LETTERS
Is there any reasonable explanation for the delay in opening the Saphan Taksin BTS extension to Thonburi, other than a photo-op?
Months ago the reason stated was that the tracks had not been tested.
My information tells me all stations have been completed and tracks have been laid for many months. In the meantime traffic backs up from the entrance to the bridge on the Thonburi side to the intersection at Surasak on the other side of the river.
It is my humble opinion that the opening is waiting only for another massive ribbon-cutting ceremony in the forthcoming months.
In the meantime, what about the poor commuter? Doesn't he count in this society?
Donald Duck
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WHAT GOOD ARE ELECTIONS?
Wading through the various figures reported, I gather that there are about 60,000 people involved in the current PAD/Thai government struggle, including police and anti-PAD elements. Even if it were twice that amount, that is still only two tenths of one percent of the population of Thailand, about 60 million people.
Of course, there are a great many people in Thailand reading about the events and watching and listening through other media, but I feel the interest level is not that great, a fact pointed out in one recent Bangkok Post editorial.
It is a bit like a sports event, isn't it, with the spectators casually checking on the score updates daily?
If two tenths of one percent of the population cannot accept election results and they use that discontent to disrupt the government, turning national politics into a sporting free-for-all, what good are elections?
When there is another government, what will stop another two tenths of one percent of the population from disrupting that government?
It would appear that about 90 percent of Thai media coverage has been hijacked by two tenths of one percent of the Thai population, and that more than 99 percent of Thailand is forced, unwillingly, to participate.
If the Thai media does not start supporting, unabashedly, the results of the last national election, it will be directly responsible for turning Thai politics into a sporting field for the anarchists, the two tenths of one percent who are pulling the strings on the Thai media puppets, and directly responsible for giving us an endless cycle of what we have now.
Michael Baker
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SILENCE IS A SIN
It seems to me that army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda is virtually the sole leader focusing on a long-term solution to the nation's present crisis, for he says that the military and police will maintain law and order without resorting to harsh means against protesters, that only legal and democratic means should be used to solve the stand-off, and that Parliament should ultimately be responsible for finding such a solution.
Very strange words from an army general, but most welcome.
PM Samak, on the other hand, wants to impose peace by force of the emergency decree, saying that all will be normal afterwards - as if his drive to amend the constitution to let the PPP off the hook - if it is found guilty of vote-buying - wasn't key to causing the current crisis.
As for the PAD, contrast Maj-Gen. Chamlong's protestations of non-violence with the long batons waved by his supporters before they clashed with equally well-armed pro-government UDD members.
And Khun Sondhi's sense of democracy seems rather twisted when he demands the right for the PAD to name the prime minister regardless of what the majority wants.
Abraham Lincoln said, "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men."
Nuts they may be, but at least the PAD has spoken out.
But what about you, dear reader? We are in crisis. If you don't speak out now, when?
Burin Kantabutra
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BEWARE OF FAKE MONKS
I would like to bring to the attention of tourists and visitors to Bangkok what appears to be fake Buddhist monks soliciting cash donations from foreigners in the vicinity of lower Sukhumvit Road between Nana and Phrom Phong. I have been approached numerous times in the last week. When I questioned local Thais about this it was confirmed that they are fake.
It should be noted that Thai monks do not take monetary donations in this fashion. I challenged one to tell me which Wat he was associated with and he abruptly ran away.
If you are feeling generous and would like to donate to a worthy cause, take the subway to Hua Lumpong. There is a temple next to the exit. A cash donation of 500 baht, for which you will be given an official receipt, will pay for a coffin and burial shroud for a poor person. You will also be guided through a ceremony involving lighting incense and offering prayers at the temple.
Whilst there are numerous scams that can catch the unwary, using the guise of a monk is deplorable and I hope the authorities take action.
Scott Moore
Sydney
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MEDIA RELEVANCE STILL QUESTIONED
Ben Levin (Sep 1, 2008) did an excellent job responding to the column by Imtiaz Muqbil which quoted Ramesh Thakur (Soul Searching, 31 Aug), providing many interesting points: the Western media saved two million Muslims in Kosovo; the Western media stood up for the rights of a million free-thinking Iranians; the Western media stood up for the rights of Middle Eastern Jews; and the Western media has given hundreds of millions of dollars to the Palestinians. I believe, however, the message of Ramesh Thakur, echoed by Imtiaz Muqbil, is that all the points from Ben Levin are completely irrelevant here in Asia, and that if the US media continues to act imperialistically it will simply be shut down here in Asia.
Guy Baker
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136 Na Ranong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110Fax: 022403666email: sundayforum@bangkokpost.co.th
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