OPINION

Unite not divide

Re: "Bhikkhuni protest palace ban", (BP, Jan 13).

As I am neither a scholar of Theravada history nor a Thai legal expert, I have no opinion on whether the ordinations of Dhammananda bhikkhuni and other bhikkhuni is legitimate or not. Nevertheless, as a forty-year practitioner of Buddhism, it seems to me that the practice of Buddhist dhamma necessarily entails overcoming attachment to the fictitious "I" self, through subduing such kilesas as worldly ambition, personal pride and resentment.

In my opinion, when someone's primary orientation becomes political, he or she ceases to be worthy of wearing the Buddha's robes. If the Thai bhikkhuni were to demonstrate the way of the Buddha by personal example, at the grassroots level, rather than by engaging in dramatic confrontations and seeking validation imposed by top-down legal fiat, I am sure the Thai people would eventually come to accept them.

In the US, where I am from, the strategy of provoking highly visible clashes with those one disagrees with has become the preferred approach to social engagement. The resulting conflict is then covered by the media, which inevitably take one side or the other, and a drawing of battle lines. The inevitable outcome has been a polarisation of the country into two camps, each of which despises and demonises the other, and an all-but-complete political and social paralysis. I think that this particular Western mindset is one that Thailand should try very hard not to imitate.

Re: "Female monks barred from paying respects", (Opinion, Jan 11).

I had thought that I had found an enlightened system of belief to aspire to, but, it appears that I am wrong. It seems that misogyny is rife throughout all religions and beliefs. I cannot really respect what was a simple and honest way of life that has become almost corporate in its undisclosed wealth.

All those floral offerings and fruit for my hotel rooms over the years, and all the (wai) that I have gestured sincerely seem shabby and empty now. My gold Buddhas are now just gold weight, no more, and no less.

Allow me to finish by reminding you that women create, and men seize power.

Re: "Dinosaurs at Government House", (BP, Jan 12).

Adults (as parents in Bangkok) perhaps can't wait to attend the show of 20 big dinosaur models from Sirindhorn Dinosaur Museum in Kalasin and Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum in Khon Kaen at Government House on Children's Day today, let alone their children.

However, such scientific facilities are rare or perhaps even non-existent outside Bangkok. So, we should be prioritising and supporting provincial children with long-term good learning measures that offer them the fun and hands-on experience as enjoyed by their peers in the capital.

In addition to presents, food and toys, a more fun learning environment is necessary for children to help make their dreams come true.

With all the recent reports and opinions on the failures of the Thai educational system, I would like to express my admiration for one particular Chiang Mai school.

My grandniece, born to a 16-year-old mum and handicapped by deafness, was headed for a sad and limited future confined to a village near Tha Ton. A bright and otherwise healthy child, she so badly needed the special care and education required to compensate for her disability.

Thankfully, her young mum got her child accepted at the Sot Sueksa Anusan Sunthorn School in Chiang Mai. This place is a gem. The teachers show love and affection but still insist on respect and discipline. The kids treat each other as a family and they are taught to share as a priority of life. No violence, no brutal behaviour, just a staff dedicated to doing their best for children who have had a tough start in life. They have turned a frustrated and sometimes angry child into a thoughtful child in less than a year and I have nothing but the highest praise for their approach.

A potential delay in the Thai general election is hitting news headlines again as there has been mention of the date slipping, possibly to as late as September 2018. In many ways this is hardly surprising given the death of King Bhumibol and a series of natural disasters, such as the ongoing floods in the southern provinces, have been taking up a significant amount of the interim government's time and organisational resources. But pressure, in particular international pressure, has been mounting to call an election as soon as possible; preferably in 2017, or at the very least, naming a firm date.

On the other hand, there is no particular groundswell of Thai public opinion that is clamouring for an early election. In general, Thai people don't particularly like politicians and prefer the "normalcy" of the political scene created by the military. Indeed, public opinion polls all indicate people are generally happy with what the government is doing, particularly in terms of cracking down on corruption, including reclaiming public land grabs that have been ignored for years, and for getting large infrastructure projects unstuck, such as Bangkok public transport projects, that have been mired in bureaucratic inertia. But however worthy or supported the government is it lacks a mandate from the people and that requires an election.

