OPINION

WUMO, was it?

Re: "Laugh riot," (PostBag, May 27).

In days of yore, Stars and Strips, as it was cleverly called then, carried those bastions of morality, Modesty Blaise and Judge Dredd, to counterbalance the antics of Andy Capp et al. Moreover, there was the late lamented Column Nine on the front page which elevated one's spirits after they had been assaulted by the latest trials and tribulations domestically and internationally, but it eventually ran afoul of the strictures of political correctness I suspect.

I don't have any issues with Insanity Streak, which, as its name implies, is a bit silly at times, but it has its moments and the artwork is good.

As I have bitterly commented in the past, it is the egregiously unfunny WUMO and its puerile artwork that puts my sense of humour into freefall every morning. Perhaps your correspondent mistakenly identified the wrong comic in his observation.

Stay out of their hair

Re: "Forced haircuts 'belittle kids' self-esteem,"' (BP, May 26).

I fully agree with Dr Jiraporn Arunakul, adolescent medicine specialist, who noted, "Hairstyle is not an indicator of learning efficiency" -- and that students should therefore be left to decide on their own hairstyle. I note that Lord Buddha, Jesus and Einstein's hairstyles would have gotten them all booted out of a Thai public school, as would that of Dr Porntip Rojanasunan, our foremost forensic scientist.

The MOE and schools should focus on teaching students how to analyse, question and try safe out-of-the-box creative ideas that effectively solve our economy's problems. Hairdos are irrelevant.

Risk assessment

Re: "Irresponsible shift," (PostBag, May 23).

Terje Kvisla says he's not coming to Thailand because unvaccinated people who "should be ashamed of themselves" are now allowed to come here. Since the flu kills more children than Covid should people who don't get flu shots also be ashamed of themselves?

Furthermore, since some of the highest rates of Covid infections are in places that have the highest vaccination rates, vaccines are more likely to cause a false sense of complacency than they are to prevent transmission.

Still Terje is right that just because someone got tested 72 hours before entering the country doesn't mean he won't get infected 48 hours before entering Thailand. Even if he's tested 72 minutes before going to Thailand he might get infected five minutes later.

What people don't understand is that everything in life involves risk. And those who are too cowardly to take any should indeed stay home with their mommies who can hold their hands and change their diapers.

Looking elsewhere

Re: "Nightlife venues warned to stay safe," (BP, May 27).

Please open the nightlife until 3am, same as before. Many German, Swiss and Austrian tourists will go to Cambodia or Vietnam if the nightlife (bars, discos, go-go bars) is not open until three in the morning. We are all fully vaccinated and Covid is no more dangerous after midnight than before midnight. It's ridiculous. Many tourists are very upset and will be looking for a new travel destination soon if the nightlife closes at midnight.

Black mark on Russia

Re: "Grim reflections in the mirror of Ukraine crisis," (Opinion, May 20).

For the second time in recent months, the Russian Ambassador Evgeny Tomikhin has been given a platform to espouse, in a lengthy op-ed, his views on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He does so with such conviction that he probably believes the fantasy world he attempts to project.

The ambassador's opinion piece contains so many falsehoods and inaccuracies that it would require a much longer rebuttal than PostBag has room for. Take, for example, the ridiculous assertion that Russia's invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014 was meant to prevent "genocide and mass slaughter"; that the Russian language would be "prohibited" throughout Ukraine and policy objectors "outlawed". Regarding the latter, it's interesting that his article fails to mention his own government's penalty of 15 years' imprisonment for patriots who simply dare to call Russia's invasion a "war".

Equally absurd: the claim that the weapons being sent to Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression are meant for "offensive" purposes to threaten the existence of its vast neighbour. Finally, for the ambassador to suggest that Russia alone is not directly responsible for the looming global food crisis, by virtue of its blockade and shelling of vital Ukrainian port cities, is derisory.

One point on which we may agree is that Russian athletes who disavow the atrocities being committed in Ukraine shouldn't be banned from participating in international sports tournaments. And, yes, the ambassador may take comfort in the fact that there are some Thais with business connections to Russia who may turn a blind eye to the massacre of innocent Ukrainian civilians in Bucha, Mariupol and elsewhere -- but I have no doubt that the vast majority of Thai people understand right from wrong.

Vladimir Putin initiated this tragic war and Russia will, quite rightly, bear the consequences for decades to come.

Temples and trust

Re: "This is the way," (PostBag, May 20) and "Buddhist watchdog," (PostBag, May 14).

Micheal Setter, thanks for your advice. The tradition of Sangha is based on "Dana", not on conducting rituals or collecting money. I am sure you also know that easy money leads to sex, scandals and all that we witness in Thai temples. You have ignored the fact that the monks should not touch money.

Most temples belonging to various religions, including Sikh Gurdwaras, mosques, churches in India and elsewhere, are run by community trusts.

The same is the rule in the US, where the community is involved in the financial matters of the church.

My late father-in-law was closely involved in overseeing the finances of the church where he lived.

If there is an oversight, you would not hear about the ongoing saga. I hope you also learn about the role of a "trust". The word itself says it all.

More joy needed

Re: "Hundreds of endangered baby giant turtles released into Cambodian river," (BP, May 24).

The photo accompanying the Post article brought a rare smile to this old man's face. I've been a tree-hugging hippie since the 1950s.

Our one species has been mega-harmful to this one small planet -- so any glimmer of hope for healing is mucho appreciarlo (pardon my Spanish).

The pic adjoining the article shows Cambodian villagers gathered along a riverbank, dispersing baby turtles into the river. Monks alongside children, with parents looking on, everyone beaming with joy. The Sanskrit word for "joy" is ananda.

We need more ananda and animal husbandry in this world.

World peace circle

ACIR -- A is ASEAN, C is China, I is India, and R is Russia.

ACIR is a vast circle in area, population and resources. It should be the great circle for world peace. By working together and with all other countries we can move away from confrontation to collaboration -- collaboration for peace, poverty eradication, justice and nature nurture.

The world has no other way to avoid catastrophe. "We shall need a radically new manner of thinking, if mankind is to survive," said Albert Einstein.

Now the world is at a tipping point. Tipping towards nuclear war while tipping away from world peace. Now is the time for time for humanity to use its greatest potential provided by nature. It is something that has lain dormant, waiting to be used for 200,000 years.

It is the forebrain or prefrontal cortex, the neuronal base for enlightenment and goodness. In contrast to the hind brain, or reptilian brain, which has been a predominant factor in bringing humanity to the present point.

It is time for humankind to liberate itself from the hind brain, to switch to the forebrain and engage in a new manner of thinking.

The reason for starting with ACIR is that it is most plausible. With the greatest area of land, greatest number of population and greatest resources, ACIR should be in a position of strength and confidence. Weakness and fear lead to violence and war.

Other groupings can do the same and work with ACIR. In this manner of collaborating for peace, no country is at risk. All maintain their dignity. In contrast to warmongering which has brought to the world the risk of nuclear annihilation.

The world has enough resources and knowledge for the health and well-being of every human being on this planet.

If there is peace.

(A new Prince Wan might emerge.)