OPINION

Living in the past

If ever there was conclusive proof needed that the army is dangerously out of touch with the reality of modern Thailand, Gen Apirat Kongsompong has just provided it (BP, Oct 12).

The Communist Party surrendered in 1988. Why then is Gen Apirat seeking to give new life to a movement which became extinct in Thailand over 30 years ago? Aren't there any current issues more important to the well-being of the Thai nation and people for Gen Apirat to concern himself with?

What about the current lack of democracy, transparency and freedom of expression for a start, followed closely by oppression, injustice, inequality, corruption, nepotism, the malfeasance of officials, ineffective checks and balances, poor education, the lacklustre economy, poverty, the erosion of Buddhist values reflected by rising consumerism and materialism, environmental degradation, the carnage on the roads, etc? The list of ills which Gen Apirat could concern himself with, if he was genuinely concerned about the aspirations of the Thai people, is very, very long.

Considering China's stellar economic performance under communism over the past decades and the emergence of communist Vietnam as a serious economic competitor to Thailand, why is Gen Apirat seeking to demonise a non-existent threat? Is it Gen Apirat's irrational fear of communism spurring the current irresponsible spending on defence material?

The army is living at least 50 years in the past, as are the people Gen Apirat's views represent. In seeking to resurrect this hoary ghost, Gen Apirat has conclusively demonstrated that the army is a large part of the problem, not the solution. Better get back to the barracks, Gen Apirat, and check for reds under the beds.

It's not 'fake news'

It is disheartening to hear the army chief berate the audience and resort to ad hominem attacks against those that disagree with his perspective (BP, Oct 12). This type of response is typically utilised in civil public and political debates when the person knows they cannot defend their position. It is a sign of weakness.

With Thailand's economy relying heavily on a relationship with China, it is also not prudent to use the term "communism" as a slur against ideological opponents. China heavily censors people from my country that express umbrage with the political system of China. The recent dust-up with the NBA, South Park, and Winnie the Pooh are examples of this.

If the army chief truly believes his ideals are commendable, then an open debate with the academics he is fond of deriding should be used to prove that his position is not "fake news" or propaganda. An exercise of reasoning would be a wonderful experience for the people.

Oppressive communists

Perhaps a refresher course in basic history might help. The facts are the patriotic citizens of Hong Kong are protesting against the despotic rule of the Chinese Communist Party. Let's state that more clearly: The Hong Kong protests are anti-communist; they are opposing leftist communism.

Whatever Joshua Wong's politics might be, they are not communist. It is the Chinese Communist Party ruling with leftist zealotry from Beijing that is communist.

Nor is there any reason to think that Future Forward's Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is in any way sympathetic to communist ideology.

He is, on the contrary, very much a capitalist and is actively supporting the ideals of democracy, which directly contradict both the principles and the repressive methods of communism. It is hard to understand how anyone could seriously assert that Mr Thanathorn or any other member of the Future Forward Party is even remotely aligned with the repressive, anti-democratic methods and aims of leftist communism.

Nor is it Mr Thanathorn or Future Forward who are cosying up to the communists in Beijing by doing deals to buy their submarines and so on. It is not the good people of Future Forward who advocate communist-style suppression of free speech to keep the Thai citizens ignorant of important national affairs.

It is not Thailand's pro-democracy advocates who want Thais trembling in fear before the state as mainland Chinese do before the oppressive communist state.

Spare the rod

I was amused by Eric Bahrt's naive remark in his letter, "Excuses, excuses", (PostBag, Oct 12) about "overthrowing a democratically elected government". What "democratically elected government"?

Thai elections are so full of corruption that, "to the victors go the spoils", only if the victors spend enough, bribe enough, and pay enough to be "democratically" elected.

The government under Prime Minister Prayut may not be democratic enough for Eric Bahrt, but at least it's not as corruption-ridden as some previous governments.

Projects are being accomplished, the poor are given some help, consideration and encouragement, something unknown to many previous governments, and Gen Prayut is not out to make a name for himself or enrich himself at the expense of the country, and for whatever else one can say about him, he cares.

If he tends to be a bit heavy-handed at times, it is good. That is exactly what a government needs to do from time to time.

I'm still old fashioned enough to believe the proverb, "Spare the rod, spoil the child".