The sticking point is the fact that the drafting of the "organic" laws -- that will ensure political corruption is no longer a major factor in Thai politics, so that no one party can dominate to the exclusion of all other voices -- hasn't finished. The government's argument is that elections had been hurriedly entered into following the previous coups, without the necessary legislatory underpinning in place, leading to the necessity for yet another coup to try and restore order after the depredations of the politicians operating pretty much with a free hand.

A recent poll confirms that about 42% of the population would prefer to delay the election in order to get the organic laws in place first, while 38% want an election first and let the newly elected government undertake the reforms, while the remainder think that both things should be done at the same time.

The government wants to have the organic laws in place first together with the right mechanism for the election of the new prime minister, in order to ensure that robust political institutions are in place at the time of the election. The need is sensible but the clock is ticking. The government is well aware of the need to redouble their efforts to put the required mechanisms in place as soon as possible.

Re: "The internet's scary tipping point", (Opinion, Jan 13).

Yesterday's article by Thomas Friedman provides a warning about the charm of 24/7 connectivity and the internet. The false notion of being "always connected" does not necessarily mean that we are becoming more informed, intelligent or wiser. The advent of "Internet of Things (IoT) is gradually turning into a vast wasteland of everything. In Thailand, social media has turned into a stranglehold for young people who remain suspended or choked for most of the day. They walk like zombies with their devices glued to their fingers. A new "look-down" generation clutching mobile devices has hardly any time to think, to deliberate, to exercise and explore other options in their lives.

The Stanford Graduate School of Education study rightly points to the dangers of social media. The new ventures in cloud computing is bound to further cloud the thinking of the new generation. The lack of training and mechanisms to process information at home and in the classrooms is fast approaching a tipping point.

Instead of giving warning signals or preaching about the hazards of social media, schools and colleges should aggressively implement mandatory courses and training programmes to educate young people about the hazards of long hours of browsing on their health and the effects of high doses of digital contaminants on their intellect. Just like air pollution, the internet, social media and excessive browsing should now be treated as a serious health hazard.

This last week I spent some time with my visiting daughter at a beautiful hotel south of Pattaya.

Both she and I were amazed by the amount of people taking selfies. Whilst lazing around enjoying the ambience we were surrounded by people taking pictures of themselves. Not for a few minutes, but continuously for hours.

Where will this narcissism end? Since the mobile phone came into being we have become a lost generation of addicted zombies.

In the future the days of showing old photos and letters written by our loved ones will be lost. So sad!

Re: "Education poser", (PostBag, Jan 13).

Kuldeep Nagi would like to know how questioning improves education. Ask those students who are invited to go abroad for educational events, participate in contests,and those who return to Thailand after lengthy visits overseas. They are exposed to places and ideas, and make friends in other countries.

These kids return and question, question, question. Their enthusiasm spreads to others. Many of these students will grow up to effect change in Thailand. Prince Mahidol sent promising medical students overseas with the intention that when they returned they would improve the medical practice in Thailand. Prince Mahidol fostered ideas that made advanced contributions to the medical system at the time, and it is evident today.

Putting up and shutting up may not foster an open mind or possibly good education. But one should contribute positively, as people tend to follow those with positive thoughts. It is always good to point out shortcomings as well. This helps foster improvement. But to constantly harp on what is wrong without suggesting viable, constructive solutions that could be carried out within the framework of the country is indicative of those who find fault with everything and just like to complain.

Again, Mr Nagi, don't follow the old proverb, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em", but do something to make the difference. I'm sure you'll figure it out. It is within the realms of ability to affect peaceful change. All you need is the initiative, the ideas, and the ability to carry them out. This makes the difference between the ordinary and the mediocre. I'm not Thai so I just go with the flow.

Re: "Skyway robbery?", (PostBag, Jan 12).

I read the letter about Air Asia bookings being a ruse. At the time I had no opinion about it. Later in the day I was asked to book two flights for friends on holiday here. I went to the Air Asia website to find the price. I was given a "total price" for the booking. When I tried to confirm and pay online, I thought I'd managed to side-step the offer of insurance, but somehow (don't ask me how) the price managed to increase by 150 baht per passenger.

Even when I cancelled and started again, the system refused to let me have the booking at the original price quoted, still adding another 150 baht again per passenger.

I had to accept it as time was short to get the booking details to the two friends with limited communications.

Then to top it all I saw an "email confirmation sent" message, only it didn't arrive. After half an hour I requested the system to send me another booking confirmation. That didn't arrive. I called Air Asia another half an hour later, who said they would send me yet another email confirmation -- making a total of three.

Not one email has yet arrived.