I read about a mosque construction project in Nan with interest (Spectrum, Jan 25).
There are supposedly 60 Muslims in Nan province and of course they also want to have a place to worship.
It would have been more intelligent not to choose a 1,300-member community to build it in but nevertheless there must be a place to worship for everyone.
As an afterthought I remembered that about 20,000 Thais work in Saudi Arabia.
Of course they also want to have a place to pay respect to Buddha, make merit and get some spiritual lift-up by talking to Buddhist monks.
Maybe Buddhist temples could be built in Riyadh, Jeddah and Medina. The Saudis finance the construction of mosques all over the world as they understand the need for their fellow Muslims for a place to worship.
They certainly understand also the need of other fellow humans even when they adhere to other religions in their need for a place to worship.
Maybe they can provide some unused land in the desert near the towns and we in Thailand can organise donations for the construction costs.
In the spirit of peaceful coexistence of the religions I am willing to donate the first 100 baht for that cause.
PS: I understand there are also 300,000 Filipinos working in Saudi Arabia.
I guess somebody back in the Philippines certainly would be willing to contribute donations to build Catholic churches in Saudi Arabia for their fellow Christians.
It would be a wonderful example of religions living peacefully together. Maybe the Saudi embassy in Bangkok can give some comment and perhaps even welcome news of the go-ahead for the construction of wats and churches in Saudi Arabia.
Karl Reichstetter
Down with dynasties
I applaud Saritdet Marukatat for his article about Thai democracy and the impeachment against ex-prime minister Yingluck (Opinion, Jan 26).
Thailand isn’t a democracy and has a long way to go to achieve this goal. And it won’t certainly come from those family dynasties such as the Shinawatras who exploit broken political systems for their own interest.
I have a lot of sympathy for the red shirts championing the cause of the poor and the country − only to be hijacked by the Thaksin clan and his cronies.
If the red-shirt leaders really want to do something for their followers they should distance themselves from the yoke of these plutocrats and go it their own way. The future will be theirs.
On the other hand, Khun Saritdet is right to blame the West, the United States and Europe, for their hypocritical business dealings with all sort of regimes, be they dictatorial, fascist or totalitarian. Follow the money.
They don’t have many lessons to give to Thailand.
So, instead of constantly criticising this country and playing into the hands of so-called "democrats" from all sides of the political spectrum, they should do everything to help ensure a better life for all (good education for all, healthcare, housing).
VL
Roti deal needed
I wish the Ayutthaya governor and parties involved would negotiate with the roti stalls run by Muslim locals in front of Ayutthaya hospital.
The charm of tourism and seeing how to make the local snacks will be reduced but orderly traffic in the area should also be a priority. I hope all will be settled well.
Somwut Suntornvijitr
Thieves help too
Andreas Kertschner is right when he says the rice money wasn’t lost (PostBag, Jan 27).
Money stolen by thieves is equally not lost because thieves also stimulate the economy by investing the proceeds in say, private planes, gold mines and football clubs.
Clara Holzer
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