The concept that Thailand’s political crisis is simply a struggle between the “elites” and the long-suffering masses — still implied by many of your correspondents — is naive and disingenuous. The people demonstrating in Bangkok in their hundreds of thousands are, in fact, taxpayers. The “elites” of the world don’t pay taxes — they employ clever accountants instead!
Then what is peculiar to Thailand (and other developing countries) that makes it so difficult to employ the principles of democracy enjoyed by more socially advanced countries?
Current statistics show that from a working population of some 38 million only 10 million complete tax returns. In other words, three out of four voters can vote for outrageously reckless populist policies without any concern for who’s going to pick up the bill! This situation does not arise in more sophisticated domains because the majority pay tax, and are more concerned with viability and overall effects on the economy.
Hence any group of individuals can put together a manifesto designed to take over the nation’s finances (including some that benefit the very poor indirectly, but are enacted in such a skilfully opaque manner as to allow the anticipated opportunity for corruption for the party faithful).
This option is currently available to all Thai political parties.
The demonstrators in Bangkok, like them or not, have managed to stop the present administration in its tracks and successfully brought about an atmosphere where some reform must now take place. Surely that must be a step in the right direction!
Tony Ash
POWER LANGUAGE MANIPULATES
Saturday’s opinion article under the heading “Abolishing the term 'rape' might boost convictions”, is truly shocking. George Orwell would snicker over hearing how the writer suggests that branding new words for the crime of rape will result in juries being more willing to convict. Maybe before writing laws, the government can do target audience test marketing to pick language that will result in convictions. If that works maybe juries won’t be necessary at all. And to a degree we are doing that now. The power language of advocates of one viewpoint regarding an issue routinely makes it into new legislation.
If this slippery slope to justice doesn’t alarm you I suggest that it should. In our modern age every zealot knows to take the initiative at branding power words that others can’t fight back against. In trafficking branded words include “rescuing victims” and “buying women”. Regarding slavery, the term “modern day slavery” is now part of our lexicon. But all these issues are more complex than a few emotional power words lead us to believe. These issues do not deserve to be dumbed down to get swifter justice. Manipulating justice in this way is dangerous to us all.
John Kane
SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE
In his letter, "Misplaced jumbo post" (BP, May 10), Bruce Wright wonders if it was left there because removing it might cause the release of the wrath of a powerful spirit. In Thailand, where government leaders (and a good part of the population) consult sooth-sayers, fortune-tellers, astrologers, magical monks, feng-shui masters and whatever else, it is wise not to stir up any possible spirit that might upset the apple cart. Who knows what lurks deep down beneath the ground? Besides, Bruce, it adds “local colour” to another sterile shopping plaza.
Jack Gilead
CORRUPTION 'UBIQUITOUS'
It is standard practice in developed countries for those convicted of crimes to be punished accordingly. Justice is thereby seen to be served.
Thus we witness Silvio Berlusconi sentenced to one year of community service for tax fraud. His associate, Marcello Dell’Utri, convicted of collusion, fled Italy to avoid punishment. Prosecutors found him in a luxury hotel in Lebanon, where he was arrested, and now seek his extradition.
Why is it extremely difficult to imagine the same scenario in Thailand? Perhaps because corruption is so ubiquitous that virtually everyone of position and wealth would be quaking in their boots.
Michael Setter
Bang Saray
POLITICIANS TAKE NOTE
Following on from R Watson’s “Good riddance” and Martin R’s “More puppetry” (BP, May 10): Politicians take note because after all these years Lincoln is still right.
“You can fool all of the people some of the time. You can fool some of them all of the time. But you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” Politicians take note.
Ramie
Attack on media undemocratic
PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban's laid siege to our free-to-air TV stations, demanding that the stations give more coverage to the PDRC and cease broadcasting any news from the government. Mr Suthep's demand for one-sided coverage is solidly against democratic principles and must be condemned, for "intellectual freedom means the right to re-examine much that has been long taken for granted. A free man must be a reasoning man, and he must dare to doubt what a legislative or electoral majority may most passionately assert" (Robert H Jackson).
As Lord Buddha said, "Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true." To follow Lord Buddha's instructions, we need to hear both sides.
Instead of one-sided coverage, stations should air debates on what reforms are needed, with both the government and PDRC sending representatives. If either side declined, it would be represented by a cardboard dummy, and its time given to its opponent.
Burin Kantabutra
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