Opponents of the PAD are missing the point

Citizen Jane's comments are no less suspect in that she is hardly conversant with the complex political turmoil assailing us today. Hasn't she realised that, had there not been a movement such as the PAD, which raises issues beyond the man-in-the street's knowledge (or as Citizen Jane says, "it keeps altering its demands"), a certain ex-minister would not have "voluntarily" resigned, the Constitution would now be in the process of being revised, and the Preah Vihar issue would have been swept under the carpet?

Real democracy can only exist when citizens are given equal opportunities and when they can question their peers on any suspect behaviour. This is what the PAD is trying to do, isn't it? Raising questions on suspect issues which are now brought into the open. So, why not answer these questions to the satisfaction of all, instead of mud-slinging or threatening those who dare raise them?

If the PAD were a proxy, as Citizen Jane would have it, then, it is, indeed, a proxy of the Thai people who would like to see justice served; to see Thailand administered by a balanced government with a vision to promote the well-being of all people as a whole, and not focusing only on catering to the whims of any specific group. 

Can't Citizen Jane see that the PAD is serving as a watchdog for the entire nation? Real democracy can be achieved only once the real interests of a country and its people are clearly defined and maintained. Government for the people is definitely not one that works as a nominee for anyone who has put his/her own personal interest above all else.

Jypjy

Bangkok

Thailand must clarify its position on Preah Vihear

Re: "The temple of gloom", News, June 24.

I am in agreement with your view that Thailand should have an equal status in the application to Unesco. Short of a joint application from Thailand and Cambodia, I simply cannot see how Unesco could accept Preah Vihear temple as another World Heritage site because the only sensible approach to the site is via Thai territory. However, this government has succeeded in reducing the strength of our geographical position as an owner of the major part of that mountain range to a subordinate level by giving its support beyond its legal duty to a solo application by Cambodia.

I just pray that the current outcry will help the Quebec meeting to delay its decision a third time because there is no joint application from Thailand. Overt support from the Thai government is not sufficient and is now challenged by its Parliament as acting beyond its legal authority.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

Charge a fat fee for

all types of transport

Re: "Come fly the friendly, fat-fighting skies", "Heavy fliers should pay a higher fuel surcharge," Letters, June 21 & 24.

Although I am a "person of fatness", I have to admit that George Huels and Frugal Flier have a point. In this age of soaring oil costs, we fat folks should pay more when we fly because our extra weight makes the plane consume more fuel. How much? That can be determined by the baggage scale, which we should be required to mount if we can do so without breaking it.

But why stop there? Buses and taxis also consume fuel, do they not? It therefore makes sense for every bus and taxi to carry a scale to weigh us on before allowing us to enter. Admittedly this will slow down traffic just a tad, but no price is too great to pay in the pursuit of justice. The Skytrain and the subway, too, should weigh us and levy a surcharge before granting us entrance.

We "people of substance" take up more space and breathe more air than "people of substancelessness", so a special space-and-air tax should be levied on us. At the same time, people of unusual thinness or shortness deserve a space-and-air tax rebate at the end of every fiscal year.

Unfortunately, we consume too much food; and in this era of soaring food prices, that can be considered a criminal offence.  Persons of substance whose weight exceeds a certain limit should therefore be executed, and their flesh fed to the hungry. In that way, although we blighted the planet in life, we may do some good in death. In that way, too, we can emulate the heroic self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who said to his disciples, "Take, eat; this is my body." (Matthew 26:26.)

And I must correct George Huels' concluding comment about preferring "to sit next to a skinny person who does not smell of French fries". How you smell [may or may not] depend on what you eat, Mr Huels. I eat Thai food, so I smell of naam plaa.

S Tsow

Bangkok  

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