OPINION

A pointless wait

Re: "Nida poll a wake-up call", (Editorial, Sept 29), I think if it is incumbent upon veteran politicians and Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha "to overhaul the system and show us democracy will be a long lasting solution for the country" we will be waiting a long, long time. In case you haven't noticed, this is a selfish, self-righteous group who think they are entitled to their power by virtue of their seniority/longevity and you'd best learn your place or leave this country. They have no intention of sharing their power with anyone but themselves and probably will be in power until they die.

A Reader

Farcical is the right word for the "promises". Yesterday's "silent majority" turns out to be people very disillusioned with politicians but no doubt fearful of speaking out in public. The speed with which Pheu Thai big names switched to PPRP appalled many and their self interest makes it worse. The corruption of all institutions has left citizens aware that no one really cares about them, only personal gain. If not a failed, then a fragile state.

Regarding the Special Tourist Visas, none of the published thought balloons floated by various Thai bureaucracies to invite foreigners to re-enter the country include me in an eligible category. I've called Bangkok home for 32 years, first as a company CEO and in recent decades on an annual retirement visa that is current for only one more month. Is my current multiple re-entry visa still valid? If I miss my visa renewal deadline because I am locked out, must I start the arduous and costly application process all over again through no fault of my own?

I own, freehold, a 40-million-baht apartment in the centre of Bangkok for which I have the Blue Book, Yellow Book and all relevant documents, including even a pink ID card. Monthly remittances are made to Bangkok to support my home help and maintenance charges for the condominium. I usually import around three million baht for living and travel expenses. A couple of million baht now languish in my SCB account.

I left Bangkok on March 12 for a five-week tour of Australia. Thailand's doors slammed shut behind me without notice due to the Covid-19 crisis. Six months later, no consideration has been published for the many foreigners trapped overseas, wishing to return, who have called Thailand home for decades. We spend mountains more money and contribute much more to the Thai economy than itinerant tourists. I implore the Thai Immigration Bureau to give consideration to former foreign residents to "Please let us come home".

It might be a good idea for Catholics to put anti-Covid masks on their images of Jesus and for Buddhists to put them on Buddha images. Since the mask is intended to protect others from being infected by the wearer, it would symbolise the compassion that Jesus and the Buddha have for suffering humans. Wondering if this idea will catch on or whether it will lead to my being universally cursed as a blasphemer and a moron.