OPINION

Dress-code dilemma

Re: "Conflicting values", (PostBag, June 23).

Sam Wright makes a good point in his letter that questions the debate on student uniforms in Thailand. The Catholic school I attended required students to wear uniforms to balance things out between the "haves" and the "have-nots". On the special days when uniforms were optional, it was apparent who was rich and who lacked wealth based on what one wore.

Public schools, on the other hand, had no mandatory uniform requirements, so the students from wealthier families could easily show off their status to all.

Thus it is strange indeed that in Thailand, students at public places of learning are required to wear school uniforms since the elites want to make all the inhabitants of this land act "proper Thai", while more progressive citizens believe requiring students to wear uniforms at school hinders their progress in learning.

Re: "Thailand's inequality remains entrenched", (Business, June 27).

Purportedly the proportion of people living in poverty has decreased from 65% in 1988 to only 6.3% in 2021, according to Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), the Commerce Ministry's planning unit. I, as your paper's reader, am quite confused and dumbfounded, to say the least. Was it, not PPRP-leader and Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon who pledged to raise 20 million, or 28% of a population of 71.6 million, out of poverty as he announced his party's policy on Feb 11? Amazing Thailand.

Re: "Other names could be put up for PM's job", (BP, June 26).

As the parliament is about to name a new prime minister, it appears that the MFP will become, yet again, an opposition party.

General Prawit Wongsuwon, who has the backup of the majority of senators, becomes a favourite candidate for PM. But to name one of the generals in the coup as PM may go against the wishes of most Thais who voted against the current government and spark nationwide protests by MFP supporters that no one wants to see.

A bold prediction is an outsider PM for a Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai and Palang Pracharath coalition government.

In that scenario and formula, Thaksin Shinawatra of Pheu Thai can then retain hope of returning to Thailand after fencing off the MFP from power. Bhumjaithai can retain ministries -- like the transport ministry, which it has controlled for almost a decade. And Gen Prawit's presence in the cabinet can guarantee there is no immediate threat for others to settle accounts with the generals, at least not for the next four years.

The qualification of the PM is they have to be an experienced politician who can be trusted by all parties, a democracy advocate who can silence the MFP, a loyal supporter of the monarchy, and most important of all -- not a loose cannon. Does the name Abhisit Vejjajiva ring a bell?

Re: "Only 'kwai' would pay 100 million baht", (InQuote, June 27).

Quoting the words of the Bhumjaithai Party's leader for having said that only an idiot would have paid 100 million baht to get an MP to switch sides, that could also mean 100 million baht is a ridiculously high price to acquire the loyalty of one MP. Only an idiot would have paid that price when the ongoing rate is 10 million baht.