Big Tu: hero to zero
The government is cracking at the seams, and the down curve is inevitable.
The longer it clings to power with flimsy excuses, the worse it looks.
It will get to the point where all its positive accomplishments will be eclipsed by "watchgate", the 300-million-baht loan, and the police effort to find fault with the Thungyai Naresuan chief to minimise the main case of alleged poaching by the ITD tycoon.
No matter if the next government is corrupt and worse than the present government, the military government has been in place too long and elections need to take place. If they're not ready, it's their fault, not the public's.
They had enough time to do their homework. They could have also tried to find new blood to contest elections so the public could have an alternative to the old ineffective parties only good at filling their own pockets and keep the status quo between crime and law and order.
Nothing of the sort has been done and if Big Tu decides to run for elections, by the time people go to the voting booth his popularity will be at zero.
Clara Holzer
State of resignation
Lungstib writes in his Feb 19 letter that he truly believes Thais are in denial to the extent of the corruption here.
On the contrary, Lungstib.
Thais know very, very well the depth and extent of it. They are just resigned to it.
Keep in mind, even the local farmer can be considered corrupt when he sells his vote for 300 baht.
Then there is the case of the NACC against Suthep -- 10 years in the process.
The fatal hit-and-run case involving a young member of one of Thailand's richest families -- the list is long enough to wrap around the globe.
No, there is no denial here in Thailand. Only resigned acceptance.
MBW
Sentence: a new job
Many regional government officials, responsible for disbursing financial aid to the destitute, are accused of running a scam to defraud both the government and the very people who depend on this money for their survival.
However, I read that in Bung Kan, if they are found guilty, they may only be "transferred".
These are criminals posing as government officials who have been systematically preying on the most vulnerable members of society, as well as the nation's taxpayers. What will it take to convince the Thai justice system to get serious about tackling corruption and throw these shameless leeches in prison to serve lengthy sentences?
The only ray of hope I see on the horizon is that the young people of Thailand are shaping up to be the country's most moral and intelligent hope for the future.
They hold Thailand to a higher standard than the adults who are currently in power.
Young interns were the ones who blew the whistle on a wide-spread practice that they found shameful and that the so-called adult "professionals" seem to have "missed". Those interns should be rewarded and held up as role models.
Dave Proulx
Trump for loony bin
Re: "Trump visits Florida victims", (BP, Feb 18).
With nary a word about how the US might reduce the flood of guns among the American population -- including assault rifles -- President Donald Trump came out advocating the need for addressing mental health issues in America. I fully agree and respectfully suggest the proposed mental health initiative start with a thorough examination of Mr Trump himself, before he takes the country and the world further down the path of ruin and destruction.
Samanea Saman
Coal's days numbered
In 2017, wind and solar produced over 20% of all electricity in the EU. That's more than coal, natural gas -- and twice as much as hydro.
Just five years ago, coal-generated electricity was more than twice that of wind and solar.
Progress. Take note, Thailand.
Ken AlbertsenChiang Rai
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