Revamp the military

Let's briefly consider local geopolitics and the Thai military. Thailand needs China like it needs another coup. However, China needs Thailand for a variety of reasons. The US has had a longstanding favourable relationship with Thailand and is its most powerful ally.

Now to be frank, the Thai military is not a deterrent and is not capable of engaging in war successfully. If Thailand was attacked its only hope would come from a phone call to the United States.

Thus, there is every reason to restructure the military into a civil defence organisation (the only function it now realistically serves) and spend US$2-3 billion (63-94 billion baht) per year to maintain it. Such a strategy would prevent the next coup and free up considerable funds for urgently needed development of the kingdom.

From a rational perspective this strategy combined with comprehensive police and judicial reform would allow a First World status to emerge. Otherwise, it's a hopeless proposition.

Michael Setter
Boys need their toys

Re: "Defence insists it is a lean outfit", (BP, Feb 21).

Ahh, so "Defence insists it is a lean outfit" and does not waste public money. As a result of the defence spending cut, there was not enough money for military training, fuel and maintenance of military equipment, he said.

I say, if the money thrown away on that silly blimp, those 59-cent plastic mine detectors that the army paid hundreds of baht each for, the Spanish-built aircraft carrier that sits idle and has no aircraft, (but is great for Father's Day and National Children's Day), the rather stupid purchase of three submarines, the list can go on forever, then there would be enough money for military training and other necessities.

Why does the Royal Thai Army actually need so many high-salaried generals? What do these generals actually do aside from attending functions and strutting around in their Disney-like uniforms, bedecked with more medals than a "real general" who saw action and earned them. The old saying, "boys need their toys" is appropriate for every army, the boys being of all ages.

449900
Slash kleptocracy

Re: "Military jumps the gun", (Opinion, Feb 22).

As the country is in an extremely fluid situation at this time during the run-up to the March 24 election, both the Thai military and political parties must tone down their rhetoric in order for the country to carry out the election in a peaceful and democratic manner.

The military should realise that once a civilian government is installed after the election, some security-related projects must go through some changes. The government elected by the people is empowered to do so under its purview as dictated by the constitution.

On the other side of the coin, political parties that showcase their policy to downsize the military must do some careful homework in advance. They must avoid being seen as trying to take revenge against the military and eventually causing national security to be compromised.

Politicians and political parties must show their responsibilities in the face of any accusations that they have been acting against the constitution, and the election laws in particular.

Politicians who have misled the public by publishing their resumes in a dishonest manner must come out and gallantly apologise to the public. Political parties who are accused of corroborating with a fugitive from Thai laws living abroad must own up to their unlawful deeds and their members must withdraw themselves from the race.

In order for democracy to be successful, kleptocracy must be nonexistent -- or kept to a very minimum.

Vint Chavala
No free lunch

There used to be a commercial aired around Christmas shopping time in the 60s in the US. "Promise her anything, but give her Arpage".

What suddenly reminded me of this commercial? Some army general who is head of a political party was campaigning in Bangkok promising the electorate free education through university, but he did not say how and who would pay for free university education.

I hope the voting electorate, especially the younger people, are not taken in by empty political rhetoric. It is a pity that no one asked how the general's party would accomplish this promise. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Someone will have to pay.

Jack Gilead
1976 flashbacks

I am one of those people who is experiencing flashbacks to October 1976 after Gen Apirat Kongsompong's reference to Nak Phandin and now I find myself feeling fear and revulsion every time I see his face. I sincerely hope his tenure as army chief will be a very short one.

Scarred and Scared
Froth and sizzle?

The song Nak Phandin (Burden to the Land) is comparable to a powerful disinfectant.

If it is poured onto an immaculately clean surface, nothing happens and everything remains calm. But if it is poured onto a dirty, filthy surface, the surface would immediately begin to froth and sizzle as all the nasty germs and bacteria writhe in their death throes.

