LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Thaksin started a vicious cycle of division that will end only with his resignation
Re: "Thaksin to stay out of limelight", August 23. Thaksin Shinawatra's decision to remain the Thai Rak Thai Party leader and top candidate on the party list in the next general election must be respected by all, for this is a democracy and the PM has every right to do what he deems good for himself and his country.
However, through his autocratic, corruption-tainted rule over the past five years, besides dividing our country into two opposing sides with his bellicose behaviour, Thaksin has created a deep-seated distrust among Thai taxpayers. Thailand's political observers - both locally and abroad - have cast doubts on the sincerity of his populist policies, his ability to contain graft, and his democratic principles. Instead, Thaksin has done much to convince Thai taxpayers that he falls far short of an ideal leader. His populism was seen to have been carried out in a way in which national money was squandered to ensure votes for his party. A lot of us Thais think Thaksin gained immense popularity by giving our tax money to the rural poor without adequate caution, and with destructive consequences in terms of financial discipline in the future. The rural poor, who form the majority, will vote him in again in order for him to carry on with his populist policies, making this an inevitable vicious cycle. A part of Thai society - especially those who pay taxes duly out of their hard-earned income - has determined to stop Thaksin in any way they can, with any instruments they can get their hands on, and with no let-up. Only Thaksin can stop this confrontational, destructive cycle by making a decision with his conscience. It is hoped he will realise the severity and immediacy of the situation - and act to defuse it. Chavalit Van Chiang Mai --------------------------------------------------------------- Protest beatings reflect a dark time for democracy
Re: "PAD and rivals to blame, TRT claims," News, August 22. I don't know what's more shocking, non-violent anti-Thaksin demonstrators - old men and women - being savagely beaten by Thaksin supporters while the police do nothing, or the government blaming the people who were beaten up instead of the cowards, thugs and hooligans who beat them. Democracy as I know it no longer exists in Thailand. And I think that's very, very sad. Eric Bahrt Chon Buri --------------------------------------------------------------- Leadership sorely lacking in wake of protest violence
Re: "Thaksin to stay out of limelight", August 23. As the leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party, Thaksin needs to take complete responsibility for the civil unrest he has caused, and the sad and unnecessary continuing division of the country, separating friends, families, and even husbands and wives. It seems instead of taking constructive action under his "caretaker" status, Thaksin has decided to lead his team in doing what he likes to do best - pointing the blame at others while he continues on with his self serving interests, and without a compromise in sight. Regarding the Central World incident, it is too strange to watch from the footage, that none of the uniformed officers did anything to stop the fights and restrain both sides. It is as if some very specific orders had been given to let the violence happen and to idly stand by. In the footage, it is quite clear that the protestors were unlawfully and unnecessarily attacked in a violent manner and the police did absolutely nothing. With the whole world watching Thailand, one would think that its caretaker leader, who is a police colonel, would act as a role model for the country's police force and immediately instruct the officers on the scene to act. One day later, Thaksin's words to catch those responsible, no matter what side, come too late and fall on deaf ears. Again, this demonstrates his true self, and his lack of sincerity and concern for the country. Thaksin should not only step down before the violence escalates and the country sadly divides even further, but also, his police title should rightfully be removed. Carolyn Bangkok --------------------------------------------------------------- Peta welcomes law aimed at animal welfare and protection
Re: "Animal torturers face tough new sentences", News, August 20. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) applauds lawmakers for drafting Thailand's first animal welfare and torture prevention law. We only hope the proposed legislation will be put into effect quickly and encompass all animals - whether they are companion animals or animals killed for food or clothing. Mental-health professionals and top law-enforcement officials consider the blatant disregard for life and desensitisation to suffering evidenced by animal neglect, and all forms of cruelty for that matter, to be a red flag. Experts agree that it matters little whether the one being neglected is a pig, a cow, a cat, or a child; it is a person's behaviour of neglecting or hurting any living being that is a concern. Because those who hurt animals often escalate to crimes against humans, Thailand will not only be helping animals by holding animal abusers accountable, but keeping its citizens safe as well. Jason Baker Director People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia-Pacific Hong Kong --------------------------------------------------------------- Legislation finally recognises the sanctity of all forms of life
Re: "Animal torturers face tough new sentences", News, August 20. I was delighted to read this story. At last Thailand is doing something about animal cruelty. As a long time animal rights activist I have seen progress in animal rights in other countries such as the US and in Europe and have thought about how Thailand lagged behind them. We are in line with them in many respects but we are also behind them when it comes to ethical issues, especially about animals who are sentient beings just like us and whose lives should be respected. They should not be tortured as if they are merely things, not feeling beings. This really is a great start for us! I would like to close with the following quote from Mahatma Gandhi: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Peace to all beings, Nuntanit Bumrungsap Bangkok --------------------------------------------------------------- Article on development talk contained inaccuracies
Re: "In search of national happiness", News, August 11. This article quoted extensively the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific director, Environment and Sustainable Development Division, Rae Kwon Chung. The article, based on a seminar, "New Paradigms in Development", held at Chulalongkorn University on August 11 has many inaccuracies not least because Chung has been misquoted. The following points, we hope, will set the record straight for your readers. The seminar was about new paradigms in development and Chung served as a resource person at the seminar. Escap had no part in the organisation of the event. He is an expert on environment and sustainable development, not urban development. "The so-called social-asset cost in Thailand in the past few years had become proportionately five to 10 times higher", is not correct. Chung said: "The socio-economic cost of traffic jams in Bangkok had become 6 per cent of the capital's GDP since 2002-2003." No proposal was made for an Escap development guideline for Thailand nor was it stated that this would lead to a slow-paced but increasingly solid economy and eventual prosperity. Chung however did say: "High traffic congestion cost is a sign of ecological inefficiency of the economic growth pattern and has to be improved in order to pursue ecologically efficient growth or 'green growth'." Escap does not have a guideline called the green plan. Escap promotes environmentally sustainable economic growth or "green growth". It was noted by Escap "that eco-efficiency of economic growth of Thailand has to be improved not only for environmental sustainability, but also as a critical condition for the continued economic growth of the country". And that Escap is actively promoting the "Green Growth" approach, which emphasises the need to move away from the current "grow first, clean-up later" approach towards an ecological efficient growth pattern. "Countries in the Mekong River Basin" is not correct, it should be Greater Mekong River Basin. Thank you for your kind consideration and great help in promoting Escap's substantive work. David Lazarus Chief United Nations Information Services Bangkok --------------------------------------------------------------- Rank universities and judge findings by their merits
Re: "Ranking of universities 'should be postponed'", News, August 22. According to this article university rectors have asked the Commission of Higher Education to postpone the plan to rank the top 50 universities in Thailand, saying the unclear criteria might result in information that is unreliable or biased. It is a fact that every ranking is biased one way or another. There is really no 100 per cent reliable ranking. Instead of postponing the ranking of the top 50 universities in Thailand, the Commission of Higher Education should maintain the August 31 deadline but make it clear what criteria are used in the process of ranking. Let people who use the ranking decide for themselves whether to believe it or not. As a professor at Chiang Mai University, I am fully aware of all the tricks state universities could pull to avoid facing performance evaluation tools such as a ranking system. I think universities should not be afraid of ranking since, if it is used appropriately, it can be a really beneficial tool to help improve their quality of education and research. University rectors should get used to rankings and try to use them for the benefit of their universities. Sanpawat Kantabutra assistant professor of computer science Chiang Mai University Chiang Mai Send us your views in an instant E-mail your opinion, with 'Letters to the Editor' in the subject box, to: letters@nationgroup.com
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