A Songkran sacrifice

Re: "Revellers flout splash ban", (BP, April 15).

Once again, the authorities have missed another opportunity to turn a tradition into a massive tourism draw, like the Pamplona Bull Run or the Brazilian Mardi Gras.

Instead, by cancelling all water pistol fights for the 3rd year in a row, they are attempting to keep the bull run without the bulls, or the Mardi Gras without floats, and a Songkran without water fights.

Without using any of the more than 10 billion baht for the marketing gurus at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) promoting kite festivals, Thailand could be known for the world's largest water fight, attracting hundreds of thousands of revellers.

Instead, the authorities wish to turn back the clock to traditional Thai clothing from a half-century ago, flower wreaths, and cultivate a respect-for-elders day on Songkran, rather than acknowledge the truth of government meddling in the last few years: the destruction of a perfectly healthy tourism industry; the wiping out of middle-class businesses; movement restrictions and border closures on free citizens; huge deficit problems being created, all in the name of limiting Covid deaths to 15,000 or so, while diabetes, vehicle fatalities, and other concerns are far bigger dangers to Thai society.

Gaining worldwide recognition for a fun festival is a free marketing gift. Why is the government so against it?

A FRANKEL

Curse of Covid

Re: "Prayut uneasy as tourists splash water", (BP, April 14).

I'd love to see the science behind banning water splashing during Songkran. The problem is, I don't believe there is any. Just like other countries like Australia that allowed gymnasiums and sports facilities to open, but not showers. It was soon acknowledged that Covid-19 is airborne, and those rules reversed.

It's time for Thailand to ease its restrictions and obsession with Covid rules. That is what a majority-vaccinated country should do. I cannot wait to return to the Land of Smiles. In the meantime, I will be forced to go elsewhere.

NICK ROBERTS

Pandemic lunacy

Re: "Revellers flout splash ban", (BP, April 15).

With the resurgence of Covid and the authorities ruling that no water splashing is to take place, take a look at videos on YouTube or look at pictures of Songkran revellers in Thailand and you will see why foreigners think Thailand is a joke.

I have nieces and nephews here who cannot attend school and the younger ones should have started school two years ago, but because of the pandemic they have not been able to do so.

Yet the tourists that Thailand attracts because of its inability to police any rules or laws are still welcome. I am waiting for the aftermath of Songkran to see who wins between road accidents and new Covid cases.

SJL

In China's pocket

Re: "Sri Lankan protesters defy curfew", (BP, April 4), and "Calls grow for Rajapaksa to quit job", (BP, April 6).

The economic, social and cultural crisis unfolding in Sri Lanka is the inevitable consequence of two decades of disastrous and unsustainable tax cuts, excessive government spending and reckless borrowing, including under China's notorious Belt and Road Initiative.

Sri Lanka is one of several countries that have fallen into the Chinese debt trap, having first been lured into borrowing to develop the Hambantota deep-sea port.

The country was later forced to give up the port to China under a 99-year lease when the facility failed to generate enough income to repay loans.

Instead of learning the hard lessons of such an experience, Sri Lanka has piled up more foreign debt, including more loans from China.

China's response to Sri Lanka's crisis has been to coldly suggest the country borrow yet more money from Chinese coffers at high-interest rates.

Countries around the world, including Thailand, would be well-advised to steer clear of the glitter of Chinese Belt and Road enticements such as superfluous ports, airports and high-speed rail systems.

SAMANEA SAMAN

Junta excused

Re: "War games", (PostBag, April 14), and "Asean tally", (PostBag, April 11).

Some writers are clearly labouring under the misconception that Myanmar's recent votes in favour of UN resolutions censuring Russia's actions in Ukraine were cast at the bidding of the military junta.

Far from it: Myanmar's Permanent Representative to the UN was appointed prior to last year's coup d'etat, defied attempts to dismiss him, and remains in office on behalf of the civilian government-in-exile.

Hence, Ken Albertsen is absolved from the unsavoury prospect of hugging the generals in Nay Pyi Taw.

But if he ever finds himself in New York, he may care to seek out Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, shake his hand, and give him a well-deserved pat on the back.

