Readers continue to criticise attempts at reform, but they still fail to offer any alternative proposal. Clearly all previous attempts at democracy in Thailand have failed, so why anyone should clamour to have the same system back again is idealistic. Once again, the term “democracy” needs to be defined by the those who blindly crave it, for it does need to be different for different cultures. Regarding the coup, martial law and the current attempts at reform, long may the current situation continue until such time as a form of government acceptable to all parties has evolved. The term “benevolent autocracy” comes to mind. For a culture that is in the current state of development as is the case in Thailand, i.e. politically juvenile, that may well be an alternative interim option.
John C
Whale meat is wrong
Re: “Kai-ya!”, (Life, Jan 30).
I was astonished and horrified to read your food critic promoting the consumption of whale meat in her column in the Life edition. It was bad enough when she was leading the charge for people to eat foie gras (anyone who doesn’t know how cruel and inhumane this is, just Google: “foie gras production”. You’ll get the picture. But whale meat? I think it is widely acknowledged and accepted by the international community that the hunting of whales under the guise of “scientific research” is barbaric and cruel. Even the Japanese (the prime perpetrators”) have toned down their slaughter.
WUNFER LEFROG
Thais don’t mock US
I have great respect for Thailand, its culture, its people and its political system. As an American citizen I would like to formally apologise to the Thai people for US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel’s highly insensitive comments about Thailand’s recent political actions regarding the former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Obviously, Mr Russel has very little understanding of Thailand. I have seen many changes in Thailand’s political system over the past 20 years. In all the cases the final result was that Thailand became a stronger democracy. America has many deep flaws: racial discrimination, immoral wars (Vietnam, the Middle East), a high murder rate and violence against its own citizens. For instance, during the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1972, many college students rioted in protest during the spring of 1970. The big tragedy occurred at Kent State University, where an Ohio National Guard unit shot and killed four students.
My point here is the Thai government never criticises American actions, and the US should not criticise Thailand. I feel the Thai people and their government have a “live and let live” attitude to the rest of the world, and America should do the same. Yes, we have our strengths and a democracy, etc. But the final word is Mr Russel and President Obama should apologise to the Thai government. If they will not I hope my apology helps heal the wound caused by Mr Russel.
Raymond Hill
Professor Emeritus of Management
Eastern Michigan University
Allies and friends
I would like to applaud Prof Thitinan Pongsudhirak’s Feb 5 article, “Deft diplomacy needed for coup period”.
Mr Russel was always going to give a US administration-backed policy, and while Thailand is right to challenge his assertions and to lay out the roadmap to bring Thailand back to full-scale democracy, the message is lost with this messenger. The key question is why did the US want so much publicity?
What is really surprising is the timing of the visit and the message being delivered. There was nothing to be accomplished with the US agenda by giving such a speech. It only inflamed those who feel strongly that the current situation is Thailand’s best opportunity to move democracy forward and, indeed, move Thailand forward.
The United States needs Thailand now more than ever, and the US shift toward Asia is only hampered by these actions which can only move Thailand in a direction away from the United States. In the past, the US has provided Thailand many types of assistance, including financial aid, military aid and humanitarian aid. Today that has changed and Thailand is strong and independent. The US faces many challenges with China, Russia, the Middle East and terrorism. Why provoke Thailand, which has always been a keen ally and friend of the US and a partner in world peace since World War II?
The US needs to speak of democracy and judicial interests to the government of Thailand. But there is no need to push Thailand in a direction it cannot go. When Thailand emerges from this period with elections, as defined in its road map, the United States should be seen as an understanding and helpful partner.
Michael B Newell
Pheu Thai’s ‘facts’
So the Pheu Thai Party has sent “the facts” to a top US diplomat. Would that be the fact that they were clearly a proxy representative for a fugitive criminal abroad? Or the fact that they still can’t properly explain where a large portion of 600 billion baht is, which may or may not find its way into the next election campaign? Or the fact that they are not guilty of anything ever because the charges are politically motivated and the judicial process is apparently illegitimate?
We’re never going to reconcile ourselves democratically because they have such an odd and selective interpretation of the “facts”.
Matt Balmain
Pay up, millionaires
I would suggest that the multi-millionaire politicians of Pheu Thai — including those vociferous defenders of the rural poor, such as Nattawut Saikuar and Dr Weng Tojirakarn, as well as the dear leader Yingluck, whose assets were published recently — could be asked to pay compensation to the Finance Ministry for the massive losses incurred in their ill-conceived, mismanaged and corruption-ridden rice-pledging scheme.
Edward B Duhigg
Be credible, not a joke
Re:”No questions asked”, (PostBag, Feb 5).
Eric Bahrt is using double standards. He reacts when people get themselves in trouble for violating martial law, a law which is there because some factions argued with grenades and guns and is still in effect because the country is unstable. The people Mr Bahrt is defending are alive, as opposed to many bystanders and participants in the legal civil disobedience last year. Mr Bahrt was then publicly concerned about minor material dents, like a police sign torn down. If you want to be tender, empathetic and solidly united, be it all the time and stay credible. Otherwise, be a joke!
