OPINION

Know the difference

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon is reported in the Bangkok Post on Jan 16 as vehemently insisting there is no Islamic State (IS) militant presence in Thailand. This was quite reassuring until I got to the bit where Gen Prawit states, “I can confirm intelligence has not detected any activities of the IS group in Thailand.”

There is, in my opinion, a huge difference between insisting IS is not present here, and there being no intelligence detecting any IS activities. Perhaps fate is being tempted by the former statement, which may only be wishful thinking. I hope he is right, though.

Martin R

Re: “Thai-US treaty alliance needs realigning”, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, (BP, Jan 15).

One critical issue that is missing in this article is about who is dependent on whom? We should not forget that the Thai economy largely depends upon direct foreign investment, manufacturing, exports and the travel industry.

The US and its allies in the region will continue to shun Thailand for its ever-changing system of governance, military coups and constant disruptions in developing a viable democracy. They are already looking elsewhere to put their money and resources. Unless Thailand goes back to electing a civilian government it will face more challenges to achieve the kind of close partnership Japan, Korea and India has developed with the US and other Western countries. I do agree with Mr Thitinan that in coming years geopolitical implications will be far-reaching as Thailand’s military regime and conservative establishment finds itself succour in Beijing’s support.

Although China has become an economic power, not many countries in the world would like to emulate its governance model. The ongoing crisis in Hong Kong is a sufficient cause for concern for Thailand and many other countries.

Kuldeep Nagi

Kip Keino is right in complaining about temples using high-powered loudspeakers to blast disturbingly loud chanting that can be heard for about half a kilometre around. The same goes for weddings, funerals and ordinations. What is worse is that many temples have ceased to be bastions of Buddhism devoted to the population. They have become palaces of glitz and kitsch, only interested in making money.

Wat Hua Lamphong in Sam Yan district of Bangkok is a great example. The kiosks selling incantations, charms, amulets etc are a disgrace. The electric lights, glitter, sparklers and whatnot, reflecting light off that place make it look more like a commercial circus than a temple. The monks there are advertising their wealth, not their so called Buddhist humility.

When was the last time that temple handed out food to the needy or homeless?

The Sangha Council has probably never left its premises for the past 50 years, judging by the ages of its members.

They haven’t the slightest idea what the real Bangkok, the real Thailand, or the real state of temples are any more. And to think, only Michael Jackson lived in Neverland.

Jack Gilead

Eric Bahrt writes, “I don’t feel much sympathy for the tourist who was bitten on the nose by a snake at a snake show in Bangkok.”

Eric, remind me not to send flowers when you are bitten in the behind by one of your readers. While you appear to have good intentions, perhaps it might be worthwhile to further educate yourself in the methods of effective communication so you do not raise the ire and condemnation of Postbag readers quite so often.

Michael SetterBang Saray

I totally agree with Umesh Pandey (Opinion, Jan 15) that it’s outrageous not to try rapists (even if they kill the woman) as an adult if they’re under the age of 18. It’s insulting to even a 12-year-old boy, who probably has a mother or a sister, to suggest that he doesn’t know you’re not supposed to rape people.

While we live in a world where it is acceptable to murder and torture billions of innocent animals for food, clothes and research, we’re supposed to feel sorry for an “underage” piece of human garbage who rapes and murders women. If you’re old enough to commit rape, you’re old enough to know it’s wrong.

Eric BahrtChiang Mai

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