OPINION

You don't know better

"Sunday's referendum results show Thais are sick of politicians' games and want a cleaner form of democracy", (BP, Aug 8). The article quoted people making exactly the kind of comments you would have expected and showed their arrogance and disdain for ordinary people.

The political parties such as Democrats and Yingluck Shinawatra are very good at talking and lecturing people but they are tone deaf and don't listen. This is because they think they know everything -- a big problem with phu yai in Thailand.

Thai red-shirt personage Jatuporn Prompan, who always claims to want majority rule when his side benefits said "the regime won thanks to unfair rules". To him, I suppose it's always "unfair" when they lose.

Most of the academics quoted correctly said that Gen Prayut's support before the referendum increased the "yes" vote, but they made it sound like there is something wrong with this rather than that people respect Gen Prayut and think he is doing a good job.

As the voice of the farang lost in the woods, Paul Chambers of the Institute of Southeast Asian Affairs stated, "This is a grand day for the resurrection of enshrined military power," which is itself very elitist and undemocratic. "We know better" is the attitude of NGOs like him.

The United States government should take note of the referendum's results, especially the popularity of Prime Minister Prayut, and reverse its unfair policy towards the country. A former nai yai ("Big Boss") leader uses lots of paid lobbyists but the US embassy should be on the side of the Thai people for a change.

I watched Sopita Tanasan win the weight-lifting Gold Medal in the Olympics. Her beautiful smile after each lift was infectious. I was smiling too.

Thankfully, when she won, I did not cry.

It would be good to see Ratchanok Intanon who is Thailand's badminton champion also have a big win.

These two young ladies clearly are ambassadors of the famous "Thai Smile"!

When people voted for Thaksin -- whom I still very much dislike -- they were stupid, uninformed and uneducated. When they vote for Prayut, however, it shows the will of the people. Interesting!

Re: "True needs focus", (PostBag Aug 8).

It seems many expat customers aren't aware of an alternative channel provider like ILIKEHDTV.com. For a meagre 250 baht a month, nearly 100 channels are available. Simply purchase a "True Money" voucher at any 7/11 and apply. It even offers nine Rio channels via BBC Sport.

Re: "13,000 rai of land ready for redistribution to the poor", (BP, Aug 7).

In my humble opinion the poor have more to be thankful for to Prime Minister Prayut than to fugitive former PM Thaksin. Gen Prayut is distributing the land with the good of the poor in mind, and asking for nothing in return. Thaksin never did anyone a favour, neither the poor nor the farmers, without expecting something in return. Bravo Gen Prayut. If I were Thai, you'd have had my "yes" vote.

What does the "yes" vote really mean? That people are fed up of corrupt, self-serving politicians? Possibly. That they want stability and then to return to democratic elections? Probably. That they still haven't got a clue what they really voted for? I leave you to answer that.