‘Suicide’ watch
With international pressure piling up on the government for the non-professional manner in which it investigated and tried the two migrants who were convicted of raping and murdering two British backpackers, it would be very convenient if the Myanmar lads suddenly died while in custody.
This must not happen. All too many have died while in custody, with reasons such as stress being cited, causing many to wonder if wardens assisted in or caused the deaths. To have those convicted in a high-profile case such as Koh Tao die while in custody would only confirm suspicions.
The government should put the Koh Tao duo on suicide watch and take exemplary care of their health until the case has run its course.
Burin Kantabutra
Identify yourself!
In the Dec 26 editorial, the Bangkok Post said: “Indeed, respect, open-mindedness and tolerance must be made part of the national identity.”
This point of view, while certainly well-meant, is flawed and misdirected. Flawed because tolerance and open-mindedness arise when the separative gesture that is the identification with “Thainess” is transcended. Misdirected because to seek to overlay this difference equating the notion of “Thainess” (or any conception of national identity, whether “American-ness” or “Laoness”, or whatever) with tolerance is inherently impossible.
If a nation’s identity is to not see difference, then one might inquire as to what identity is left?
It might be termed diversity and inclusiveness, but that is obviously not what anyone aspires to assume as a unique national identity. It is the same global aspiration of all nations.
These are two currents moving in opposite directions. One represents the future of humankind, the other its past. I would urge citizens to choose intelligently.
Michael Setter
Quirks of ‘love’
It is kind of unbelievable that love (sex) scenes are still damned (BP, Dec 26) while children can see all kinds of violence and yelling on Thai TV throughout the day
Love is the main thing to maintain humanity, and violence only kills it.
A peaceful 2016 for everybody,with a lot of love.
Dutchie
Deathly silence
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Friday the sixth road death in New South Wales since the start of the holiday season.
If this was Thailand it would not even make a news brief, unless it was to rejoice in the fact that “only” six people had died on the road since the start of the holiday season.
David Brown
A new opinion
On a closing note for 2015, for the New Year, the editorial staff of the Bangkok Post should consider approaching Ima Lyer (Re: ''Keep up the good work'', Dec 26) to write a weekly or monthly column. It makes far better morning reading than the drippy, redundant, doom and gloom columns, letters and other such that we must suffer with our morning coffees on these beautiful days.
There rarely seems to be a bright side to Thailand these days, especially for those who must appear before its “unbiased, thorough” law courts where (Thai) justice seems to be meted out to all, rich, poor, Thais and non-Thais equally.
Yeah! Have a great year, Ima.
David James Wong
Writing on the wall
I am always happy to spend my winter holiday in Thailand, away from my home city in Europe with its vandalised trains, subways and graffiti smeared walls and public buildings.
Much to my disgust, this plague of graffiti is now starting in Bangkok. The authorities should not allow a few irresponsible social misfits to make a slum out of Bangkok.
Follow the Singaporean way: “You damage public property, you pay for it !”
Farang Ki Nock
Let there be light
So, the BMA has spent 39 million baht on a “light tunnel”, even while it can’t seem to keep the streetlights functioning in Ari?
Another example of prioritising “spectacle” (projecting a good “face”) over safety (acting competently)!
George Rothschild
Driven to drink
I was pleased to hear that 22 drink drivers were arrested recently and their cars impounded.
Wonder if they will be asked to reconstruct their crimes for a photo shoot?
Fantia
