OPINION

Japan's calling

Re: "Japan's post-Covid regional dilemma", (Opinion, Jan 21).

As a member in good standing of Dr Thitinan's fan club, being always appreciative of his trenchant rejection of our ruling elite's authoritarian attempts to deny the Thai people's democratic aspirations, I hesitate to question his analysis of Japan's role in our post-Covid world.

However, in answering his own question about what kind of great power Japan wants to be, Dr Thititnan trudges down the same old familiar Big Power, Big Stick path that has led the world to its current near hopeless dead-end. He bemoans Japan's lack of military might and veers toward favouring the abrogation of Article 9 in Japan's so-called pacifist constitution.

But what if Japan were to choose a path to peace?

The words of Article 9 are spine-tinglingly inspirational: "...the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes...The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognised."

What if Japan were to reinvigorate its geostrategic role in the world by reclaiming Article 9 in its foundational sense and offering the nations of the world an alternative to Big Power rivalries and trillions in wasteful military expenditures?

As the only country to suffer the horrors of atomic bombs, Japan is uniquely empowered with the moral authority required to rekindle pacifist non-alignment as the only sustainable model for international relations. And mighty Indonesia, with a history deeply rooted in non-alignment, might be a willing partner on this journey. If only...

Courageous types needed

Re: "Billionaire takes bold stance on racism", (Spotlight, Jan 16).

The courage of Luiza Trajano is what is needed in the people leading the public and private sectors in Thailand. On the birthday of Martin Luther Jr, who sacrificed his life fighting racism in American society, we must recognise that racial discrimination and prejudice remain the most dangerous pandemic in every culture.

Like in the USA and Brazil, these problems also exist in Thailand. It is the elephant in the room no one wants to talk about. So, forget about immigrants from Laos, Cambodia, or Myanmar. Even well-to-do expatriates funnelling millions into the Thai economy face all kinds of issues: double pricing, immigration hassles, job discrimination, and workplace exploitation. You seldom see foreigners residing in Thailand being involved in the upper echelons of decision-making.

I am still waiting to see qualified foreigners being part of any government agency. Diversity in the workplace is seen as a threat to people in authority. Thailand needs CEOs like Luiza Trajano to transform its corporate culture through education and training programmes. Otherwise, the elephant in the room will trample the economy; it is just a matter of time.

Smart guns fall short

Re: "Smart guns' touted as safety breakthrough", (BP, Jan 15).

I have mixed feelings concerning the development of so-called smart guns ie those which can only be fired by the authorised user.

One thing that is clear is that the government and progressive supporters of such technology have probably never had a terrorist standing in their living room, or had a pipe bomb go off right in front of them, or personally dealt with truly evil men.

These smart guns don't look too "smart" to me. The way it really goes is that, once your home is invaded it might be a loved one, [an "unauthorised user"] or another good Samaritan who has to pull that trigger to stop a heinous crime.

Under those circumstances, I don't have 10 seconds to say to a home invader or rapist, "Excuse me, I need to enter the override code, then I'll shoot you; you're on the honour system. Just wait a second."

Crocodile rock

Re: "Govt backs croc flesh to beat soaring meat prices", (BP, Jan 21).

Being on a tight budget I decided to follow the recommendations of the powers-that-be ("Let them eat crocodile!"). Tastes a bit like chicken.

As I masticated the yummy reptile, my mind wandered to the Thai proverb "Nee seua bpa jorakay" which translates as "flee a tiger, meet a crocodile".

The English equivalent might be "jump from the frying pan into the fire". I'm sure our cold-blooded friends are hoping the new Year of the Tiger brings more normal prices for their swinish brethren.