Army wins, Thais lose?

Times have changed. Yesterday's enemies can be today's allies in the face of a bigger common threat. All the major political parties must put their self-interests aside and work together. Can they? Or is "the game" already locked in, the pieces and the moves already determined?

The new constitution makes it difficult for the emergence of a dominant party, preferring instead a weak coalition government much like prior to the Thai Rak Thai era. If the new elected coalition government cannot unite, this will usher in military intervention. History will repeat itself. If political alliances do not happen, this, too, will extend today's military rule. "Heads", the military wins. "Tails", the military's opponents lose. Such is the tragedy for Thais.

Politicians of all sorts have seen their characters assassinated over the past three years. Their branding equity is at its lowest point, in contrast to the deliberate boost of the "army brand". But with politicians, at least voters have some power to decide which party and its policies to vote for. They could criticise the elected government, unlike the current military junta. There was accountability, unlike now. If politicians didn't deliver as promised, the voters could (ideally) choose another competitive party at the next election, unlike now.

With political parties in Thailand bruised and in tatters, "foreign sharks" are circling around us, waiting for the right moment to shape Thailand's destiny. As one writer puts it, "If you can't take care of your daughter, someone else will".

While the political dramas are unfolding -- the clash of conservative vs progressive forces -- how many more years of foregone opportunities will ordinary Thais suffer? Ning from Udon Thani could have sent her three kids to high school if it weren't for the bad economy. Aunt Jib from the South could've saved enough for her back surgery. Ping from Chiang Mai could have received an overseas scholarship to realise her dream of becoming a doctor if it weren't for the budget cuts. Unable to sell due to low demand, Poo from Bangkok couldn't afford to bail her son out for petty theft. It's the invisible stories -- things we cannot see but could have seen -- that are lost or delayed.

Can politicians -- or possibly new generations of politicians -- offer genuine leadership in place of military rule? Can new political parties help those people achieve their dreams? Is it too late to salvage what is left? I'll leave these as open questions.

Edward Kitlertsirivatana
Killer billboards

The local media reported that the man on whose property a tree was located is being sued for manslaughter for the tree falling on and killing a motorcyclist. How about people suing the BMA when their ugly billboards topple onto the ground during storms and also kill unsuspecting people at ground level?

Jack Gilead
Big-mouthed Wan

Wan Ubumrung, son of Chalerm Ubumrung, wrote nasty things about the prime minister and the generals, telling them to go to hell on his Facebook account. All he did was to apologise (BP, June 1).

Big-mouthed Wan, as unstable as his infamous daddy, should have been punished, just like "ordinary" citizens. But the Ubumrungs are extraordinary in a special way, all needing professional help.

David James Wong
US a rogue state

Now that US President Donald Trump has sided with Syria and Nicaragua and taken the US out of the Paris Climate Accord the time has come to label this country a rogue state (BP, June 2). It is for the civilised countries of the world to get together and put severe sanctions on the US to show our collective disgust at their actions, a country that has such disregard for science and the future of our planet.

In the meantime, every one of us who cares for our planet must avoid buying anything that comes from or is associated with America. From Colgate to Whiskers, Coke to Ford, these products are now all tainted. They will be cheaper than their counterparts because the country would rather destroy the planet than affect their bottom line.

Trump wants to isolate the country from the rest of the world in the image of North Korea. Let's help him to at least achieve this campaign promise.

The actions of the many could bring the US to its collective senses so that they will eventually put a rational president in the White House.

Grahame Hawthorn
Trumpeting health

Re: "Rude awakening from what is a Trump nightmare", (Opinion, May 29).

Surely there is another possibility to end the Trump presidency. Here is a guy in his early 70s, overweight and fond of junk food. Of course, he plays golf but would not be the first to drop dead on the tee. He claims to have "great" blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but many people who have suffered heart attacks have boasted the same.

I do not wish Mr Trump any serious health woes or a sudden transfer to paradise, but would suggest he limits himself to just one scoop of ice cream on his chocolate pie. As Donald Rumsfeld immortally reminded us, "Stuff happens!".

Barry Kenyon
Amazing Donald

Donald Trump's accomplishments during just five months as US president are truly awe-inspiring. He has managed to hand Asia over to China, Western Europe to Russia, and the Earth's climate to the coal miners.

Other than that, how did you enjoy the play, Mrs Lincoln?

Bogren
Danger to planet

Re: "Merkel says EU can't fully rely on US, UK", (BP, May 30).

Credit should be given to German Chancellor Angela Merkel for calling out the truth about Donald Trump and his dangerous isolationist views. Most world leaders have been far too circumspect in not criticising the US president -- perhaps in hope that he will somehow moderate his views after some time in office. By now, however, it should be clear to all that will not happen.

Beyond Chancellor Merkel correctly calling the Trump spade a "spade", leaders need to speak out more forcefully in recognising Donald Trump as a menace and a danger to the world and the planet's future. Not only is he undermining the basic foundations that have served to maintain Western democracy, peace and freedom since World War II, he is also working to initiate policies that will destroy the very environment we all need for survival.

