Post Bag
While the nation joined as one to bid a final farewell to HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, I was upset with the government politicians who, in addition to annoying me in the Songtdhamma Pavilion where Their Majesties were present, showed no respect for the royal cremation, let alone the fact that they were in the presence of Their Majesties.
At the pavilion on the Phra Meru Ground (Sanam Luang) on Saturday night, they just could not sit still. I would not blame the Italian Ambassador who stood for a long while, nor a woman in the foreign diplomatic corps near me who kept popping up and down when all others sat quietly after their majesties entered the pavilion. Foreigner curiosities (or admiration?) of our tradition are understandable. But I cannot forgive a whole bunch of Thai politicians who chattered away and walked about to lobby each other.
All that happened in the presence of Their Majesties!
Their jolly mood continued in the line we formed to place sandalwood flowers at the Phra Meru _ the chatterboxes grew even louder in the open air.
They made fun of the naked sculptures of the kinnari (half human-half bird) angels and others, without realising they were in a solemn ceremony.
One even complimented my wife that she is beautiful at her age, without noticing that the guy who looked Japanese next to him was about to punch him in the nose if he went further to the point of flirting with her.
Shame on them who ungratefully live on taxpayers' money.
CHAMNONG WATANAGASE
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English broadcast left a lot to be desired
Yesterday I decided to listen to the broadcast of the royal cremation ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani as it was being broadcast in English, and I wanted to see how many grammatical mistakes there would be.
Yes, there were quite a few examples: The female announcer stated that it was the King's eldest daughter (should have been his eldest sister); His Majesty the King and Queen (should have been Their Majesties); Her Majesties the King and Queen.
But what was said next I could not believe. The female announcer stated the pomp and ceremony was even greater than that for Princess Diana. This was in perfect English, so I can only surmise that she was paid by someone to do this. Someone that has an axe to grind against the UK.
You do not compare something like this with anyone else's ceremony. This is very bad for the broadcasting company, and for the person who said this.
STEVE
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Relaxing condo laws a clarion call for bailout
Nigel Cornick's view of relaxing the laws concerning condominium ownership (Spectrum, Nov 16) speaks volumes about how foreign-based property companies are feeling the pinch in the liquidity crisis. Banks are just not lending as they used to.
What this amounts to is that the 51% of units that are reserved for indigenous buyers are not being sold. Add the EAI requirements into the mix _ that of land having to be set aside for trees _ and it becomes clear that the good old days are around no more.
Mr Cornick's arguments to support his industry are tangible on the surface but inherently weak on sovereignty. What he's asking for is tantamount to a beseeching clarion call for a property bailout.
JAMES GROVEWAY
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Convicts' quick divorce
Just a question concerning Thaksin's divorce: how is it possible that the Thai consulate in Hong Kong provided a service to two convicted criminals on the run?
CONFUSED
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A fight to the death, if his wife lets him
Is Thaksin's divorce politically motivated? (Bangkok Post, Nov 16) Of course it is, what do you expect a cornered dog to do. From what I know about Thaksin, you never count him out.
I do not believe anything Thaksin says except one thing, and that was what he said in 2005: ''I would rather die than be defeated in a fight.'' Thaksin was defeated once 32 years ago when he begged a woman to marry him. This woman dictates everything he does. Now, come on, do you really think she will let him off the hook?
Thaksin will fight to the death against the people. Who will win in the end? There is but one Thaksin and there are 20 million people fighting him who cannot be bought by his money. It is just a matter of time before he gets beat for the second time. But be careful when you fight a cornered dog.
SOONTONG SWANWIT
San Francisco
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Government officials must have been asleep
I have three questions for the current Thai government:
1. Are there still warrants out for the arrest of Thaksin and his wife?
2. Is it not true that any Thai embassy or consulate in any foreign country is considered as Thai soil?
If the answers to the above two are ''yes'', then question 3 needs answering.
3. When Thaksin and his wife visited the consulate in Hong Kong to get their divorce, why were they not immediately taken into custody and returned to Thailand to serve their sentences?
Somebody in the government had to be asleep.
FARANG OBSERVER
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Thaksin's actions prove he doesn't love nation
Just to clarify: I do not hate Thaksin, I despise him and his ''puppets'' and what they stood for.
Him and his puppets have in principle destroyed our nation and have caused the misery we find ourselves in.
Thaksin had some capabilities to bring our nation out of the dark ages, but his greed exceeded his patriotism and he became ''just one more'' corrupt entity like so many before him.
Presently he is still attempting to destroy our nation, our integrity and attempting to involve our royal family in political matters.
He is and was a compulsive liar and an autocrat. He sold his soul. This is why I despise him, not hate him.
He claims to love our nation, our people, our royal family. His actions however have proved otherwise.
Again, before to long he will have to answer to a higher authorithy and he will have a lot to answer for.
There is a big difference between "hate" and "despise & contemptable".
My research and my feelings are and always have been that this man always had it in his mind (as his actions have shown), to be the first President of Thailand.
His ilbegotten money will never bring him happiness.
PAKORN
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