Postbag: Comedy of errors

Postbag: Comedy of errors

In the recent stage revival of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, a sketch loosely based around the Spanish Inquisition involves rather pathetic attempts to bludgeon an old lady into pleading guilty to unrevealed crimes. She is threatened with torture — namely, the rack.

Forgetting their lines at every turn, oozing incompetence, stupidity, and displaying a total inability to torment effectively, her persecutors reveal a plastic kitchen plate rack which is then attached round her bust. They also pummel her with soft cushions and provide a glass of milk. Unsurprisingly, the torture technique is a failure, the investigation is snookered and the Python team link tenuously though deliciously to the “spam sketch” and song.

This all rather reminded me of life in the corridors and interrogation rooms of the laid-back Thai police where persuasion of a similar kind (often aided by earlier sweeteners and kickbacks — “Know what I mean? Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink. Say no more?”) is very much a part of the script.

Monty Python and the Royal Thai Police are both remarkable institutions, though one is now side-splittingly in need of sweeping reform and an alternative punchline. (Maybe “and now for something completely different” will do after all!)

Thailand’s new political philosophy, along with the promise of change and an increase in the happiness factor (the new “Holy Grail”), is creating an authentic national positivism and a strong belief that reforms really will take place. Perhaps, at long last, it is no longer an unrealistic aspiration to “always look on the bright side of life (whistle)”.

John 'Spam Egg and Chips' Shepherd


Tax fuel, pay teachers

How about a quarter-satang tax imposed on every litre of fuel throughout the country to be used exclusively to pay for an increase in teacher salaries? Surely few could begrudge this?

It is in the interests of the children who are the future of the country. It is not as if the tax would be going to pay for some mega-transit projects or building schemes or increases in parliamentary salaries.

Little Oily Mouth


PM jeep a non-starter

The jeep used by Prime Minister and army chief Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha in a recent parade was withdrawn from US military service in 1959.

The Ford Willys M151A1 and A2 models had independent and coil sprung suspension and proved dangerous in use, causing many fatalities to both drivers and passengers in Vietnam.

The Military Utility Tactical Truck — known as MUTT — was "destroyed" and not released for sale to the public by the US army in America.

Thousands were flame-cut in half to prevent further use. Only some South American countries and Japan continued using them.

"Prayut's 'smart' jeep" (PostBag, Sept 27) may refer to a weapon called a lance, an effective but old method of making a point.

Used for jousting by heraldic knights across Europe and later by mounted horse regiments, it was effective against any lightly armed infantry.

Since the Vietnam War, the Thai Army has enjoyed copious funds to renew and replace old equipment and has even invested in spotter air balloons costing millions.

In the drive against corruption, hand-held explosive detectors bought at a very high price by the army are one example that comes to mind.

All the funds must be used for their intended purpose. I hope the general enjoys a smooth ride in all his efforts!

Colonel Blimp


In with the old

I read with some amusement David Brown’s Sept 27 letter about the merits of keeping old things.

I trust his letter to PostBag was typewritten and sent via the postal service?

Sir Lance


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