Perhaps it is time for the G7 to oust Trump from the group of key global leaders.

Samanea Saman
Europe goes it alone

Re: "Germany is the Silicon Valley of political innovation", (Opinion, June 1).

Never before have I read such a positive article about Germany written by a well-known US journalist. One can only hope that Trump will read it too. His attacks on Germany are simply wrong and foolish. Germany is strong in exports, because the products are of great quality.

With George Bush I had thought the US had reached the lowest possible level of a president but Trump is beating him. One can only hope that some sort of impeachment will apply before he creates more severe problems for the US and the world.

It is really not understandable that the "leading nation" of the world has no better candidates for president than the last two. Prior to Brexit I would have suggested that the US, under such a president, be returned to the UK as a colony. Now, we can only hope that Europe can find its own and independent way in world politics.

Lupus
A Bahrt apology

As David James Wong noted in his June 1 letter, "Mysterious claims", there was an isolated terrorist attack in the occupied territories in Israel in 1971. But that hardly justifies 50 years of occupation and the illegal spreading of the settlements in the Occupied Territories. And that goes to the root cause of the problem.

Still, I apologise for my mistake.

Eric Bahrt
Saving the seas

Last year Thailand ratified the FAO Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), the world's first binding international treaty aimed at combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

This illegal modality accounts for around one-sixth of all fish caught in the oceans, and constitutes a great public danger as it undermines global efforts to make sure that fish -- the world's most produced, consumed and traded animal protein -- are a sustainable resource for global nutrition and food security, as well as for millions of jobs.

The PSMA, which currently has 46 parties including the European Union, marks a sea change both in its legal form and in its practical potential.

Under its protocol, foreign fishing vessels must show all required operating licences, their activity logs, and submit to inspections of their catch.

Port authorities are obliged to deny services to vessels in violation of the rules and to report them to other countries, making it harder for illegal operators to offload and sell the fish they catch elsewhere.

The FAO, which brokered the treaty, is also delivering other tools to put an end to IUU fishing. It has a new initiative to improve flag-state compliance, a new set of voluntary guidelines on Catch Documentation Schemes -- a passport of sorts without which fish can lose access to markets -- and is in the process of creating a transparent and comprehensive Global Record of Fishing Vessels. All of these instruments complement the PSMA.

It is noteworthy that the new treaty was in fact enhanced and expanded, not watered down, in its journey from draft text to binding law. That clearly shows how seriously the international community supported a powerful, viable and enduring instrument to end IUU fishing.

I call upon all nations that have not yet joined the PSMA to become part of it.

As important as it is to make its remit universal, what is more important is making the new rules stick. Implementing the PSMA will require a host of actions, including streamlined cross-border real-time communications systems, national legislative reviews, and skilled inspectors capable of identifying actual fish both by species and likely age, as well as ascertaining whether the gear used to catch them is allowed.

The new rules' ultimate strength will be determined by the weakest link, so all countries have a stake in making sure that no member lacks the technical capacity to deliver on treaty obligations.

Ocean governance is evolving quickly. With the PSMA, the international community has produced a powerful, viable and enduring instrument to serve as a basis for effectively combating illegal fishing.

Jose Graziano da SilvaFAO Director-General
Mixed businesses

Mr Michael Setter, in his June 1 letter, "Bad state of affairs", mentioned an announcement by PTT that it would go into the hotel business. We would like to respond to the issue as follows:

Even though PTT is a state enterprise, we operate our business on a free-market basis, especially the oil business where we are among 40 brands of oil retailers.

Most PTT gas stations are owned and operated by dealers who are SMEs while PTT owns only 20% of the total stations and 15% of Café Amazon shops around the country.

We honour and welcome SMEs as our business partnership as we grow toward the future together as well as in hotel business where we aim for an extension of the use of existing facilities in gas stations to support frequent travellers or the like.

We also utilise space in gas stations for it to be available for and support community services as we set up PTT stations as Life stations, a place for everyone to enjoy all sorts of lifestyles.

Aunchalee WangveeramitVice president, Corporate CommunicationPTT Pcl
A 'covfefe' question

Re: "Trump hates bad press covfefe. What?" (BP, June 1).

But does the US's elected and accountable Trump despise "the constant negative press covfefe" as sincerely as Thailand's unelected and self-amnestied PM of many questions?

Felix Qui
Uncharitable rich

I see from the latest list of the super rich here in Thailand that, unsurprisingly, they are getting richer (Business, June 1).

What I would like to see for a change is a list of the people who give to charity, the amounts and the charities they give to. I wonder how many of the super rich we would find on that list.

A Reader
02 Jun 2017 02 Jun 2017
04 Jun 2017 04 Jun 2017

SUBMIT YOUR POSTBAG

All letter writers must provide a full name and address. All published correspondence is subject to editing at our discretion

SEND