OPINION

Kids aren't stupid

Re: "Kids' books offer hope against tyranny", (Opinion, Oct 2).

Having read Wasant Techawongtham's thought-provoking article about children's books loaded with political messages, I could not help but think that history should make us ask if the ideologies presented are really "just words", as in justified, or "just words", as in only irrelevant?

Of course, there were always banned authors who wrote kids' books with other ideas, but it was centuries before the social mores changed on these issues, and I argue that society changed only because world events and real-world problems caused young citizens to embrace alternate ideas -- not the ideas or books themselves.

Taken together, I think history shows that we can try to programme our youth with any particular ideals but, no matter what we adults might say, the kids will grow to think for themselves and eventually will decide for themselves whether the values in kids' books that controlling older adults hand to them constitute morally "just words", or merely "just words".

Re: "Test case for tolerance", (Editorial, Oct 2).

I agree with your editorial that the committee examining the set of publications titled Waad Wang -- which provides information on the other side of the anti-institution movement -- should limit its job to only ensuring the book set has no factual distortions, leaving the rest to parents to decide what is good for their children.

My word of caution: Thai children should be taught accurate history of our country. Hence, Thai educators should publish more history books based on factual happenings rather than those derived from hearsay.

We study history to better prepare ourselves in our venture into the future. The more we pull backward the arrow that we have in the bow, the further forward that arrow will land. Therefore, accuracy of history is important.

Re: "Thailand banks on a 5G future", (BP, Oct 2).

Thai governments have always been fond of buzzwords. Back in the 1980s, under Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, the buzzword of choice was "development". Development was going to solve all our problems and propel us into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Later, development paled and we got "globalisation". Globalisation was going to do everything development promised, and more.

Globalisation failed us a long time ago, and we have not had a zippy buzzword to cling to for some time, although I suppose the much-overworked "Amazing Thailand" could fill the gap.

But rejoice! The more things change, the more things stay the same, as the French say. Now our talented wordsmiths have come up with 5G to inspire new hope and propel us to a heavenly Valhalla.

Long live the venerable tradition of Thai buzzwords!

A while ago there was a campaign to stop motorcycles using the footpath. Sadly, this has been put on the back burner and now it is downright dangerous to walk on the footpath in Bangkok.

Last night on Sukhumvit no fewer than five motorcycles whizzed past me and unless law enforcement prevents this from happening in the future there will be a serious accident.