To stop the rot, first understand it

Postbag

To stop the rot, first understand it

Published: 4/01/2012 at 02:13 AM
Newspaper section: News

It's rare that I download a letter; what is more, I leave it on my desktop for reflection. That's what I did with Andrew of Chiang Mai's letter published on the last day of 2011 ("Constitution change should be an open process", Postbag, Dec 31). I suspect it must have made an equal impression on other readers.

''The holy grail which countries govern themselves by,'' he calls constitutions, and reminds us that ''democracy is facilitated by a constitution, not the other way around''.

One might add to that the fact that the rule of law is also facilitated by a constitution, and not the other way around.

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jakeelwood
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Discussion 11 : 08/01/2012 at 06:15 PM11
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Lung Kip... Yes yes yes and yes a thousand times more. Finally a letter which explains what really happened! I am amazed at the number of people who have been hoodwinked by Thaksin's misdirection since the 2001 asset's case.
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egon
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Discussion 10 : 05/01/2012 at 10:46 AM10
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Lung Kip :the contrast of the quality of your letters in extreme contrast to nighthawk.
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bluebkk
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Discussion 9 : 04/01/2012 at 10:48 PM9
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Khun Lung Kip, what a thorough analysis of the root of all evil in Thailand!!! And how refreshing on this forum amongst the red tainted rhetoric and lies!!! Allow me to congratulate you and hope many more people in Thailand possess your intelligence!
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dao
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Discussion 8 : 04/01/2012 at 08:44 PM8
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Lung Kip
You give me hope that all is not lost in the land of former smiles .
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john49
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Discussion 7 : 04/01/2012 at 01:58 PM7
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Thaksin crying in court about his 'honest' mistake, the ultimate drama queen, must have had the richest drivers and maids in Thailand.
Absolutely nothing he won't do to get around the law. The judges who let him off should hang their heads in shame.
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bangmodken
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Discussion 6 : 04/01/2012 at 09:59 AM6
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Great letters today from Khun Lung Kip & JC Wilcox ! Thank you guys,you are spot on !
In the true spirit of blind admiration for Thaksin,Nighthawk D3, refuses to deal with or even accept the core of the problems which have caused the political divide in Thailand. The coup included.
Thaksin branded himself a bad guy by his deeds and his open disrespect for any laws/rules which might have been a hinderance to his never ending quest for more riches and more power. He also couldn't care less about the consequenses.
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airborne
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Discussion 5 : 04/01/2012 at 09:35 AM5
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Thank you Lung Kip for another well thought out piece. Please, keep it up.

Nighthawk, I remember reading the statement by a judge that while he believed that the boss had violated the law he felt it necessary to acknowledge the votes of millions of Thais. At the time I had a lot of hope in Taksin and leaned with that judge. Given what has happened to the country since then I see now how wrong I was to believe that the ends justify the means, as the hoped for ends never came to pass. The law was in place for a reason and law should have been obeyed until changed. The law was and is the ground rule for electing ethical people to high positions.
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ron1947
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Discussion 4 : 04/01/2012 at 08:58 AM4
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Nighthawk, you are totally wrong in your assertions. I would like to recommend that you read the 2001 judgement and the consequent statements of the judges concerned, particularly one judge who is reported to have said he didn't rule against Taksin because the people had voted for him, not because Taksin hadn't broken the law. This a clear case of influence in decision making and not adhering to the letter and intention of the law.
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nighthawk
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Discussion 3 : 04/01/2012 at 06:56 AM3
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Lung Kip..Do you mean the Supreme Court was wrong to acquit Thaksin in 2001? YOu mean if Thaksin was convicted, there wouldn't be a coup and we would have landed men on Mars by now? You mean the court verdict should base on the event that may occur rather than the evidences? Good luck Thailand!

To me, the problem started when AV boycotted April 2006 general election, which led to the coup. Of course if you have to blame someone, it got to be Thaksin, because we already branded him bad guy.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 2 : 04/01/2012 at 06:25 AM2
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Lung Tip: I agree with you (and Discussion 1). But I doubt if Pheu Thai would like an investigation as it might stop Thaksin being able to return to carry on where he left off and to get the gravy train moving faster.

Yellow Yarmulke: I like your suggestions, but I advise you to stay away from petrol station washrooms.
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