OPINION

Ghost of politics past

Re: "Sereepisuth offers S112 assurance", (BP, June 5).

Even though Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, has given another push to the Move Forward Party's efforts to form a coalition, it will not have much impact considering Gen Sereepisuth's party has only one MP to its name.

But the MFP, despite its popularity and election success, has made too many enemies in Thailand's political arena. That is why many Thais still believe that the MFP will fail in its attempt to form a government.

The question is how can the MFP, with much support outside and too many enemies inside, ask its enemies to help it walk across the parliament threshold to become a government?

The MFP should realise what its biggest hurdle is, and start working to overcome it. Otherwise it will be too late.

When in Rome

Re: "Backing local brews", (PostBag, June 6) & "Bottoms up to clarity on alcohol laws", (Business, May 31).

The election result and the success of Pita Limjaroenrat have so upset Vint Chavala that he has forgotten quite where he lives, and the long-term habits of Thai citizens.

Alcoholic drinks of all price ranges and types obviously sell well in Thailand, as shown by the amount of shelving given over to them by supermarkets and convenience stores.

Having driven in some 30 countries, I haven't found many where I needed to avoid drunk drivers at 8am due to a morning visit to the lao kao stall.

I have also yet to see a major Buddhist festival pass my house on the route to the temple without most participants being under the influence and holding a glass or bottle.

Looks like the MFP election win has disturbed your memory. Here's wishing you a quick recovery.

Embrace the future today

Re: "Only the young can change Thailand", (Opinion, June 8).

"Hoke! You're my best friend!" ...such were the poignant last words of the fictional [Broadway play-written] white, old, Jewish and bigoted Miss Daisy, in the play/1989 film entitled Driving Miss Daisy.

Starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy, Hoke [an African American driver portrayed by Morgan Freeman whom Miss Daisy had long ignored, demeaned & mistreated], ends the play when he lovingly fed her a final dinner in a nursing home because she no longer could feed herself.

My point, you ask?

Though the story is fictional (but based on the civil rights era), deeply-entrenched forces got caught in a trap of trying to fight the future for too long.

For the past 10 years, even though I personally like Prayut Chan-o-cha, the government installed an administration which only looked "five feet ahead of the car", rather than "a mile down the road".

The future just arrived for Thailand's older generations and, just as I now feed and care for my elderly grandmother who once fed and cared for me, as Hoke cared for Miss Daisy in the aforementioned play, the next Thai generation will have to play a similar role in the kingdom.

So, I'd say embrace the future because, in the end, I believe the current prime minister will soon discover that the youthful "change agents of today", the recent "butt of [establishment] jokes", really might have been "their best friends" all along.

Weed deserves better

Re: "Activists make case for weed", (BP, June 10).

I am disturbed by some of the negative comments about cannabis in the government. Have any of these people used it?

I have since 1966, over 50 years. And yes, many periods up to a year without, for various reasons including availability in England.

And I can confirm it is non-addictive, unless you mix it with tobacco. Tobacco is highly addictive and fatal. I am 73 and never been on meds.

So how can it be said it is dangerous when many die through drink driving and cigarettes?

There have never been any direct deaths through cannabis in all history.

It can cause some paranoia in some people, which makes them drive more carefully; alcohol makes people think they perform better and removes fear.

So, alcohol and tobacco sales are controlled when they are both more dangerous. So, why not put the same controls on cannabis and tax it?