OPINION

Doomed to fail

Re: "Challenges of democracy after Trump win", (Opinion, Nov 15).

Well said Mr Suranand, "When there are no means to bridge the great divide, polarisation of politics becomes toxic." Just like an epidemic, those who spread the toxins are doomed to fall.

President-elect Donald Trump or anyone else in his government cannot bring back the jobs various US states and towns have lost. US companies have moved out for economic reasons. If Toyota, Honda and Panasonic find a more lucrative and profitable country to manufacture their products in they will also move out of Thailand. That is the way it works.

The difference between the late president Ronald Reagan and Mr Trump is that the latter has spread hatred about minorities and insulted and alienated a large section of the US population. Now, with the Senate, House of Representatives and White House in the hands of Republicans, the completely polarised US politics will take an even nastier turn.

On the other hand, just like the collapse of the British Empire, the withdrawal of the US war machine from rest of the world may usher in a new era of global peace and prosperity.

It amazes me that some Thais still hold the US up as a democratic model for countries like Thailand to emulate, even after Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the US presidential election last week -- by way of using sarcasm and accusative remarks against his opponent rather than sticking to policy discussions.

In my opinion, there is no such thing as a perfect democratic system or model. Allow me to present these observations:

First, after the Thai Rak Thai Party won the 2001 election in Thailand that enabled Thaksin Shinawatra to become prime minister, supporters of his opponents did not go out on the street to protest against Thaksin. That, I think, was a display of the civil and democratic traits of the Thai people.

Second, Thaksin's tenure was cut short by a military coup in 2006 to prevent internal political conflicts from escalating and a civil war happening.

Since most Americans despise coups, what is the most effective way to prevent a civil war from happening in the US -- a war that could result in hundreds of thousands killed?

Or should we brace for a second civil war in the US?

Re: "Moving past 'Nott'", (PostBag, Nov 17).

The public has already forgiven and forgotten Akanat "Nott" Ariyaritwikul for his tantrum and the matter was buried some time ago.

Why bring it up again? Anyway, who is Nott and what did he do?

Re: "BMA mulls billing for waste water", (BP, Nov 15).

It is a surprise to learn that the BMA has never imposed wastewater treatment fees on city residents. The process is not complicated. For most modern cities around the world, the fees are added and included in tap water bills.

This is a very simple theory: households or facilities that consume more tap water naturally produce more wastewater.

Every time I arrive from Europe on one of Thai Airway's 747 jumbo jets early in the morning at Suvarnabhumi airport, it seems that immigration officials are never prepared for the arrival of this flight and the number of passengers disembarking at this time.

Long queues form as very few passport booths are open. I thought that because of my age and a recent knee operation I was entitled to use the special lane for elderly and handicapped people, only to discover that this lane was longer than the other lanes. No chairs or benches were in sight and I had to struggle to keep on my feet after a 12 hour flight.

postbag@bangkokpost.co.th