Look to Ardern
Re: "Killing spree a red flag," (Editorial, Oct 7).
If our prime minister is wondering what an appropriate response might be to the national tragedy that took place in Nong Bua Lam Phu, he need look no further than to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who, within 72 hours of an equally horrific mass shooting in Christchurch in 2019, initiated a major overhaul of her country's gun laws.
"This is not who we are," said Ms Ardern a few hours after the shooting.
"This act is not a reflection of who we are as a nation."
With ahimsa or non-violence being one of Buddhism's central tenets, our prime minister should consider echoing Ms Ardern's words, leveraging our collective shock, dismay and shattered innocence to drive radical reform toward a gun-free Thailand, the only fitting memorial for those young lives lost.
It will be an uphill task. Thailand is awash with guns, with more than 10 million in civilian hands, many of which are illicit, and with another 1.25 million in insecure military and police hands.
With the world watching, and public sentiment behind him, what greater achievement could our prime minister deliver than to announce his goal of delivering a gun-free Thailand before the general election next year.
Sad Optimist
Reform the key
Re: "Killing spree a red flag," (BP, Oct 7).
I would like to open this letter by saying that the Royal Thai Police, as well as all state security officials I have met, have always treated me well.
Yet I still think the BP is asking the question which much of a shocked and grieving nation should also be asking: Why is it that disgruntled state security personnel are responsible for two mass shootings in a row?
Something has to change in the recruitment process.
The tragedy also shows that we are long overdue for police reform.
But given that such promises were quickly forgotten after the Terminal 21 incident, I guess the only question on my mind is just how many more innocent lives will have to be lost for change to finally happen?
How many dead children will it take?
Jason A Jellison
Digging deep
Re: "Opening an old wound," (Editorial, Oct 6).
I fully agree that society should dig deep into the Oct 6, 1976 massacre. That will help us heal the massive gulf that still divides us.
A major shortcoming of society is that the executive branch has historically been above the law; those professing to serve us become our masters, unfettered by the law, as shown by the Thammasat massacre of Oct 6, or the wrongful killings of Tak Bai (83 bodies) and Nong Chik (four bodies).
With elections looming, we should push candidates to take clear a stand on holding the executive branch accountable: if Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda or Anutin Charnvirakul were prime minister, for example, how would they hold the military and police responsible for the above atrocities accountable -- and how would he prevent such tragedies from reoccurring?
Burin Kantabutra
Helpful pointer
Re: "Unfit comparison," (PostBag, Oct 5).
I must thank VB for taking the time to correct my misunderstandings about Hinduism, which is apparently unlike other religions and ideologies in that it preaches only wonderful things such as peace, acceptance, love, truth and so on.
That explains why Hinduism is so accepting of Islam in India, and why India's Bharatiya Janata Party refuses to push populist Hindu nationalism. As always, thank you for the enlightenment.
Felix Qui
Shaky ground
Re: "Unfit comparison," (PostBag, Oct 5).
In the letter, "Unfit comparison", VB advises Felix Qui not to compare Hinduism with other religions. Is the vast field of study called comparative religion no longer acceptable to VB? If so, is this a characteristic sign of intolerance?
While I am an ardent admirer of Advaita Vedanta philosophy and the teachings of many Indian saints and realisers, Hinduism also engages in endless rituals such as worshipping rodents, and studies magic.
The outcome will not realise the same truth which was taught by Adi Shankara and embodied by Ramana Maharshi.
They are also no strangers to violence and conflict. Much of the ancient literature of Hinduism is occupied with chronicling wars. Gods fought alongside ordinary mortals with great regularity.
VB, I would suggest that it is by questioning and comparison that we may learn the truth. We may apply this to every subject, including Hinduism.
Michael Setter
Correction
In the editorial, "Killing spree a red flag", dated Oct 7, the number of victims should read 37. We regret the error.
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