There comes a point where America (and indeed the UK and Europe) have to move on from criticising the coup and current government and instead do something more constructive to help the return to democracy through the roadmap promised by our PM.
I believe he is a sincere person with good intent for the country, and hence am prepared to give him a chance to bring us closer to democracy.
But then the question is "What democracy"?
Democracy is practised in quite different ways around the world.
The UK differs significantly from the US which differs from say Singapore. Criticism of the current situation is all very well, but it would be far more use if these countries could explain how and why their version of democracy works, its good points and bad, so we can make an educated assessment.
It is quite a challenging question to explain the subtleties of why democracy works in one’s home country.
Just as an example, it would have been impossible in the UK or US for Yingluck Shinawatra to go from a job in a private company to the highest elected office in the land in a few short months because of the involvement of political party members in choosing candidates to stand for elections.
Parties are not owned by individuals (although funding may be more concentrated) but by the party membership at large; and the members have a substantial say in electing leaders to fight elections or to stand for representative office.
I suggest Mr Russel, the US State department official who has caused such umbrage by his comments on Thailand, missed an opportunity.
We have a roadmap, what we need is support to move it along to design a workable democracy for our country.
Part of that must be to learn how and why democracy works in other parts of the world, because it is a misunderstood concept at every level in our country.
P Jackson
Take it on the chin
Re:”Irritation as Thailand loses its charm,” (Opinion, Feb 1).
As I understand it, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and others are upset about a US diplomat’s criticism, and supposed interference in Thailand’s affairs.
Let me ask these gentlemen, do Thai diplomats or ambassadors in America not have the right to visit, or have meetings with American leaders of both the Democrat and Republican parties?
From what I have seen, they do have, and have the right to present Thailand’s viewpoints, even if they don’t agree with America’s views.
America gets views and opinions from countries all over the world, and accepts them for consideration.
So why then does Thailand make such a big deal out of a few suggestions from a friend who means no harm to Thailand? Gen Prayut should be saying he is willing to listen to suggestions from friends and critics alike, not pushing them away.
Charlie Brown
Pattaya
Keep it up, Prayut
I wish to thank Gen Prayut and his team for their diligent work. This year, I notice that Thailand is more peaceful and there is less corruption thanks to their hard work.
I listen to the general’s weekly messages and I like what I hear from him. Arrogant foreigners have no place to criticise Thais. The Thai people know what is best for Thailand. Congratulations, and keep it up.
Robert Julien Gauthier
A happy Canadian tourist
Best and brightest?
I was listening to the TV the other day and heard a True advertisement about your new Mali service (mali as in the flower) service.
I was aghast when I looked at the TV and saw that you have − and with much fanfare − decided to spell Mali M-A-R-I. What brain trust did you use to come up this?
I can just see the roundtable meeting: “OK, we want to brand the service MALI but we know most Thai people pronounce L as R. Therefore let’s swap the L with an R so everyone will pronounce Mari as 'Mali'”. Ka-chow! Thailand’s best and brightest thinking out of the box.
TruePuzzled
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