It is understandable that British Ambassador Quinton Quayle should shift into damage-limitation mode with a press statement about his predecessor's valedictory dispatch.
Nonetheless, taken as a whole, the late Sir Anthony Rumbold's letter constitutes an interesting historical document which, written as it was against the backdrop of war in Vietnam, rewards a closer reading.
Admittedly supercilious in tone, Rumbold does indeed dismiss Thailand as something of a cultural backwater (Bangkok Opera was, of course, yet to be formed), but also speaks of the "excellent manners" and "graceful gestures" of the Thai people, saying that he had "very much enjoyed living for a while in Thailand" - just as his present-day successor so evidently still does. The dispatch makes passing reference to the interest of the Thai upper class in cricket (not football), but is silent on local cuisine.
In one major respect, Sir Anthony was woefully wide of the mark. His analysis of what he called the "rather ill-assorted" duumvirate of Field-Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn and General Prapass Charusathiana contains the prognostication: "And anyway the days of the coup d'etat are probably over for good."
For better or worse, revised Foreign Office practice seems likely to deprive us of Ambassador Quayle's private thoughts when the time comes for him to depart.
CHRIS JEFFERY
BANGKOK
Asean cannot afford |to ignore its youth
Re: "Connectivity: the next step in Asean community building", Opinion, October 22.
There are many reasons to expect that the 15th Asean Summit to be hosted from October 23-25 at Cha-am near Hua Hin will be a crucial milestone for this prestigious regional institution uniting over 580 million people.
However, in order to become "a community of action, connectivity and peoples", Asean has to establish and cultivate its own identity in accordance with its fundamental legal instrument - the Asean Charter. To promote an Asean identity through the fostering of greater awareness of the diverse culture and heritage of the region, it is imperative to ensure the vibrant participation of the younger generation of all ten members of Asean in this ambitious endeavour.
Therefore, hope can be expressed that during the 15th Asean Summit, adequate attention will be paid to topical youth issues and documents, including The Voice of Youth on East Asia Community Building, proposed by Asean Plus Three youth leaders. Indeed, youth can bring a significant contribution to giving tangibility to Asean values and identity, without which the process of Asean integration and community building cannot be realistically envisaged.
IOAN VOICU
BANGKOK