Missing the point
Andre Machielsen in his Oct 16 letter, "It's the corruption", takes me to task for supposedly failing to take note of the corruption which plagued the Pheu Thai government's rice-pledging scheme, but in doing so he misses the point of my imaginary exam question to imaginary students of politics and economics.
The rice-pledging scheme came under attack right from the moment it was launched, before accusations of corruption surfaced, with claims that it would cause a huge financial loss to the nation, and was just a cynical vote buying exercise. The recently announced welfare card scheme, which also aims to redistribute taxpayers' money to the needy, has, in contrast, been praised, and the Office of Agricultural Economics estimates that the ultimate benefit to the economy will amount to 2.5 times the investment cost of the scheme.
The potential impact of corruption did not form part of my question, which simply addressed the economic principles and political implications involved in both schemes, and asked why one scheme had been praised, and the other condemned. Mr Machielsen hasn't answered that question.
He also states that 20 farmers committed suicide as a result of the rice-pledging scheme. I do not know where he sourced this information, or how reliable it is, but a report issued in February 2014 by the Mental Health Department stated that they had investigated the reported suicides of 13 farmers, and had found that the rice-pledging scheme was not a major factor in these tragic events.
Mr Machielsen is however right to point out that this is not a simple issue. The interplay between politics and economics never is.
Robin Grant
Pattaya in my dreams
"I wonder if anyone at Pattaya City Hall actually does their job?" asks a business owner as quoted in a recent news report about flooding in Pattaya City. Provided one understands their job description, the answer is, "of course they do".
The first priority of those at Pattaya city hall is to protect and elevate their personal status. The corollary to this principle is that money in their pockets always determines policy decisions, contract awards and work orders.
This results in the implementation of reverse engineering perfected "Pattaya style", meaning everything is designed to require continuous maintenance and perpetual repair.
The storm drains running under Central Pattaya Road were once again repaired last month. Pattaya's recent flooding is testimony to the effectiveness of this bit of reverse civil engineering.
If city residents want more parks, more parking spaces, fewer stray dogs, less traffic jams, fewer potholes, less crime, less noise pollution, no jet ski scammers, an end to the baht bus mafia, more taxis, clean public restrooms, a clean beach, no beach vendors, decent sidewalks, a public transportation system, etc, etc, they need to take collective and forceful action to bring about real change, all while realising Pattaya City Hall is the enemy of reform at every level.
A charismatic skilful leader is also needed to help fulfil the people's dream of Pattaya someday becoming a liveable city.
Mr M
Tale as old as time
The military government should reconsider the case in which two retired generals filed lese majeste charge against Thailand's well-known academic and social critic Sulak Sivaraksa for his comment about an elephant duel in Ayutthaya 400 years ago.
Historic events that happened such a long time ago should be open to questions as well as reconsideration: since there are no living witnesses to verify such events as truthful.
Furthermore, historic events that involved two countries should be accepted as being based on facts by the living citizens of both countries -- as well as others.
Thailand's lese majeste law is widely perceived by people living in Thailand, as well as the international community, as having been written to protect the royal members of the Chakri Dynasty from defamatory and unlawful criticisms -- exclusive of any other dynasties in the country's ancient history.
Lastly, Arjahn Sulak is one of Thailand's most respectable elders. Therefore, his critiques should be regarded as constructive and are meant to uplift our country's name -- by way of constantly asking for the truth.
Vint Chavala
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