OPINION

Shame on Democrats

All the ambivalence and paradoxes of recent Thai politics cannot be conceived of as linear processes, as Thais are confronted with a consolidation of the power constellation and the democratisation of powerlessness.

As a strong supporter of the Democrat Party, I am deeply disappointed with the party's self-serving agenda in forming a coalition government with the current regime and allowing autocratic rule to prevail. There is a difference between "desirable" and "given". When mistruths are being presented as truths, there are no functioning systems of accountability. Such blatant manipulation of the separation of powers is an insult to democracy.

Whether it is a majority of 1% or 50%, it matters! The people of Thailand have spoken, but they are not being heard. The political games, played over the weekend, make a mockery of our intelligence.

Back to the Future

Re: "Future Forward Party wins new Chiang Mai election" and "PPRP to offer tie-up with 'kingmakers'", (BP, May 27).

A tale of two cities seen in articles in Monday's Bangkok Post tells a story of sad decline and hopeful rejuvenation. In this classic good versus evil tale, we learn in "Future Forward Party wins new Chiang Mai election" that the good people of Chiang Mai have reiterated the Thai nation's strong support for the much-needed reforms that are the main platform of the Future Forward Party (FFP).

But while Future Forward was being judged as good by the Thai electorate in the north, we read in stark contrast, in "PPRP to offer tie-up with 'kingmakers'," that the Bangkok-bound Democrat Party is planning to solemnise its marriage as an obedient minor wife to the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), thereby confirming the wisdom of the Thai nation to consign the "hilariously misnamed" (Time, November 2013) Democrat Party to the oblivion it so richly deserves for its sustained betrayal of democratic principles and processes.

On March 24, the Thai nation made clear that it desires the new ways of democracy over yet more of the traditional cycle of dictatorship repeated over decades, which has made Thai society the bitterly divided mess it is today, socially, politically and morally. In the unfolding tale, the Thai people recognise that Future Forward is on the right side of history. Let us hope that future chapters may lead to happier conclusions for Thailand.

Obese Thailand

Re: "'Unlikely' hikers hit the diversity trail", (Life, May 27).

Obesity in the United States is not a diversity issue, it is a national health crisis. It is bizarre that obesity should be considered an identity to be celebrated, rather than a medical condition to be remedied, with severe health consequences. Jenny Bruso, the article's "diversity heroine", must have a Body Fat Index of over 45 as per her picture. She is not "plus size" but morbidly obese: her life expectancy will be cut by 10 years. It is quite perverse that, in today's society, she has a financial incentive to remain obese and to encourage others to do the same.

I would suggest the apparel and T-shirts she helps market carry the motto: "I will live 10 years less than you and I am proud of it". If she lived longer, she could do more hiking.

Obesity is now a national problem in Thailand, too. This newspaper, "The Newspaper You Can Trust", should address this issue seriously instead of propagating such dangerous nonsense from abroad.