PostBag
I fear that free discourse on Preah Vihear may be stifled by the snobbish notion expressed in Postbag ("Temple has north-south orientation," July 6) that the temple issue is too complex for the average citizen to comprehend; that opinions of the public are, therefore, misleading and dangerous, and that further discussion on this topic should be left to the elite few who know it all.
As a footnote, elitism also holds that democracy is dangerous because most voters are too dumb to understand the issues.
CHA-AM JAMAL
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PAD's 'New Politics'is totally wrong
I was baffled to read the article "Coup lovers" (BP, July 6), which described the PAD's "New Politics". What would be the point of even trying to elect a government in free and fair elections if the military _ a non-elected body _ had a legal mandate to overthrow it without the consent of the electorate or the people's representatives?
PAD leaders should know that the armed forces have no place in the political governance of a democratic country, period.
When the PAD failed to mobilise Thai civil society in support of its agenda, it probably felt it had nothing to lose by openly suggesting that the military be made a legitimate player in Thai politics. However, by doing so the PAD has exposed itself as just another undemocratic interest group, which will stop at nothing to see its agenda imposed on others.
NERVOUS NELLY
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Politics not for military
I agree with many things the PAD is doing, but I strongly oppose the idea of inviting the military to get involved in politics. Military guys can get involved in politics, but first get rid of your uniform.
"New Politics" is asking the military to get involved. I say: No. The military should not get involved in politics, period. The military's job is to defend the country against outside threats.
SUNTHORN SKULPONE
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Students of English need to hear all accents
Ajarn M (Postbag, July 6) uses a fictional name and I suspect a fictional qualification in his comments about pronunciation by teachers of English. If he had attended a course, like I did, he would know that we are trained not to favour any particular pronunciation. No particular pronunciation by native speakers is right or wrong.
Ajarn M would also know that teachers are trained to minimise teacher talking time in lessons and encourage student talking time. Listening skills should come from an audio CD, tape or DVD. The students then learn to understand a variety of voices and not just one teacher. Thai students often need to understand the Australian and other accents Ajarn M dislikes because they go to these countries to study.
On a personal note, I do not have a vested interest in opposing Ajarn M's plan to purge teachers of English. Ajarn M would not allow teachers with a pronunciation he does not approve of.
I come from London and speak with what is often described as RP (received pronunciation). This is what some people like Ajarn M admire.
Half of the students at my school spoke with a pronunciation like mine. The other half had a London accent where students, for example, drop the letter h. (I 'it 'im instead of I hit him). The students were beaten to encourage them to change their pronunciation. I was horrified. I would be equally horrified if teachers with a similar accent were discriminated against by prospective employers.
Fortunately, I suspect the Ministry of Education in Thailand is sufficiently competent to ignore Ajarn M's suggestion that teachers take a pronunciation test before being granted a teacher's licence.
PHIL MEADS
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