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Published on October 25, 2007

Samak Sundaravej's accusation that powerful people in the military and government are in cahoots to prevent him from assuming the prime ministership, if the People Power Party is elected in the December election, should be seen as an attempted cover-up of his own self doubt.

In his long career, Samak gained recognition for his controversial and provocative remarks - aimed mainly at belittling people and portraying himself as holier than others. Thus, if the PPP is elected with enough MPs to form the next government, Samak, as prime minister, will have difficulties getting his administration to function smoothly. He will end up devoting most of his time to fending off attacks from the People's Alliance for Democracy and the Thai military, right from day one. Eventually, a coup cannot be ruled out, for Samak will be seen as no better than his elected predecessor, Thaksin Shinawatra. So why must he be spared?

Samak should realise he is riding on the wave of Thaksin's popularity. A likely scenario - if the PPP is elected to form the next government - is that Banharn Silapa-archa, leader of a smaller party expected to join the coalition, will be chosen to lead the government instead. So, as someone long familiar with Thai politics, Samak must have realised his fate by now. His outburst is a pretext to cover up his self-pity.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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A shameful record on endangered species.

The timely and much awaited CNN programme "Planet in Peril" made its debut in Thailand yesterday and, as usual, Thailand was seen as taking pole position as the biggest importer, distributor and exporter of rare and endangered species from all over the world.

Thailand is a signatory to all international wildlife treaties and is obligated thereby to protect and preserve life and habitats in the eco-system. But the authorities are unwilling or too impotent to make any dent in this lucrative and pervasive racket. There are a handful of ruthless, well-connected and influential traffickers working hand in hand with corrupt officials and cops, putting a shameful stamp on the integrity of this entire country. Is there no one with a backbone that can put these people away and redeem Thailand's tarnished reputation?

Jens

Bangkok

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Govt is duty bound to protect all religions,

Some National Legislative Assembly members have introduced a bill with harsh punishments for offences against Buddhism - such as sexual affairs with monks or nuns, or physically assaulting a monk or nun - and have called for a government panel to protect Buddhism.

Yes, in Buddhism, having sexual affairs with monks is a grave sin - but how about people who have affairs with the clergy of other religions that prohibit such conduct? Why is assaulting a Buddhist monk more of a crime than assaulting, say, a Catholic priest or a Muslim imam? Why should Buddhist clergymen be treated differently from those of other religions? Merely because they have more followers?

So, would those in favour of pro-Buddhist discrimination here be in favour of, say, the US mandating less harsh punishments if a Buddhist monk is assaulted in the US than if a Protestant priest is assaulted?

Also, a sexual affair requires the consent of both parties; I would hope that the proposed law is even-handed and has equally harsh punishment for the offending clergyman or nun.

I have no problem with the government promoting and protecting Buddhism - but since we have freedom of religion and all religions are treated equally under law, whatever the government does for Buddhism, it should also do for other faiths in terms of giving them equal opportunity. I suggest the government emphasise values shared by the various faiths, rather than each faith's interpretation of a given value.

All religions have much to teach us. As Gandhi said: "The essence of true religious teaching is that one should serve and befriend all. It is easy enough to be friendly to one's friends. But to befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion." Let the government focus on that, while treating all religions equally.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Asian students learn foreign languages well

I have no interest going into a lengthy 'tit for tat' exchange over the most recent English-language debate in the letters, and after this letter will comment no further on the issue.

As with my original response, my premise remains that humans have a natural curiosity and inclination towards communication, and in particular the use of languages. Consequently, I cannot accept statements such as: "students have neither the ability, desire or inclination (stupid & lazy) to learn English language skills" backed up with only off-the-cuff information, which is supposed to act as evidence.

In my experience with Asian cultures, I find the general desire to develop English language skills admirable to say the least; far more admirable than, say, in my own country, England, where there is little or no desire to learn to speak another language, such as French.

If anyone wants to generalise about negative experiences or personal frustrations when dealing with Thai students, they should contain them in that special context and not make sweeping statements which refer to whole populations. Finally, I'd like to finish on the note that if someone wants to debate the deficiencies of a country's educational, social and economic capacities, that is an entirely different matter.

R Richards

Bangkok

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Thai king was more widely travelled

Re: "Siam in Europe", News, October 23. Thank you for the piece about King Chulalongkorn and his two grand tours to Europe. Nevertheless, as a Norwegian I have to mention that the King also toured Norway for almost one month in 1907. The King also visited the North Cape, which he described as "Artica", and the fjords on the west coast. One hundred years after the King travelled from Oslo towards the north, a new Thai temple was opened just north of the Norwegian capital.

J Henning Schönheyder

Bangkok

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Commissioner ready to be in the media spotlight

The luminary Election Commissioner Sodsri Sattayadham believes she was stalked and ambushed by ill-intentioned parties, who she is convinced could stand to lose from concessions granted to private firms for printing election ballots. Despite that, Talad Plu police are certain, and a construction worker whose site is next to her home confirmed, that a steel rod accidentally fell onto her home. But Sodsri still holds to her theory. Or should I say theology?

The incident occurred when she was making offerings to a shrine inside her home compound. The "gift" from the sky should not be considered desirable. Only Sodsri can tell what she asked for from the divine being.

How can we voters trust in an Election Commissioner who is so superstitious?

Chamnong Watanagase

Bangkok

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Thieves' rights violated? What about the victims?

 

I read that to shame pickpockets is a violation of human rights. I am tired of hearing about human rights for people like murderers, thieves, child molesters and wife beaters. What about the human rights of the victims? The child who is molested? Do they have no rights? The person who has a wallet stolen? Are they not human? The family of a murder victim? Do they have no human rights? This is never taken into account when these criminals are brought to justice.

Yes, I do think they should be named and their photos shown so that people know who they are. If they don't want their picture put on display - don't do wrong. I say, if you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

Carole

Bangkok

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