Published on January 04, 2006
Re: “Thailand’s UN bid: an exit strategy”, Opinion, December 26.
On major issues of national importance, there is a need to have a free and open public debate. The press plays a very important role in presenting the facts and offering opinions and views in a constructive and impartial manner so that we can have an informed public discussion.
I am therefore deeply disappointed with this article by Kavi Chongkittavorn. Certainly, it is the role of the press to be critical in performing its role as keeper of the public interest. But it is entirely improper for the press to be guided by partisanship and take on the role of both judge and jury. What is more, the unauthorised use of confidential documents to try to substantiate this partisan agenda falls far short of the standards expected of a responsible press. It is obvious that no public figure is above criticism. But let us have a constructive and a civil dialogue based on facts and merits. I would hope that such would be the case with regard to the candidature of Dr Surakiart Sathirathai for the post of the United Nations secretary-general. Sihasak Phuangketkeow Director-general, Department of Information Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bangkok --------------------------------------------------------- Those building up Thailand deserve a higher education I was gratified to find out that long-overdue literacy training and skills development measures are finally being instituted by the Ministry of Education to offer basic learning services to customarily neglected refugee communities in government-run camps near the Burmese border. It is hoped that these same non-discriminatory visionary practices will also apply to the primarily Mon migrant labourers in Phang Nga, Ranong and Phuket, and especially to their school-aged children. We must not forget that more than 2,000 of the tsunami victims were these mostly legal construction workers and misbegotten itinerant fishermen. Shamefully, the fearful loving survivors of the deceased were threatened with deportation, rather than being treated with humanistic kindness or understanding respect. Most have never received the dignified recognition, financial compensation or compassionate support they justifiably deserve for their tragic losses and ongoing biased handling. At least this new policy represents an initial attempt to make amends for past ethnic minority and migrant abuses. Pax vobiscum. Dr Chanchai Prasertson Bangkok --------------------------------------------------------- Selflessness in short supply among current crop of leaders Re: “Surakiart would be a good UNSG, but PM could have chosen better politically”, Letters, December 31. Songdej Praditsmanont wrote, “If Thaksin had nominated Surin [Pitsuwan], he would have been viewed as a selfless statesman for picking an opposition member to serve in the international arena for the sake of Thailand. It would also have softened future blows from the opposition.” I can confirm that no one in his or her right mind would ever confuse the current PM, or anyone in his Cabinet, with a “selfless statesman”. An old and wise man said it best: “It just ain’t so!” Brian Knight Nakhon Ratchasima --------------------------------------------------------- Let’s finish the race since we’ve already come this far Thailand’s candidate for the job of UN secretary-general, Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, has been referred to as not “a brand name” and “unmarketable”. But don’t most of the candidates for this post, in the past and still today, come from developing countries? Thailand should continue the push for the top post in the UN. Why start listening now to criticism coming from inside the US and pull away from the race? Surakiart does not have the support from the US, but does any candidate have the support of all five permanent members of the UN Security Council? We have come too far in this saga to give up now. Thai Thai Bangkok --------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to Thailand and the cult of the poster boy Re: “Tsunami remembered with tawdry displays”, Opinion, January 2. You mention the giant poster of Thaksin in clear sight of visitors arriving for the event. Giant posters of Thaksin seem to be everywhere; for example, adjacent to the Pratu Chiang Mai here in Chiang Mai. Whether just a reflection of poor taste or an attempt to emulate the personality cults of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, they make a very unfavourable impression on any arrival to Thailand. Disgusted Chiang Mai --------------------------------------------------------- Why can’t the police just start enforcing traffic laws? Re: “Fall in holiday road death toll attributed to better planning”, News, January 2. The news in regard to the road toll this weekend makes me angry and sad. Hundreds of people killed and injured, as usual. The police give their “horror” stories but no one does anything positive to reduce this carnage on our roads. There is lax enforcement of rules for seatbelts, mobile phones, speed limits and direction indicators. No one really cares, including those in our government. I saw children standing in cars against the dashboard, standing in pickups, and more disturbing images last weekend. By my count, about 50 per cent of the driving population was using a mobile phone while driving. I estimated expressway speeds by a lot of buses to be about 130km an hour. We are constantly proving the fact that we are still very much a Third World nation. A Concerned Citizen Bangkok --------------------------------------------------------- Six simple steps for making roads safer Obviously, the problem of traffic accidents persists, especially during major holidays. I offer the following suggestions: 1. Do not consume alcohol and then operate a motor vehicle. 2. Police officers should not accept bribes to look the other way from motor vehicle operators who are found to be under the influence of alcohol. 3. No more than two people, regardless of age, should be allowed to ride on a motorcycle. Also, all people on motorcycles must wear helmets and shoes. 4. Do not serve or sell alcohol to minors (people under the age of 18). 5. Do not serve or sell alcohol to people who appear to be under the influence of alcohol. 6. All motor vehicle operators obey all traffic signs. With some better education standards and, where appropriate, creative but harsh penalties for those who fail to adhere to these suggestions, a dramatic drop in the annual New Year and Songkran road carnage can be achieved. Big Brother Bangkok --------------------------------------------------------- Indonesia still awaits return of its orang-utans I represent ProFauna – Indonesian’s leading wildlife protection organisation. Two years ago the Thai government acted with commendable speed in confiscating illegally obtained orang-utans from Safari World. Since then, all that appears to have happened is that some orang-utans have died of a mysterious illness, others have been moved elsewhere in Thailand, and amazingly, 22 orang-utans were illegally exported to an amusement park in Cambodia. I call on the government of Thailand to now please return all of the illegally obtained orang-utans to my country. We have tried hard to work with the Forestry and Conservation departments but they show no interest in the orang-utans’ well-being. Will the people of Thailand join us in calling on your prime minister to return the orang-utans to Indonesia – now? Hardi Baktiantoro Campaign coordinator, ProFauna Indonesia Indonesia --------------------------------------------------------- Slap on the wrist won’t make gamblers give up their ways Re: “Another bright idea”, News, January 3. So Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook wants to simply cut the flow of electricity to gambling dens instead of actually arresting those known to be taking part in illegal gambling? And just, in other words, let them get away with their crimes, as long as they are “taught a lesson”? And he doesn’t think that perhaps they’ll just learn to stock up on candles or battery-generated lamps and let the games go on? Perhaps to provide a real deterrent, the men (and yes, they’re mostly men) caught taking part in such money-wasting activities, which have wrecked more than a few marriages, should be made to publicly wai their wives and promise to give up their wayward habits. Repeat offenders could be subjected to a ride on a recklessly driven motorcycle. Georgette Chiang Rai
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