LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
In a democracy, the real test of leadership should be a free and fair election
The country of Thailand is a democracy, a form of government that the populace should be proud of and protect at any expense.
Unfortunately, what I am witnessing could almost be called a rule by mob mentality. One of the immeasurable benefits of a democracy is its capability to adapt to meet the necessities of the public. The opposition to the present government has staged protest rally after protest rally, which is well within their rights. Freedom of speech is only protected by one form of government, a democracy. Try carrying out a demonstration incompatible with the government in China and observe the consequences. The opposition, the other political parties and the press have all overlooked the central theme. It's not if the present prime minister is the person to lead the country, but whether the expression of a point of view is within the limits of the laws of the country. In a democracy, if you disagree with the leaders, changing the leadership is relatively straightforward: in the next election obtain more votes than your adversary. But that alternative does not appear to be the solution for the protesters. What I perceive is that only the prime minister's resignation will make them content. This is where I have my principal dilemma. Why? Why is not beating him in the next election an acceptable alternative? Could it be they know they would lose? And, if they know they would lose an election and their only way to gain power is to create a state of mayhem in the streets and put the country into perpetual disorder, then just exactly who is the chief impediment to prosperity for the country, the prime minister, who has won two separate elections by landslides and is willing to go through a third, or the protesters that create chaos in the country to gain control? In my opinion it is the protesters. They went out, assembled immense quantities of public support and got what they desired: a new election and a chance to lead the country. Now they want to boycott the election. What hypocrites! In essence what they are saying is that the citizens of Thailand don't want us to lead the country, but we don't care. William Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- Politicians should act like civilised adults
After having heard both the comments from Thaksin that referred to consulting with opposition leaders and Chuan Leekpai's reply, I wondered if it wouldn't be a good idea to communicate to the world that mature adults are governing Thailand? The world certainly has not got that impression so far. One really doesn't need to wonder why. Utopia Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- Manipulating the news reeks of arrogance
Re: "Prime minister's fans go postal", News, March 3. I read with incredulity your article on the sale of postcards to support the PM. Even this is a corrupt pantomime, with one purchaser, not surprisingly from Chiang Mai, buying 30,000 and another 20,000. The obvious deception at hand is breathtaking, but that is clearly how arrogant Thaksin and his supporters are. It is nonsense worthy only of an unsophisticated one-party African dictatorship. Dr John Symons Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- The PM's postal campaign is a propaganda farce
Re: "Prime minister's fans go postal", News, March 3. Since PM Thaksin's asked his supporters to mail in postcards, the items have been selling like mad. Fine - if that really indicated how many want him to stay in office. But post offices report bulk buying: eg in Chiang Mai, out of 53,000 cards sold, fully 50,000 went to just two persons. So, wow! The PM's deluged with 53,000 cards - from just 3,002 persons. How misleading - by accident, of course. And when PM Thaksin shows off the mountains of cards, how many will even be filled out? How many people will send in multiple cards? My embattled PM, please choose a more accurate barometer to measure your support, eg a petition drive, with a neutral party to validate signatures, just like what the opposition's doing to get you out. If you, dear reader, get one of the postcards, feel free to write a note to your beloved mother on it. She'd love to hear from you. Burin Kantabutra Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- The stench of lies and hypocrisy gives itself away
Thai politicians just don't "get it". If you tell the people one thing and do another, they will understand that you have two tongues, like a snake. Some would say two-faced. People are pretty smart and will soon figure out that the politician is a liar. Michael Weldon Udon Thani ---------------------------------------------- Asean already recognises a military-backed regime
Re: "Asean may not recognise a military-backed regime", News, March 2. I read this news with amazement: in case there's a change of government here in Thailand and the military takes over from a civilian government, Asean members would not recognise it. Well, what happened to the election back in Burma in 1990 when Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won an overwhelming majority (more than 80 per cent of the vote) and the military mounted a coup to forestall the civilian government? How come Asean gave legitimacy and recognition to this illegal, brutal military regime and also invited it into the Asean club? Dave in BKK Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- Thaksin's reincarnation doesn't fool anybody
What a stunt! In the twinkling of an eye, a mask of democracy covered the face of the PM, making him kind and mild. These last few days, he has been heard talking glibly about "democracy", "regulations", "peace" and "the people's power", as if these fine-sounding words will become reality when they are repeated a hundred times. Thaksin is anything but democratic. He once declared that democracy is not his goal. So he invested at all costs (of course with money from the state's coffers) in buying popular support; support from grass-roots people, media scum and independent institutions and even some lawmakers, while paralysing the mechanisms of checks and balances in our country. Dear Mr Democracy, you are facing the day of judgement. You are trying in vain while on your last legs to adopt a new disguise, a disguise of democracy only capable of deceiving the naive. Abee Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- Taiwan risks regional crisis with its push
Re: "China unity council scrapped by Taiwan", News, February 27. On February 27, Chen Shui-bian, in total disregard of the strong opposition of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and condemnation from the international community, brazenly decided to cease the functioning of the National Unification Council (NUC) and cease the application of the National Unification Guidelines. Though he did not dare use the word "abolish", as he had long planned to, and said "cease" instead, he was merely playing on words in order to mislead the people of Taiwan and international public opinion. Everyone knows that Chen Shui-bian schemes for Taiwan independence. He claims that his decision does not "involve changing the status quo". But it is clear that his real purpose is to step up his Taiwan-independence activities through ceasing the function of the National Unification Council and ceasing the application of the Guidelines. He accuses the mainland of posing a threat to Taiwan, but it is he who is bent on undermining peace in the Taiwan Straits and creating tension in cross-Straits relations. He says what he does is to "respect the free will to choose by the Taiwan people". But in reality he is trying to impose Taiwan independence, plotted by a few individuals for selfish interests, on the 23 million Taiwan people, which would be a nightmarish experience for them. Central Committee Communist Party of China Taiwan Affairs Office China State Council ---------------------------------------------- Quality tourists demand the right of 24-hour partying
Those of you who have supported this so-called social-order campaign by these half-witted socialite politicos, who can't control their own offspring, may want to check out what others are saying about your city. The New York Times has declared Bangkok dead and recommends Shanghai, Beijing or Singapore. Wake up, folks! You need to promote 24/7 party time in your city, not kerb-side sleazy hooker stalls out on the footpath next to a pile of vendor garbage. Your PM has made Bangkok the joke of Asian nightlife. Penang is open all night. What's wrong with this picture? Eric John Miami, Florida
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