Kantanit Sukontasap
Left-wing 'Post'

Re: "Biased opinions", (PostBag, Feb 20).

I fully agree. I am a non-American, and find your opinion pages in respect to President Trump and the US political landscape very, very unfair. There are too many articles from left-wing media outlets, (The New York Times, Bloomberg) in the Bangkok Post.

Peter Daniels
Put US on backburner

Re: "Biased opinions", (PostBag, Feb 20).

Paul Boddorf is correct to assume less negative content regarding the United States should be considered. Most letter contributors present emotional, rather than factual views. If those living in the United States are satisfied with President Trump, fine and well. Those Americans, and others, living in Thailand should be more concerned with Thai politics and their survival here. The government, via the Immigration Bureau continues to present more obstacles for living here, which should be of major concern, not President Trump or the US, which is for many of us, out of sight, out of mind.

Buttercup
Happily dysfunctional

Even if it were true that 52% of US citizens approved of President Trump, that wouldn't make him right in the eyes of an international community with decency and truth in mind. It would just show that a large part of the US citizenry are as uneducated, racist, bigoted and happily dysfunctional as he is.

Lungstib
Anti-Semitic Poland

Why all the brouhaha and excitement over the incident between Poland and Israel? Poland was, is and always will be anti-Semitic. It's a sort of ingrained thing, even before the Bogdan Chmielnicki peasant uprising against Polish rule in the Ukraine in 1648, which resulted in the destruction of hundreds of Jewish communities and loss of life across Poland as well. Those Jews living in their ancestral land, Poland, still tread with caution.

Auschwitz Annie
A welcome reminder

Re: "Darkest-day song nothing to be proud of," (Opinion, Feb 20)

Thank you Khun Veera Prateepchaikul for reminding us of that fateful day on Oct 6, 1976.

Also thank you to the current Bangkok Post editor for that shocking photo showing hundreds of student protesters half-naked lying down on the football field of Thammasat University under the watchful eyes of police and soldiers. It was the saddest moment in the history of Thailand. Indeed "that picture is worth more than a million words".

Today, on the lighter side (in typical Thai sense of humour) among those former students, one person asked his friend whether he could pinpoint where he "slept".

Songdej Praditsmanont
Inaccessible BTS

A wheelchair lift at Punnawithi BTS, which seems ready to use, has been wrapped in plastic for about nine months. I sent the BTS an email, and they responded they're waiting for a handover from the BMA. No doubt some official with dreams of a political career wants balloons and ribbons and photographs and smiles and handshakes and a budget for a "handover ceremony", and meanwhile, the thing stays wrapped in bubble wrap and the BTS remains inaccessible for people in wheelchairs.

If I was in a wheelchair I would be furious. I can fully understand the equal access activists kicking down the doors of the BTS.

Kon van Huyssteen
Forgotten US ethics

With all the publicity being given to the rise of anti-Semitism around the world, do I classify as a racist, because of my strong objection to the way Israel treats the Palestinians?

Can anyone advise me, at 80 years of age, how I can help the Palestinians regain their land, possessed by them for hundreds of years? And why the morals of the United States continue to support the Israelis, so blatantly ignoring the edicts of the world bodies, who have very strongly condemned the Israelis, for their actions?

I am aware of the powerful Jewish lobby in Washington, but does this mean all of America has forgotten their principles, ethics, and integrity? Maybe someone wiser than me can supply the answer.

Kittachai
Immigration swindle

Dear Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn,

What are you doing? Trying to stop corruption? Good! Start with your staff and the banks that help to do under the table visas.

I retired here 13 years ago, have been legitimate and have maintained the 800,000 baht in the bank. I have been ripped off by your immigration people over the years for having it a few days late after the 3 month deadline.

Now you come out with this great plan to get rid of corruption by making a new policy that the money has to be there two months before the retirement visa is issued and then three months after. And on top that I have to keep 400,000 baht in the bank all year round. Are you stupid? Great incentive for people to retire here.

Mike Casey

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