POSTBAG
Many are describing Thailand's system of government as not being "democratic". What do they wish to put in its place? Do they suggest the UK system, of an elected dictatorship?
For example, I did not vote for the Lisbon Treaty, the war in Iraq, the metamorphosis of the UK into an international melting pot, the abolition of the death penalty, but that is what I have. Democracy? I don't think so.
There is certainly a vacancy for a Robespierre in Thailand, but in many other countries as well.
DEREK DOYLE
Chon Buri
--------------
Gates' comments reflect frustration
In regard to last week's column by Amarin Khoman (Perspective, June 15), I want to implore the Thai people not to let anything US Defence Secretary Robert Gates says about Thailand upset them. He probably can't help himself. He may be a little out-of-it over not being able to win either of his two ongoing "wars" - Afghanistan and Iraq. And remember, he and his "neo-con" crew work for a guy with a 20-something approval rating.
Moreover, Mr Gates does not speak for the majority of American people about Thailand, or about anything for that matter.
JACK DAWSON
USA
--------------
Getting fed up with the PAD
I am really not one who feels he has a right to comment about Thailand, the Thai people or Thai politics, and I was reluctant to do so. But as an Asian (Chinese born in Indonesia), living more than 40 years in Germany, with German citizenship, the husband of a Thai wife who has the full acceptance of her big Thai family, and having become well acquainted with Thailand over the last ten years, I am slowly getting fed up with the movements of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
I am happy that the Thai people have started to grow up with democratic principles, but Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang are misusing these principles.
Sondhi is fighting his old enemy Thaksin because he is losing his business battle.
Chamlong is trying to be a good old ex-soldier by converting himself into a holy guru for students.
The government was chosen in the last election; that is democracy. The PAD has to accept it. Instead, PAD leaders are dividing the country and the Thai people. They misuse the symbolic yellow colour, too.
If these events were happening in a long-established democracy anywhere in the world, the police could arrest these public agitators and declare their movement a public disturbance.
ROBBY
Dubai
--------------
International cooperation needed
After reading the Bangkok Post editorial headlined "Drug Threats from Burma" (June 16, 2008), I firmly believe that the Thai government must act swiftly. Otherwise the drug problem will increase dramatically in the foreseeable future and will have an extremely detrimental financial, health and social impact on Thai society, undoubtedly costing the country billions of baht.
It's common knowledge that these drug kingpins in Burma are protected and supported by corrupt and powerful people, and in some cases are "partners" with them.
Thai authorities must implement strong measures to ensure that this nefarious connection ceases its operation sooner rather than later. The laundered drug money has found its way into Asian banks.
Recently Thailand and Singapore agreed to friendship and cooperative agreements, hopefully to benefit both countries.
The Thai government should make a formal request to the Singaporean authorities to act on suspicious bank accounts in Singapore.
International cooperation is also needed to deal with drug barons who launder their money in foreign countries.
Singapore has hung small-time drug offenders and now it's time that Singapore showed some consistency and genuine balance by freezing all suspected illicit drug money. Singapore's reputation as the "least corrupt country in Asia" is at stake here.
For the future of Thai youth, the government must act immediately against drug traffickers and their masterminds.
MICHAEL CHAHINE
Bangkok
--------------
Help-yourself charity?
I totally agree with Bill F (Postbag, June 15, 2008) about "charity" in general.
I just want only to add that there are many facets and dimensions to charity in every country, and Thailand is for sure no exception.
You are either part of the solution or part of the problem.
So at least we should let the public know the truth about the whole story. Which reads that most of the collections and donations (about 80%) given by "the poor of rich countries to make the rich of poorer countries richer" end up mostly in limousines and extravagant salaries for the charity foundations' elite.
It must also be admitted that the list of culprits that could be accused of such perverted transgression is quite long - too long to be well-explained and in full in this space.
JEAN VICTOR PIERRE KRIER
GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG
Chon Buri
--------------
US politicians master bamboozlers
"Isan Farang" (Jun 17, Postbag) and friends seem to be upset with Amarin Khoman's column in which he says that America should mind its own business and not dictate to Thailand.
Although I agree with "Isan" about the long established power elite in Bangkok, I cannot disagree with Khun Amarin's advice to America.
The only difference I see in regard to what is going on in both countries is that Thai politicians are not nearly half as adept at bamboozling their constituents as are American politicians.
This applies in particular to the current American administration.
Thus they may sometimes seem transparent, and sometimes they are downright flagrant in their power abuses.
In the end, the outcome is the same.
So what right does America have poking its nose into Thai business? We're talking about a country here that is very close to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. A country that had it all and is very close to losing it all thanks to decades of insane liberal policies followed by eight years now of moronic conservative policies.
One of the other writers chastising Khun Amarin also pointed out that in over two hundred years there has never been a coup in America.
I'll put aside the fact that since it has been a democracy there has not been one civil war in Thailand either, and instead I would like to make the suggestion that even though there never has been a coup in America, just possibly, in the last eight years there should have been.
JOHN ARNONE
Yasothon
--------------
Award-winning column
Guest columnist Amarin Khoman should get an award for his column, "Mind Your Own Business." I hope the American ambassador reads it. I intend to photocopy it and send a registered mail copy to George Bush in the White House.
This column should be reprinted in every newspaper in the United States (and Canada) so that Americans (and Canadians) would perhaps open their eyes and be a bit more realistic when using the term "democracy".
JACK GILEAD
Prachin Buri
--------------
George is a hard act to follow
A highly-credible nationwide US research survey released last weej said only 37 per cent of US Republicans feel extremely or very enthusiastic about voting this year, and 36 per cent of Republicans say they are not enthusiastic about voting. The reason is clear: the Republican candidate pales in comparison to the current Republican president, George W. Bush, who should be allowed to stay in office as long as he wants to.
GUY BAKER
Bangkok
--------------
Write us: Please send your comments on Perspective articles to perspective@bangkokpost.co.th
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Next