A Johnsen
Streets are peaceful
Now Eric chides Jack Gilead because he sees no inconvenience with martial law. I go to Bangkok for three or four days every two months and have been doing so for years. I also see absolutely no fallout from the so-called state of martial law. Are you going to tell me I also am “a good soldier” who does everything the government suggests?
The few examples that you cited have absolutely nothing to do with martial law and could happen at any time.
As for being a good soldier and cooperating with the authorities, whomever they may be, is that wrong? Or is it forbidden now in the year 2015 to be cooperative and supportive? From what I can see, it all started during the Vietnam War and is now culminating with KFC protests, meat protests, animal treatment protests or any protest that keeps one in the limelight.
Get a life, Eric, and leave Jack Gilead alone. He is one of the few voices of reason and moderation that I see among the rabble sending in various letters of protest in the letters columns searching for attention.
John Arnone
How to verify deeds
Re: “Two tasks for NCPO”, (Editorial, Feb 5).
If the Phuket land officers are unable or unwilling to find the relevant documentation, is it not possible to start from the other end, that is, go to the owners of the 815 land plots in question? If the “owners” of the land are unable to show documentation that they do legally own the land then it should not be difficult to remove them from the Sirinat National Park. If the owners can show documentation issued by the Phuket land office, then trace the paperwork back to the person who signed it off as being “legal” and go after them, as well as issuing the “owners” with a notice to leave.
John Lowndes
Bribery roadblock
An expat friend who had earlier drunk two small beers was stopped at a roadblock in Bangkok a couple of evenings ago and was breath-tested by the police. He was told he was over the limit (highly unlikely) and that unless he paid a fine of 20,000 baht on the spot he would be arrested and imprisoned overnight.
He negotiated the “fine” down to 5,000 baht and was sent on his way — not great if he was in fact drunk. He then saw dozens of other motorists being pulled over and coincidentally the spot was where several ATM machines were located. A good night for law enforcement!
Martin R
Criminal Churchill
Songkran Grachangnetara wrote in his Feb 3 column: “my hero, Winston Churchill”.
Churchill gave the order to destroy the French allied fleet in Mers-el-Kebir, July 3, 1940. Some 1,300 French sailors died there from the British “allied” bullets. Three days later, British warplanes came and opened fire on people attending the burial ceremony of these dead at Mers-el-Kebir cemetery.
Your hero, Churchill, gave the order to those “courageous young fighter pilots”, as you wrote, to air-bomb the French city of Le Havre, Sept 5, 1944, killing 2,000 French civilians and destroying the whole city, just “for practice” (according from a courageous testimony of one of these British pilots) before bombing the cities in Germany. More French civilians died during WWII from the “allied” than from the German occupiers.
Mr Songkran, “your hero, Winston Churchill”, is a criminal bastard.
Francois Dor
Are the parks racist?
The subject of two-tier pricing comes up often. Siam Park, one of the oldest “fun” parks in Bangkok, has recently started to change its policy of charging foreigners more for the same amenities offered to local residents. Prices are in Thai and baht for locals and US dollars for foreigners — just to add to the obfuscation of costs. Do foreigners take up more room? Excessive space in the pool, wear and tear on the rides? Or, is it simple greed and racism?
Neil
Stick close to Asia
Re: “Superman dons his cape”, (Thai Pulse, Feb 2).
Having read this column by Siam Rath Weekly, and considering all its implications, maybe it’s time to do as it appears they are saying. Cut the US out of anything to do with Thailand, and stick to your local buddies from China and the rest of Asia. If not, one thing is certain: You will guarantee Thailand will never become more than just another banana republic. Or, do you really care?
Farang Observer
Real unemployment
Re “Workers struggle in the robot age”, (Opinion, Feb 2).
Guy Ryder, chief of the International Labour Organisation, claimed that there are only 200 million unemployed worldwide. This ridiculous figure comes from the use of the political definition of unemployment, not an actual one.
The real unemployment figure in the developed world is three times the published one, and I haven’t even counted underemployed or those who have given up looking for nonexistent jobs. Remember, you only have to have worked (paid, unpaid) one hour during the survey period in order to be counted as employed.
He would better serve the workers of the world by being honest about the magnitude of the problem rather than organising talks and denying the reality of depression levels of real unemployment.
Marcus L’Estrange
Reporting sex abuse
On Thai radio, I often hear a public service spot saying to report any instances of child sex abuse. But then it never says whom to report it to. The regular police? Don’t make me laugh. There must be some sort of hotline out there, but googling it turns up nothing. There are a couple of farang in my neighbourhood who certainly need reporting, but I don’t know how to report it. Could the authorities who paid for that ad please be so kind as to tell us how to do that?
Richard Harvey
Useless airport kiosks
The taxi service has deteriorated at the airport with the introduction of a new automated system of taxi check-in kiosks. Routinely only one out of the four kiosks works at each bank of check-in stands. Two staff stand by uselessly, and when you get your number there is no taxi in the allocated parking space. I wish someone at the airport was accountable to explain how this is an improvement (or whose brother is selling these unreliable machines).
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