OPINION

Monk farce has to end

Re: "Followers petition King to quash all charges", (BP, Dec 10).

If the followers of the embattled Phra Dhammajayo truly believe in his innocence of the numerous criminal charges laid against him, one would have thought they, and indeed, the former abbot himself, would welcome the opportunity to once and for all seek vindication of the charges in a court of law.

In the unlikely event of the petition succeeding, the charges would never be addressed, nor the question of the ex-abbot's innocence established.

The farce has gone on long enough. It is now time for due process of law to run its course.

Many major international media organisations have attacked Thailand for its "undemocratic behaviour" in applying lese majeste law against critics of the country's monarchy, (BP, Dec 10).

Thai people have been tolerant towards these media outlets' often inaccurate and unverified accusative comments. We very well realise that since Thailand is part of the world community, we must show perseverance towards criticisms against our country, even though some of the accusations are unverified and some are clearly dreamed-up.

Be that as it may, these media powerhouses should bear in mind that there are always two sides of the coin. There are rumours going on that these media houses often report news and spread hearsay stories against countries and people that cannot be proved to be factual.

In the case of Thailand, the lese majeste law is part of the measures that are essential for the protection of the country's sovereignty. Hence it is of utmost importance for all Thais. Can anyone name a country that has no law against treason or other acts that are dangerous to that country's sovereignty?

Hence, these international media houses should pledge their assurance to the world, that they will uphold impartiality above all and perform their duties in a forthright, honest and professional manner.

I'm an American and I have been to Thailand about six times over the past 15 years. I'm currently in Pattaya. Due to the police, this may be my last trip to Thailand.

The police here are utterly corrupt and heavy-handed. I ride a motorbike and I have been stopped at least once every day to see if I have a proper licence.

One day I was stopped three times. I have no problem with being stopped but I do have a problem with being detained after I have shown my valid licence. Half of the time, I have been detained while police try to figure out if they can charge me with something. Fortunately, I have not been ticketed for anything.

The other night I was driving back to my hotel around midnight and I was stopped for a DUI check. Again, I don't have a problem being stopped. It's the other things that I have a problem with. I was required to take a breath test even though I was obviously not drunk. I had consumed three drinks over the prior five hours and I weigh 275 pounds. It was pure harassment. However, according to their test, I blew .02 or about half the limit.

When I told the police officer that their constant harassment was making me not want to return, he said good and that I should not come to Pattaya. Maybe I'm wrong but I'm guessing that the hotel owners, restaurant owners and other business people would prefer that tourists come to Thailand.

I hope these business people realise what the police are doing to their businesses.

Is it not time to come up with a new word to replace the word "corruption" as used in Thailand? The way this word is used in Thailand, it is corrupting the word corruption far beyond what the original word was meant to mean.

Did I say that right?

Why is it that whenever I go to the bank, the hospital, etc, I need to supply a photocopy of my passport details or my wife has to hand over a photocopy of her citizen card.

What happens to these photocopies? What a waste of energy (copies use electricity) and paper. Bureaucracy gone mad. Does no one think of the carbon footprint?

Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise for the world at large by US president-elect Donald Trump's purported inclination to a policy of isolationism in world affairs. It is a very high hope that US interference in other people's business would be stopped. The international community are still reminded of the infamous The Ugly American film.

The world naturally revolves as it did in the past and will do so in the future with or without US.

According to an online report on Dec 8, another policeman was transferred in the Malin Sky assault case. Corruption in Thailand reminds me of an embalmed mummy.

No matter how many layers you strip away, there is yet the mystery of another layer beneath. Has there ever not been a corrupt policeman involved in any pub problem in Thailand? I cannot think of reading or hearing about anything in years and years where one or more cops were involved one way or another, either in cover-ups, illegal or silent partnerships, receiving monthly payments to look the other way and ignore illegalities, etc.

The entire police force needs to be gutted and rebuilt from bottom up, and then there is no guarantee that it wouldn't be the same all over again. Yes, the death penalty for corruption conviction might be the best solution offered so far.