OPINION

Democracy fizzer

Re: "Coup anniversary fizzer", (BP, Sept 19).

Gen Sonthi said "there are different types of democracy and Thailand should find one that fits its needs". It is true that democracy spans a range of institutional arrangements. But functioning democracies share several principles: the people elect the government; political institutions support and maintain their choices; the government serves the country; the military and the government are distinct, not overlapping, entities; and the military serves the country, not the government.

Thailand has a long way to go before it can claim to be a functioning democracy.

Re: "Classroom enhances the value of learning", (Opinion, Sept 18).

Mr Ferguson makes some excellent observations about the virtues of classroom or on-campus teaching and learning. We are the products of the industrial-era model of the brick-and-mortar system where we had all kinds of experiences -- the good, bad, and ugly. It is quite possible that in the "new normal," the industrial-era model of education, focusing on time, process, and teaching, will be eclipsed by online learning rooted in outcomes.

In the past two years of the pandemic, students have discovered their potential to learn by themselves. The drastic changes in their behaviour will not allow them to go back easily to the usual conformity and compliance most instructors in Thailand expect.

There is enough evidence to support the idea that the institutional control of education will decrease, and the power of students will increase.

With near-universal access to digital devices and the internet, students will seek from the education sector the same things they are getting from other sectors, such as the music, movies, gaming, and eCommerce industries.

Online learning entities will drive up competition and drive down prices. The education mafia in Thailand which has been squeezing families with its deceptive advertising and exorbitant fees for decades will weaken.

We should all come to terms with the fact that in the post-pandemic era the dominance of degrees will diminish. According to experts, non-degree certifications and diplomas and "just in time" education will increase in status and value. In reality, education is all about experiences, not necessarily confined to schools or classrooms. The "golden era of ivory towers" is over. Online learning and students themselves will now drive reforms.

Re: "Too much hyperbole", (PostBag, Sept 18).

I wish to thank Ray Ban for proving my point that, because most of my critics can't dispute my arguments, they resort to personal attacks.

While it's true, as he noted, that the Bangkok Post has published numerous letters by me on the Covid 19 issue, nevertheless any letters that I have written which provided evidence that vaccines may not be as safe or effective as people think have not been published.

The media acts as though the word "variants" is a new discovery. Why do you think that 80 years since the discovery of the flu shot, millions of people still get the flu? The answer is variants!

Get it?

Re: "Too much hyperbole", (PostBag, Sept 18).

Thanks for that, but unfortunately we did not see it until too late. We did stop by Twin Palms and found Eric Bahrt to have fled the scene. You wouldn't happen to know where he is in Chiang Mai, would you?

By the way, someone, some day is going to sue your rag for publishing all that gross misinformation Mr Bahrt spews out. A word to the wise.