PAD protests signify deep concern and discontent

The PAD is indisputably a blunt instrument where one of precision and finesse would be more acceptable. But Thailand is not a mature, developed democracy with an educated and informed electorate who have been presented with detailed manifestos by well established parties in whom the electorate can have trust, and which has inviolable institutions that are impervious to undue influence to ensure just and equitable outcomes.

 Democracy here consists of a band of self-serving individuals and their relatives, who change parties like clothing, with the single aim of gaining or clinging to power at any cost. The PPP has usurped the mantle of a democratic government by devious means and now connives to change the laws to guarantee its survival come what may. That is what it is now frantically, but seemingly unproductively so far, seeking to do.

And in the face of this onslaught on the nation state, ordinary law-abiding citizens, in the form of the PAD, are taking a stance to oppose this gross abuse.

Given the general laissez-faire attitude here in Thailand, that ordinary citizens should choose to do this truly amazes me; they really must feel that the future of their country, and that which they hold most dear, is under the most extreme of threats. It shows most clearly a loss of faith in the normal channels and due process to guarantee a proper outcome.

It will take a steady hand and calm head to find a way through this apparent impasse. PM Samak and his interior minister have both, in the past few days, been found woefully lacking and the opposition seems struck dumb. Quite where statesmanship, leadership or a knight in shining armour will come from eludes me.

John Symons

Bangkok

-------------------------------------

Government wants nuclear power via the back door

Re: Watchdog column, May 31.

In his column, Nophakhun Limsamarnphun suggested the government should launch a nationwide "education campaign" on the benefits of nuclear power. He seemed to suggest that it was a lapse by the government that they had not done so.

I am not as generous as Nophakhun. I think it is far more likely that the government is deliberately not saying anything. People working in the Office of Atomic Energy for Peace must realise that if they launched a campaign, it would be the trigger to activate the anti-nuclear groups, who could then launch their own accurate educational campaign. This would increase the concerns of local people and make it extremely difficult to implement the project. What is most likely in their thinking is that if they keep quiet, they can hope to sneak the project up on people and present them with a fait accompli so that the protests come too late.

In a democratic system, people have the right and duty to keep an eye on what governments and government agencies are doing, to seek out the facts behind an issue, and to generate public debate when necessary. The nuclear issue is one which should get a lot more publicity and discussion in the community.

Gareth Clayton

Bangkok

-------------------------------------

A practical solution to the "Miss" problem

In reference to the new Interior Ministry regulation that allows women to choose to retain a title of "Miss" after a marriage, divorce or widowhood, while the title may mislead people into believing that the title-holder is single, it surely would misstate about the age. To alleviate the inequality between women and men, the ministry should not have allowed women freedom of choice. It does not help. I suggest that, when of legal age, men and women should change their titles from Dek Chai (male minor) and Dek Ying (female minor) to Nai Sode (single male) and Nang Sode (single female). "Sode" means unmarried.

Upon marriage, the single status would be taken away and the titles would appear simply as "Nai" and "Nang": not eligible anymore! They may choose to return to pre-marriage status after divorce or death of a spouse. Since the word "Miss" translates as "young girl" in Thai, how could someone at an elderly age, though remaining single, proudly display her [supposed] virginity by carrying a title that essentially means "young and available maiden"?

Chamnong Watanagase

Bangkok