POST BAG
PAD protest was good
- Published: 24/09/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
Contrary to Prof Thitinan Pongsudhirak's distaste over the PAD's protest at the border (Bangkok Post, Sept 23), I find myself strangely in support of the PAD and consider the demonstration at the border as a voice of conscience.
That voice is raising public awareness about the Cambodian settlement in existence within the 4.6sqkm disputed area, and also is a warning to the Cambodian government that the situation is intolerable to Thais.
Was that ''right-wing'' conduct detrimental to our country? Hardly. Upon voicing their protest and making our fellow Thais know of the issue, the protesters peacefully left the scene, with a warning to future Thai negotiators not to forget Cambodia's intrusion into the disputed territory.
Was the protest designed to steal the thunder of the red shirts? Maybe. But that protest was more beneficial to our country than the red shirts'.
I am grateful to the PAD protesters for having taken the trouble to increase our awareness of the situation at the border.
SONGDEJ PRADITSMANONT
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Simply tongue-in-cheek
Re the letter from ''Canadian in Bangkok'' (Postbag, Sept 22), I've got to admit that I read John Keating's excellent letter as a tongue-in-cheek commentary on Thai society (Postbag, Sept 19).
I'm sure that it resonated with many ex pats. But then, the North Americans are not known for a wry sense of humour.
ANDREW
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Brutal treatment
I was taken aback by the article about the science teacher who punished a student severely and still kept his job because there was no substitute teacher available.
I want to ask the school director which is more important: student safety and emotional stability, or the examination results? Even though the student was not severely hurt, that kind of punishment could have caused much damage to the boy's head.
It seems to me that such behaviour is accepted in Thai schools - if it is not caught on video.
YOUNG SEAON PARK
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The sad state of affairs starts young here
The past weeks have seen numerous navel-gazing articles littering the English-language press about the state of Thai society, what bodes for the future, all lamenting on the parlous state the country finds itself in and postulating solutions.
Sadly, the raw fact is that there are no magic solutions. The country is inherently dysfunctional and will remain so. The reasons for this are complex and manifold, but I will address what I see as the main protagonists.
It starts young; I watch the predominantly male children of friends and colleagues being essentially indulged and spoilt. There is very little corrective parenting that involves ''no don't do that, no you can't have that''. Indeed, one English father has become so exasperated by his Thai wife's constant doting on their youngest to the exclusion of all discipline, that he has detached himself from the close rearing process entirely.
This kind of over-indulgent behaviour by parents produces spoilt children who become petulant at a moment's notice. They become equally unpleasant adults that feel the world owes them and revolves around them.
I will not loiter on the educational system as it has generated reams of column inches over the past months; sufficient to say that it continues to fall substantially short of being in any way fit for purpose and offers no assistance here.
Then there is the general demeanour of Thai society and the requirement for non-questioning, non-confrontational deference if you are not the high status one. This suffocating environment not only prevents any form of growth in social society, but is the most fertile of environments for corruption in any of its forms, as those who are endlessly fawned upon grow to become arrogant and indulgent.
Then in the higher structures of society, due process is routinely interfered with so that a ''workable'' outcome can be achieved; no doubt it being paraded as the middle way. Sadly, if the middle way falls out with the law or at least natural justice, then the seeds of division are sown and those at lower levels see that as a green light to make their own ''middle'' way and thus we have the society we have today.
So, short of brainwashing the entire country and starting again, there is nothing that can be done as there is no part of the national structure that is _ save for one very striking exception _ respected. That, sadly, is the sum of it.
DR JOHN PATTERSON
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Give farmers radios
I disagree with the idea of touch screen information kiosks for farmers (BP, Business section, Sept 21). No farmer will walk to kiosks to learn information from electronic media, even if they are easy touch screens.
The most popular media equipment for the farmer has been the portable radio set. These transistors are always taken with them and listened to on the banks of paddy fields, etc, wherever the farmers go.
I recommend the establishing of a nationwide radio service exclusively for information needed by farmers. Agri product price movements, both wholesale and retail, maybe even export prices, should be broadcast from time to time all day. Other information for modern farming techniques, weather reports and all related farm business will fill in the time between market reports.
This can be achieved on a far less budget and made easily available to farmers nationwide.
R H SUGA
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