CHRIS JEFFERY

Big Uncle (Sam)

Re: "War games", (PostBag, April 14).

Yes: the USA has been involved in killing so many innocents and no one says anything to sanction them.

Why must the USA act like "Big Brother" and bully others. Why can't they mind their own business?

MILLIE TAN

A bad bet

Re: "New casino complex study ready", (BP, April 14).

An extraordinary House committee studying a proposal to open a casino-entertainment complex will submit its findings when the House reconvenes next month, a committee member says.

The committee led by Deputy Transport Minister Atirat Ratanasate was set up late last year after Chutchawan Kong-u-dom, leader of the Thai Local Power Party, pushed for the relaxation of long-standing laws to get such a project off the ground and thus attract foreign visitors and make additional revenue for the government.

The committee comprised 60 members -- 15 representatives from the cabinet and 45 others from parties.

What we see here is the typical third-world approach to government where the government and not the entertainment industry will decide exactly what the industry should do, that it should go into the casino business and even that the location of the casino business should be in Phetchaburi. These are business decisions.

The proper role of government is simply to set the appropriate legal and regulatory framework and environment in which a casino industry is possible and in which such an industry can flourish.

CHAAM JAMAL

Proper parenting

Re: "EQ for life", (PostBag, April 14), and "Mum's murder reveals dark side of family values", (Opinion, April 12).

Darius Hober makes sound points regarding the need for emotional intelligence highlighted in Atiya Achakulwisut's opinion piece.

Also worth noting is that, yet again, Thais would appear to be following not the myths preached by those who set themselves up as the spiritual parents of the Thai family, but the actual example set by their known acts in Thai public life.

Good parents, parents with some emotional intelligence, or simple common decency, listen to their children when they come to discuss a problem causing concern. Good parents do not slap their children down with a violent act, such as locking them up for years on end merely for the peaceful expression of a desire for honest, open discussion.

Good parents do not make up, let alone execute, abusive domestic laws to terrify their children into abject prostration. Good parents are nurturing, not punitive. Good parents encourage critical thinking; they do not lash out when critical thinking shows up an apparent abyss between a proclaimed myth of loving parental care and the reality of veiled domestic relations.

FELIX QUI

Rushed vaccines

Re: "New but Tested", (PostBag, April 11).

It is simply not true that the Covid vaccines were thoroughly tested! Usually, it takes about 10 years of investigation before a vaccine is considered safe enough to be used by the public. The "investigations" of these vaccines lasted about a year!

I'm upset that PostBag refused to publish my letter of a few months ago when I noted it was reported in the British Medical Journal that a whistleblower who complained that Pfizer didn't properly follow safety procedures was fired.

I couldn't find one word about that whistleblower anywhere in the mainstream media.

Let me tell the Bangkok Post and PostBag that when you cover up the facts -- as the mainstream media has been doing since day one -- you only succeed in fueling conspiracy theories.

At this point in my life, I don't believe anything you people say.

ERIC BAHRT

Expose skeletons

Re: "Democrat denies sex pest claims", (BP, April 15).

I laud the Democrat Party for insisting that no one is above the law, including its ex-deputy leader Khun Prinn Panitchapakdi, accused of sexually harassing an 18-year-old student. Khun Prinn insists on his innocence, and under the rule of law, must be assumed innocent until proven guilty.

When questioned about his police record overseas, Khun Prinn insisted that was long ago, and hence should not be considered. But if he's innocent as claimed, he should authorise the UK authorities to reveal his full criminal record, if any, in that country. I have much more faith in the British system of justice than ours, and we deserve to know the unvarnished truth.

If he was guilty before, he might have reverted since then. Maybe, as lawyer Sittra Biebangkerd claims, Khun Prinn's sexually harassed almost 10 others here -- but the cops hushed the matter up because of his father's sterling service to Thailand.

Telling all and showing that he was, indeed, "clean" would greatly strengthen Khun Prinn's case.

Be transparent and show us your past, sir.

BURIN KANTABUTRA
CONTACT: BANGKOK POST BUILDING136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110Fax: +02 6164000 email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th
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