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Published on July 16, 2007

I'm not quite sure what democracy the writer alludes to: that during the Thaksin era, or before Thaksin? Surely neither hold the pledge of "democracy". In the US, as elsewhere, billions of dollars are spent on presidential electioneering; less so here, but the principles of engagement are similar, only with a far more transparent propensity for unabashed vote buying.

In an ideal world, policy initiatives would be pivotal in electing a political party, whose mandate is clearly defined for the benefit of the people it hopes to enlist. But the world is far from ideal and the "28 families" that run the show in this country ensure, as Egon suggests, that "the quality of a democracy is only as good as its population base".

But it is the resistance to implement seriously considered education reforms by the few that continue to keep Isaan's farmers from any hope of economic development.

Thailand needs to evolve from its agricultural capitalism to a progressive, knowledge-based, added-value economy, but vested interests persist in employing "cul-de-sac" power politics for the benefit of themselves, not its people.

"Democracy", in this context, in a complete misnomer. Thailand is saddled with a system of privilege and patronage and "the road back to democracy" is so frequently misrepresented it's becoming increasingly irritating to read. Please desist.

James Groveway

Bangkok

 

Collective ownership may instil responsibility

Re: "Selling off land would spell disaster for farmers", Letters, July 15.

I wholeheartedly agree with John Arnone's letter regarding Isaan farmers. There is no need to over-educate farmers or to hasten the inevitable loss of their farms to big land-holders.

The point John makes about the unfair distribution of income that farmers receive compared to brokers and exporters is very valid.

Villages should be encouraged to form collectives owned by farmers whereby they can broker and export their rice directly, with the profits returning to the collective.

However, with current broker and export rights being determined by corrupt allegiances, such a change will face formidable opposition.

If Thailand is to alleviate the poverty of farmers, endemic throughout Isaan, the solution is not free handouts but a fairer share of what farmers already produce. Instead, government initiatives that place more debt burden on farmers accelerate the rate at which independent farmers become unviable.

End the domination of the robber barons who behave as feudal landlords and treat farmers like serfs. This is not the Middle Ages and Thai farmers deserve better.

Steve Pedrotta

Khao Hin Sorn

Farmers are pragmatic, not 'principled'

Re: "Selling off land would spell disaster for farmers", Letters, July 15.

Even if John Arnone's arguments against selling land to foreigners were true, they are not essential whatsoever in allowing foreigners to buy land or not. At this moment the farmer is free to sell his land to whoever he likes, be it corporations or individuals. The only difference in opening the market for foreigners is that thanks to higher demand the price of land will rise without any change in Arnone's arguments.

His idea to combat election corruption by abolishing mandatory voting shows that his stay in Yasothon has been too short to know the mental state of farmers. Mandatory or not, the farmer will always vote for the politician who gives him money.

Egon Wout

Bangkok

Education is good for the land and country

Re "Selling of land would spell disaster for farmers", Letters, July 15.

John Arnone is right when he says that if Isaan farmers sold their land, that would be a disaster for them - but he's correct only because of his unproven assumptions.

He asserts that "if they got Bt100,000 for their farms, they'd spend that in 100 days". Doubtless many would do precisely what Arnone says - but, collectively, I suggest that they have more wisdom. Arnone has chosen to live with them, and presumably he won't have selected simpletons as neighbours.

He asserts that Isaan farmers "have no use for education other than how to jury-rig a hoist". But I suggest that farmers need more education than that. Aristotle noted: "All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth." I propose that the education of Isaan's youth will significantly affect the region's future. For example, Arnone notes that better water management to utilise fields year-round is difficult to do; better education will make the task easier.

Mr Arnone, you have more than the fourth-grade education that is all that many Thai farmers have. That schooling has given you the ability to, for example, read this newspaper, write often to express your views, seek out and analyse information, and make thought-out decisions. Hopefully, it has also enabled you to critically and impartially evaluate viewpoints other than your own. I suggest that learning these skills can improve your neighbours' living conditions, enrich their lives, and make them the more responsible citizens that any democracy needs. In short, they have a desperate need for education (though whether they're getting it is a different question).

I propose that in a democracy, each voter - including you and I - has the duty to pro-actively inform him about the issues of the day, exert all lawful pressure on candidates to take their views into consideration, and constantly monitor office-holders' performance. As Thomas Jefferson said: "I know of no safe repository for the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to increase their discretion by education."

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

Is the UN worried about investigating Thailand?

In the Philippines is a rapporteur of the UN investigating the more than 1,000 cases of extra-judicial killings, mainly committed by the military, during the Arroyo regime in the last six years. Why is there no UN rapporteur in Thailand investigating the more than 2,000 extra-judicial killings mainly committed by the police and the military during the regime of Thaksin Shinawatra in the last six years?

Did the UN ask Thailand to allow this investigation. Or was the entry of UN investigators in the kingdom not permitted because foreigners don't understand "Thai culture"?

Corrupt money-deals are investigated for years and years. But nobody seems interested in the many human rights violations and abuses during the Thaksin dictatorship. In other words: the Thai military and police don't want to be investigated.

Nick

Bangkok

Feel proud to cut back on electricity usage

Dear Mr Apirak, set a goal of reducing Bangkok's overall electricity use by 50 per cent in four years. Here are suggestions for a two-pronged plan:

First, deal dynamically with air-conditioning, which is probably the number one drain on energy use. There are various ways to lessen the need for air-conditioning. There are physical methods such as better shading, tinted windows, better insulated spaces, etc. And there are psychological ways to lessen its use, such as making people aware that a less-than-cold temperature is okay. Every time I go to the city, I find myself entering spaces that feel like cold storage vaults. Thailand is tropical - so why do people burn megawatts to make it feel like Iceland?

The second prong would be to launch a friendly campaign called "One Person, One Light". Consider; each individual needs no more than one light at any one time, unless perhaps they're playing sports in an arena at night. The "One Person, One Light" campaign would apply to all home light fixtures, interior and exterior, and include offices. Such a campaign could get celebrity volunteers to assist with public-service messages. Make it clear that lowered electricity use is good for the individual, is good for the family, and is good for the well-being of the whole country.

Sure, there are other ways to reduce overall electricity use, but I bet just the two concepts mentioned above, enacted dynamically, would help considerably.

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai