Pichai argues that democracy cannot thrive solely through elections; it necessitates a citizenry that dares to question authority, to scrutinize who writes and enforces the rules, and who remains above these rules. When society allows power to monopolize the definition of crime, true justice erodes, leaving behind a selective process targeting only those without power.
He points out that many people are more disturbed by injustices sugar-coated with polite language because they disguise inequality as normalcy. In such an environment, the powerless are subject to intense scrutiny while the powerful evade similar examination.
By invoking Chomsky's quote, Pichai emphasizes that morality should not be entrusted to those wielding power. Once power monopolizes the definition of good, evil becomes a label for adversaries, while the misdeeds of the powerful are cleansed by their position and rhetoric of righteousness.
Ultimately, Pichai asserts that a just society is one that dares to hold those above the law accountable with the same rigor as it does ordinary citizens. Democracy can only be safeguarded when people challenge the notion that "those in power are always right," and consistently question who truly has the authority to define crime in the nation.