It seems every Thai was talking about Miss Universe 2019 earlier this week (and I'm sure we'll be hearing about it for another week). Even though our Fahsai didn't win the title, she reached the top five and made us proud. What got people talking so much, besides how gorgeous she looked, was how she answered the question, which many think was picked for Thailand. MC Steve Harvey asked her, "Government surveillance is used to keep many nations and their people safe. But some believe this invades our right to privacy. What is more important to you, privacy or security?" Fahsai gave a PC answer, saying the government should find a way to keep people safe without invading people's privacy. A very safe answer but how would you come up with an answer to a complicated question in 30 seconds? A few people said her safe answer was because she wanted to return to Thailand.
Anywho, I've decided to do my bid in preparing our future contestants with some hard-hitting questions and suggested answers (which can be done in 30 seconds). Practice makes perfect, ladies.
1. Justice is blind. When someone is illegally in possession of protected forest land and has decided to return it to the state, should they face consequences or should they be forgiven?
Suggested answer: The wrongdoing has already been committed so they should be held accountable regardless, especially when there are people who have been punished for the same offence before. No country should exercise double-standard in its own justice system. It doesn't matter where you fall in the socioeconomic strata. I believe that everyone should be treated equally under the same law.
2. People in democratic countries enjoy the freedom of speech. However, is it acceptable to criticise your own nation? Would doing so be considered unpatriotic?
Suggested answer: One should have the right to voice concerns they have for their own country. Please allow me to put in an analogy. It's like you're in a long-term relationship with someone and you know their flaws. If you don't find anything wrong with them, then you're in a constant state of infatuation. Voicing concerns you have for them with good intentions can lead to improvement, possibly. Therefore, I would humbly argue that criticising your own nation or government is, in fact, an act of patriotism. Being indifference is worse.
3. There's a saying that goes, "Like father, like son" and "Like mother, like daughter". If you were a parent and people question the less-than-perfect behaviour of your dear child, how would you respond?
Suggested answer: If I were a parent and my child acts in an objectionable way, I would offer my apology to those who have been affected or offended. I also won't blame it on the school I sent them to. I believe the best teachers for any child is their parents. We teach them by being a good example ourselves. We teach them by doing what we preach. Children are our future but we're their role models. Although people may think that the younger generation would usher in changes to the world, the older generation should inspire them with their own actions, too.
P.S. Of course, these questions aren't inspired by any real-life incidents whatsoever.