Theft of a nation
Academic Seksan Prasertkul is a sensible man.
Ad hominem insults that arrogantly dismiss those you disagree with as being "bad" contradict the basic premise of democracy: all have an equal right to a voice in the form of society and its government, however offensive some might (disingenuously) claim such ideas to be. Those who colluded to seize power by brute force on the ground that the popular choice was "bad" have but proved their rejection of the good morals that found democracy.
If you think a choice is wrong, you use reason and facts to persuade others, not force. Resorting to force is an admission that you have no sound reasons for your selfish prejudices. The currently ruling politicians who stole the Thai nation from the Thai people, who are the true Thai nation, are necessarily bad in their explicit rejection of the basic moral ideals of democracy.
They should properly be rejected by all good people, irrespective of how those good people feel towards the pretty awful Pheu Thai group. Respect for democracy does demand that those who espouse ideas that are held to be offensive, even by a majority, must be accorded the right to state and argue for their opinions as to how Thai society and its government should be organised. Contrary to eight decades of modern Thai history, that reason and good morals are against you fails to justify the use of military force against the nation.
Felix Qui
Divided we fall...
The situation Seksan Prasertkul is addressing, that the electorate is divided into "good" and "bad" people, is not a phenomenon limited to Thailand. Also in Western countries like the US, Germany or France there is a division, where a liberal elite is looking down on the allegedly lesser educated voters of Right populist parties. Populist voters on the other hand condemn the liberal elites as being out of touch with the real world. The definition of who's "good" or "bad" depends on the side you are on and which one is holding power. However, democracy will be locked in stalemate if we are unable to change perspectives to overcome this division.
Aurel Krimbacher
Pollution cause murky
We see daily reports of how unhealthy the air quality in northern Thailand is and what the effects on health are. But there's no reporting on the origin of the smoke. Where is it coming from? And what needs to be done to stop it? Please tell us.
William Tuffin
Premchai's easy ride
ITD CEO Premchai, caught red-handed in a forest reserve with the pelt of a protected black leopard, its tail in a pot, and hunting rifles at hand, faces significant jail time if convicted. His bail bond of 150,000 baht is even less than petty cash for him, and will not hinder him in the least if he absconds.
Posting of bail is a significant privilege, not a right, and must be big enough so the defendant will not flee.
Recalling that 30 million baht wasn't enough to keep Yingluck around, Premchai's bond should be more than hers, say, 50 million baht or he could post his entire ITD holdings as surety. If that's too much he should be treated like any other defendant who cannot post bond, and be jailed.
Burin Kantabutra
I'll happily take the job
I laughed myself silly at the latest Thai adaptation of "Keystone Cops".
How do you get to be a major general and the chief of a provincial police force if you are "immature" and "inexperienced" (quoting Lt Gen Thitirat Nonghanpitak)? I have absolutely no police experience. Perhaps I should apply for the job of chief of the whole outfit.
David Brown
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