OPINION

Educate voters

I agree with PM Prayut Chan-o-cha that political party rallies are "a waste of time" (BP, Jan 15). Instead, parties should spend time debating on issues of the day and give equal opportunity to each participant. One of our key problems is that, at present, each party only speaks to its own supporters, promoting "silo thinking" in a self-reinforcing spiral. But, like American author Walter Lippmann said, "where all think alike, no one thinks very much".

Nobody is 100% right 100% of the time. Our country is being riven apart with a growing rich-poor gap that's leading to political turmoil. We can and must learn from each other, for our common benefit. I suggest that parties sponsor televised debates on given issues, much like the US presidential debates. For instance, PM Prayut or his representative could debate Future Forward's Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and Korn Chatikavanij on, say, "how our constitution should be revised" or "the military's role in Thai democracy". To make it fun, pre- and post-debate votes could be taken from the studio audience on who was the most persuasive, with the winner being determined by swing votes rather than the absolute number. The moderator must be forceful and impartial, keeping speakers on-topic and respectful, preventing them from evading uncomfortable but valid questions.

Let's have an informed, well-rounded, politically active electorate.

Mr Hober (PostBag, Jan 13) shows a lack of sensitivity when he writes that verbal abuse of children is "fair game". While as an adult we can choose to ignore insults (I believe the people who insult me tell me more about themselves than they do about me), children lack the maturity to shrug off insults. Calling children "ugly" or "stupid" can greatly effect their self esteem and emotional development.

While I agree physical abuse is a greater offence than verbal abuse, it doesn't mean that tearing down children's self confidence should be regarded as part of the normal process of growing up.

In his Jan 16 letter, "Construction to blame", Sandman writes, "I suggest the media interview residents living near construction sites and managers at district offices so the cause of the ignorance of construction companies can be made public."

That is all well and good, but it comes down to the same two basic problems. Who really cares and what is going to be seriously done about it? So far, the most blatant cane and rice field burning has been conveniently ignored by the government, while the public is being urged to do this or that. And of course, being told to wear masks. Thank you, dear government, for caring so much about us.

The recent article about the plight of the displaced refugees talks about its complexity and the need for more Asean dialogue; yet there is no mention of Aung San Suu Kyi and what first steps she must take. In any big disaster, leaders know what they need to do to be taken seriously. They must first go to the site and be seen to be talking with those affected.

Somebody in the region needs to take Ms Suu Kyi directly to the refugee camps in Bangladesh and get her to listen to and talk with the refugees themselves. No ifs, no buts, no more dialogue, no more wringing of hands. They all come to nothing -- everyone knows that.

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