Re: “Prem: May 22 coup rescued the nation” (BP, Dec 29). Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s decision to lead cabinet ministers and armed forces chiefs to visit Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, who praised the PM for leading the May 22 coup, says so much about the political situation in Thailand.
During the past 13 years, Thailand has suffered — instead of benefited — from having democratically-elected governments. Why?
All leaders during that time have been shown to be corrupt, divisive and violence-driven.
Observers and critics of Thailand should take note: Peace-loving Thais are enjoying this post-coup period immensely, and are still extremely jittery about where democracy after the next election will take us.
Vint Chavala
Respect the dead
Why is it necessary for the media (including the Bangkok Post) to publish the gory details about how these poor people on missing AirAsia flight QZ8501 are likely to have died?
We all know this information is relevant for investigators to determine the cause of the accident, and hopefully through their findings prevent a similar incident in the future.
However, the relatives of the victims have enough to cope with without reading details about the state of the bodies recovered.
Brian Stocks
Conscious of health
I’m not going to dispute the claim that vegetarians have a lower risk of heart disease and live longer than meat-eaters. But I have to say that it is only partially true.
People turn vegetarian because they believe in the myth about the health benefits. They are health conscious in the first place.
Apart from not eating meat, they are likely to exercise regularly, abstain from smoking, drink moderately and refrain from junk food.
Heck, those factors on their own could make anyone included carnivores stay slim, have a low risk of heart disease and live longer. It’s not vegetarianism alone that contributes to good health. To say otherwise is deceiving.
Somsak Pola
Not another court
Re: “Graft court is vital”, (PostBag, Dec 30).
Yep, just what we need. Another special court to take care of what all the other special courts failed to solve.
I’m wondering how long will it be before we need to set up a special court to handle prosecutions of all the people we see picking their noses in public?
Enough courts already.
Why not ensure that prosecutors and judges in the current court system get off their buns and get something done in a reasonable timeframe.
Farang Observer, Pattaya
Move over Malala
I think the title for most inspirational person of the year should go to Nitcharee “Nong Than” Peneakchanasak, who was rightly featured, among others, in “A year of news to inspire” (BP, Dec 31).
Whenever I’m feeling a bit down, I only have to look at dear Nong Than’s beautiful smile which she maintains despite having lost both legs in a tragic accident.
Forget the precocious Malala, whose only claim to fame is getting shot in the head, Nong Than is my person not only of the year, but always.
Martin R
In defence of Bahrt
It seems all anyone has to do to get a letter published is insult Eric Bahrt (while those who defend him rarely get published).
I’ve met Eric and Hyde Parke’s claim that Eric looks 10 years older than his years is outrageous.
For years Hyde Parke was posting comments saying Eric looks like he had just got out of a concentration camp.
But when Brunch interviewed Eric and described him as “wiry”, Hyde Parke knew he could no longer get away with that lie. Now we’re supposed to believe that Eric is wiry, but old looking!
As Eric noted, his critics resort to personal attacks because they can’t intelligently dispute his arguments.
Steve Gordon
Personal vendetta
How ironic that Hyde Parke, who I thought was 80-years-old (though he told me he was 72), would call me old looking (PostBag, Dec 31).
I want readers to know what really happened during our encounter. When I met him he begged to interview me.
But I made it clear I never allow myself to be interviewed by someone with his mentality. Since then he has been attacking me every chance he gets.
Eric Bahrt