OPINION

Lying to yourself

Re: "Army chief apologises for soldier's death", (BP, March 4).

Why does the Thai government continue to stress on an almost daily basis, that it guarantees neutrality, transparency, and equal justice for every Thai?

Not a day goes by without a statement from a civilian spokesman, a military spokesman or a police spokesman. It is so farcical. The Red Bull story has made headlines in every major newspaper around the world. Is the government trying to convince locals or those on an international scale? The government has failed in both instances.

Re: "Army opens probe into soldier's death", (BP, April 2).

Can any reporters/readers explain where these inactive posts are located?

Back to the blackboard

I read Mr Mango's response to my concerns over allowing retirees to teach in Thailand and would like to clear up some misconceptions. First, I am neither "exuberant," nor youthful.

I will celebrate my 40th birthday in August. I am furthering my education as a mature student and I plan to forge a career lecturing at the university.

Second, when Mr. Mango says "let's concentrate on [the] academic," I could not help but notice that there was no academic.

Mr Mango claimed that the biggest changes in education over the last 50 years were to do with air conditioning, lack of a dress code, and technology. Only one of the three is correct.

Fifty years ago, we were largely teaching upon BF Skinner's behaviourist approach. Then, we went through cognitivism, constructionism, and now are contending with Transformational Learning.

Fifty years ago, we had no Systematic Instructional Design process to eliminate trial-and-error in the curriculum. Today, we have dozens and I could go on at length.

Buddha would remind us all that life is impermanent. We all have our time in the sun and, when I am around 60 or so, it will be time for me to stand aside for the next generation of teachers, too.

Re: "Free rides till year end on Green Line route", (BP, April 4).

Giving free rides is wrong. Although a free service would attract commuters, it is financially unsound. It would incur lossses no matter who the operator is.

For this reason, I agree with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to raise the BRT fare from five to 15 baht. A five-baht fare is unreasonably cheap -- even a taxi bike ride costs more.

A recent NIDA poll revealed that the majority of Thais surveyed disagreed with the 1,000-baht surcharge levied for late payment of traffic fines.

Those with money cherish the option of paying for justice to be waived in their favour, (the Red Bull scandal comes to mind), while the poor must pay regardless of whether leniency is appropriate or not.

Is it any wonder Thais are not receptive to the Thai version of justice?

Re: "Boycott Red Bull", (PostBag, April 3).

Thanks Peter, that's a brilliant idea. Please someone who is internet savvy set this up: A Facebook page? Internationally this will be very easy if we can identify suppliers/distributors.

I'll work on it in my own small way but I don't have the skills to set up an international campaign.

Re: "Subs deal 'is cheap'", (Editorial, April 2).

In reference to the government's submarine deal, are these subs necessary and are they any good? It's like buying something at a shop sale for the sake of saving money.