The winners and losers of the Bangkok blast—Adrian Lee Yuen Beng

AUG 20 — The Bangkok blast becomes another example of how human weaknesses can bring about misery to innocent lives. Detonating an explosive in a congested and holy space demonstrates the callousness and complete disregard towards the sanctity of human lives. Whatever the motives were behind the bombing, all it took was seconds of insanity that led to a lifetime of pain and misery for many.

I didn’t know the victims of the blast and have never visited Bangkok. Yet, I am engulfed by feelings of despair and disbelief. Knowing that Malaysians were amongst the many victims brought about a sense of sorrow and familiarity. Everything seemed too surreal as it always happens to “someone else far away”.

“Too sudden and unexpected” read one tribute amongst the midst of messages posted on social media. Many of those who posted such tributes similarly didn’t know the victims yet shared the same sense of familiarity. Perhaps this is a bond shared by most Malaysians during times of distress.

I felt too distraught and refrained from reading the news updates, looking at photographs and viewing videos of the blasts shared online. It just seemed too heart breaking. Why? Just why did this have to happen?

No one chooses to be a victim of unfortunate circumstances, of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet, no one can rationalise why the innocent often gets caught in a confrontation he or she has absolutely no interest in. But surely, no one has the right to take the lives of other human beings.

Throughout history, murder appears to be the one thing that man consistently executes without fail. Over time, weapons are revolutionised for more efficient, violent and quicker kills. And only man continues searching for better ways to kill one another since Cain murdered Abel.

Millions of lives have been sacrificed in wars triggered by lust, pride, greed and jealousy. Armies have been sent into battle so that kings may have their lustful ways with a forbidden companion, villages pillaged for a kingdom’s expansion and cities demolished simply due to arrogance.

Depending on which side of the political divide one supports, history exalts individuals either as a “victor” or “conqueror” or labels one a bloodthirsty “criminal”. Wars declared in the past on the so-called “natives” are also justified as imperialism, empire building and colonisation.

Scores of ships, battalions of soldiers and tonnes of gunpowder have been launched and detonated in the name of progress. Whatever it’s academically termed, too much blood has been shed for certain individuals to be proclaimed as the greatest or possess the most wealth.

If history has taught us anything, it would be lessons on amnesiac violence and paradox for episodes of brutality and cruelty upon fellow humans have only worsened. The fact that the Bangkok blast occurred just days after the anniversary marking the end of World War Two simply meant that we have not learned anything from the past.

We claim to live in a time of greatest civil and human rights. Mankind however have become most vicious and cruel towards other human beings. 

Most rights are ignored during war. The 20^th century becomes the most violent era ever known. It is also understood that more lives have ever been lost during the twentieth century as compared to the entire course of recorded history.

Perhaps technology helps better chronicle historical events as news and information about wars and hostilities are systematically documented. It is also technology that allows for more efficient and extensive killings, as it appears that the weapons industry has a constant craving for human conflict, misery and blood.

The 20^th century became a battlefield with the World Wars, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf Wars and various acts of genocide and massacre in Europe, Americas, Africa and Asia taking place. A quick online search for the worst dictators horrifyingly showed that most, if not all these tyrants existed during the 20^th century.

It is then said that justice and peace will prevail, as oppressive governments collapsed, dictatorial regimes overthrown and authoritarian monarchs dethroned. Yet, the violence continues without an end in sight.

Battles continue being fought due to ideological differences. Confrontations are renewed because of socio-political inequalities. Hostilities occur because of religious differences. “Thou shall not kill” is ignored as murderous acts are carried out to supposedly exalt His name. I truly wonder what God’s thoughts are about his name being used in vain?

The terrorising war on terror continues to terrorise only the innocent and disinterested individuals who have nothing to gain from these acts of violence. Most victims were heartlessly murdered when they were out to experience a good time, new sights or a new city.

In the end, who are the winners and losers of the Bangkok blast? Those on the losing end are the victims whose lives were so unjustly taken by those claiming to be fighting for justice. I cringe at the thought that their family members will never again get to see, touch, hold or hear their voices.

Because of this irresponsible act, someone has lost a father, a mother, a brother, a sister, a daughter, a son, a husband, a wife, a friend, or a colleague. The fact that their deaths would probably never be avenged or justified is most painful. The thought of loved ones having to come to terms with reality and moving on with life becomes a mammoth task and a living nightmare no one should ever be made to experience.

As the world mourns this unnecessary loss of lives, governments and societies are put onto high alert. As tears flow and questions are raised, the Bangkok blast is recorded as another unfortunate episode alongside New York, Mumbai, Bali, Boston, Moscow, Baghdad, Palestine, London and so forth. God forbid that another should occur.

So what have these violent acts accomplished? Thus far, the perpetrators who acted without a moral sense or conscience have only managed to pass on emotions of fear, anguish, pain, sorrow, sadness, grief, heartache, misery, and despair onto the victim’s friends and families. No, they never asked or ever wanted these.

And the winner…honestly, there isn’t one. Surely, the taking of another individual’s life is never pleasurable, ruining the lives and robbing anyone of his or her loved ones cannot be a blissful experience.

Everyone has lost in one way or another. Perhaps it’s time we understood the accuracy of Edwin Starr’s lyrics “War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!” Perhaps after decades, centuries and millenniums of fighting, it’s time that we could for once; simply just give peace a chance.

*This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.