OPINION

Still in army uniform

Re: "Prayut steps up as career politician", (BP, Jan 16).

If Gen Prayut is serious about making the transition from being a military general to being a career politician, why did we see him tonight on television in his full army uniform, with his general's insignia on his shoulders and his medal ribbons blazoned across his chest?

Over history, many generals have become politicians. One that immediately comes to mind is Gen Eisenhower, but we never saw him in uniform once he moved into the White House as President Eisenhower.

Define 'decent person'

Re: "Upper House under fire," (Editorial, Jan 17).

What exactly does Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha think constitutes a "decent person"? If he means only someone "allowed to serve as long as voters wish", the most obvious example of such a person is Thaksin Shinawatra.

Others might feel that Thaksin holds democratic principles in not much higher regard than Prayut Chan-o-cha, who proved the extent of his respect for democratic principles by committing a coup.

Sen Kittisak and like-minded colleagues in the Senate should be thanked for encouraging public debate about what constitutes a "decent person" and who qualifies as a model of such.

For those aspiring to a democratic form of government, patriots who personally suffer as a consequence of peacefully standing up for democratic principles, especially when doing so brands them criminals according to undemocratic laws, might best meet the definition of a "decent person."

Beauty in madness

Re: "Unwanted Opinion," (PostBag, Jan 16).

Thierry Falise's reaction to the long-winded letter from the Myanmar embassy's deputy chief was extremely biting. Blasting the Post for giving valuable space to that despotic government is more than justified.

However, in publishing, there is beauty in knowing the mind of the deviants in suppressing their fellow citizens, which is eye-opening as we never realise how far human beings can lower themselves in their quest to preserve authority and wealth.

I hope someone up there can see the light and help free patriot Aung San Suu Kyi from hell.

Those dirty generals

Re: "The truth about Thai money politics," (PostBag, Jan 13).

In an illuminating article, Thitinan Pongsudhirak provided good insight to foreigners as to why there has been so many military coups in Thailand.

Military generals usually justify the necessity of having coups on the basis that politicians elected by the people are invariably corrupt, constantly accepting bribes and engaging in various suspicious schemes.

But as we have seen, the military and people working in the background to keep the political system running are not themselves above corruption.

As Pongsudhirak remarks: "Getting rid of money politics, in the long run, requires fighting corruption and graft in all corridors and corners of Thailand's political arena, not just among politicians but also among generals and bureaucrats".

What's going on?

Since the Post office building overlooks the almost-completed Na Ranong Junction flyover, have you ever wondered why construction -- other than some desultory cleaning-up underneath the flyover -- seems to have totally stopped for at least the last three weeks?