OPINION

Paying for freedom

Vint Chavala writes: "I would like to respectfully remind Ambassador Davies that political activism in Thailand perpetually involves defying the country's lese majeste law. Whether the law is good or not is up to each individual's perspective and interpretation."

I am confused about the "perpetually defying" claim and the supposition that the intrinsic goodness or badness of such a law cannot be accurately judged. The reason that the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, poor victims and the silent and very scared minority here in Thailand perpetually blast the law, and how it is applied and the questionable justifications expressed for its necessity, is that there is a set of human values, ethics, morality and care for our fellow man that is well worth emulating; we do not have the right to undermine such rights via claims of local "needs" or astounding claims of being unique and thus possessing impunity.

Also, Mr Vint says "Since the junta insists … then we should wait for the case to go to trial before voicing protests." Mr Vint has surrendered carte blanche to the junta's wisdom, and why -- I do not care to guess.

Protests are not just a tradition or a fad or a cool thing to join once in a while. They bind humanity together, they get rid of some of the worst scum each generation brings into being, and they help resolve conflict on the one hand and terrible rule on the other. When protests are totally prohibited, and that prohibition is even adored by a so-called majority, then it is doubtful that good can ever really be maintained, much less obtained.

I think terrible bloodshed aspects of conflict are what's being touted as raison d'etre for the coup, Article 44, order 13/2559 et al. A good justification, of course. One where the tree of liberty will never, ever grow. The price of freedom is dear. Those who fought for it, died for it, made it possible for others to enjoy without the terrible sacrifices, these honoured dead ... to paraphrase Abraham Lincoln ... should not have died in vain.

Vint Chivala nailed it. None of these so called US government investigators have asked why when referring to the recent activity by the Thai government. They come here with instructions from Washington and act like they know it all. What a bunch of unprepared ignoramuses.

I would like to commend you for your editorial on May 11, "Delay the TPP talks". You have read your tea leaves on this topic correctly. I and an increasing chorus of American citizens have campaigned against this, its Atlantic counterpart the TTIP, and other so-called "free" trade pacts for years. It seems our elected representatives in DC are finally beginning to listen, as well as those campaigning for the presidency.

"Free" trade has been an unmitigated disaster for the American people. Its only beneficiaries are multinational corporations, the ruling class and the wealthy; exactly those you name in your letter.

On a separate issue, I would like to applaud assistant news editor Sirinya Wattanasukchai and the sentiments she expresses in "New Purple Line makes me see red", of the same date. I live in Nonthaburi so, like her, I've been looking forward to the opening of the Purple Line. My first inkling when my wife informed me the trial runs would go to Tao Pun was that something was amiss. "Tao Pun?" I queried. "Who wants to go to Tao Pun?"

Ah, foolish me. Ms Sirinya's letter on the same day opened my eyes. Yes, unbelievably, the SRT has done it again, repeating their SNAFU with the airport link in 2010, this time leaving a kilometre between Tao Pun and Bang Sue. Astonishing! I can still hardly believe it. Why, in heavens name, would anyone do such a thing?

Now, I don't know what passes for accountability in this country, especially given the current political situation, but if I were Thai I would scream bloody murder over this and demand someone's hide. But then that's just me. I still believe in the rather quaint notion that the government is answerable to the people.

Posts from David James Wong and Jack Gilead continue to be embarrassing in their erroneous assumptions. David Wong accused Eric Bahrt of "relying on opinions etc" and then goes on to do the very same thing. Jack Gilead does the very same thing in his remarks.

I have just returned from New York and took the opportunity to go to a Trump rally to see for myself.

Mr Trump's speech was filled with lies, crude innuendo, impossible promises and unbelievable misrepresentation of the facts. It is not unexpected as his whole policy team is made up of names unknown in serious circles.

I had dinner with three senior GOP members who agree entirely with my analysis. Also, when comments are made that he represents American people, I would point out that the total number of votes he got is less than 5% of the electorate.

On the comments regarding Mr Obama, he won two elections and has the highest ratings of any previous president at this stage in his presidency -- that would hardly fit your evaluation. Republicans and acolytes like you have brought this on yourselves with your reactionary actions in the house and senate. Do not believe me; believe Paul Ryan, leader of the house and senior Republican.

Re: "Volunteers to man rail crossings nationwide", (BP, May 13).

Along with this measure, drastic legislation should be placed by SRT and the Ministry of Transport. That is, all illegal crossings be closed immediately and those who made them be prosecuted for destruction of SRT's property and trespassing. Volunteers assigned to illegal crossings can be utilised to help the closure operation, then reassigned to legal crossings as reinforcement.

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