OPINION

Win-win goals

I fear that Thai politics is again coming to a head, with a high potential for violence -- which we should have learned solves nothing in the long run.

I fully support Chula political science professor Chaiyan Chaiyaporn, who said that to avoid violence, both sides must tone down their rhetoric; stop pouring fuel on the fire (BP, April 7). As in Aesop's fable of the six blind men and the elephant, we should recognise that those holding other opinions can have perceptions and insights as valid as ours, reach out to seek to understand their stands -- and work together to reach overarching goals, which would be a long-term win-win solution.

As we reach out, army commander Apirat Kongsompong, the military, the elite, workers and all parties should be willing to compromise to achieve those mutual, win-win goals. As Mr Obama said (referring to US politics), "You can't set up a system in which you don't compromise on anything. But you also can't operate in a system where you compromise on everything (and) everything's up for grabs".

For the short run, focus on the mutual goal of getting election results that are legitimate in that they truly reflect the collective will of all Thais, according to rules laid down before the election. For the longer term, work hand in glove with those of all viewpoints to achieve mutual objectives. For example, all sides have long recognised the shabby state of Thai education. We desperately need to teach students how to think -- yet our emphasis on rote memory, on what to think, is in direct opposition to our goals. What should we do?

Seek to understand other viewpoints, be willing to compromise, and achieve win-win goals for all.

Imagined enemies

The conservatives should leave the monarchy in peace. The monarchy does not need defending because nobody is threatening it. The military only permanently is hiding behind it.

There is nothing leftist about wanting the military out of politics. In not a single advanced society does the military dominate politics. They should concentrate on defending the countries and the people and not invent imagined enemies which need no fighting.

Mo money, no brain

There is a lovely little two-lane road connecting the #33 highway with Prachin Buri's inner city. Someone got the idea to widen this road to three or four lanes, turning it into a major highway of sorts. The work will take years at an unmanageable cost. There are already bottlenecks where people will not cede property along the road. Utility poles and light standards have to be relocated, involving a lot of time moving wires for ToT, electric, and whatever else there is. The created mud pockets are deadly to motorcycles and other vehicles. The dust and dirt, invading homes, restaurants and the local clinic is absolutely disgusting. The only ones who will benefit from this fiasco are the kids who race motorcycles from late night into early morning, as they do presently. No one asked those residents living along the road their opinions.

This is another case of financial irresponsibility, a lot of money with little to no brains at work, thanks to local, misinformed, mismanaged government. There used to be a slogan printed on roadwork signs in some states a long time ago. "Your tax dollars at work".