Post Bag - KEEP ON SMILING!
Written by Writer on Sunday, October 26th, 2008
Post Bag
KEEP ON SMILING!
Amen, Smiler (Postbag, Oct 23)! I have been preaching the same thing ever since the coup. However, the media (including the Post) has never, to my knowledge, acknowledged the fact that Mr Thaksin took this country from poverty and made it a viable entity, worldwide. They neither care about reporting facts nor about refuting lies and innuendos that have no basis in fact.
Paul
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THE ART OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
In response to the comments made by Paul in his letter in the Oct 22 edition of the Bangkok Post, I’d like to point out his false presumptions about military involvement in Thai politics and his lack of historical knowledge of US politics.
First of all, Thailand has not yet established a system of checks and balances in its government that ensures the sustainablity of civil law. In fact, it appears that Thai generals, admirals and former senior police chiefs are very influential in formulating political policy, and are viewed by politicians as either friend or foe, rather than as servants of the people, regardless of who’s running the country.
I’ve asked myself many times why an annual reshuffle of senior military officers is necessary. Think about that. You should also remember that the present Thai Constitution was drafted by people who were selected by a general, a former general and their staffs. The draft was voted on and accepted by the Thai people. Now Prime Minister Somchai is insisting on constitutional amendments that will favour and enhance his own political agenda. Anyone who believes the Thai government can function effectively without considering the ”recommendations” of its military leaders is mistaken.
Allow me to give my view on political rallies and political protests in the US. The right of assembly is guaranteed under the constitutions of both Thailand and the US, and only a declaration of martial law or a state of emergency order can justify a temporary suspension of that right.
A demonstration is a public gathering of people to voice or otherwise convey a message of dissent and dissatisfaction with government conduct.
In many cases in the US no permit or permission is asked for or granted for a demonstration even though the law may require it. And incidentally, as a matter of courtesy the Thai police as well as the general public are being notified by the PAD when they plan to march or gather a large crowd. The PAD has also reconsidered and cancelled events to avoid the possibility of clashing with the UDD.
I can cite you several instances in which political protests in the US were conducted no differently than the way the PAD is now conducting them. One that comes to mind is the Boston Tea Party, when American colonists decided they’d had enough of an unresponsive and tyrannical ruler. Ku Klux Klan marchers being confronted by the civil rights advocates during the 1960s is not much different than the confrontations between the PAD and UDD, is it? The list goes on and includes anti-war demonstrations, particularly the Vietnam War protests of the 1970s.
My point is that most political protests and demonstrations are designed to be in violation of the law. That’s why they’re called ”acts of civil disobedience”. It draws out the kind of attention necessary to bring about social change and reforms. Maybe Paul doesn’t believe Thailand needs any political reforms?
In Thailand, the government is still pretty much dictatorial and unyielding toward public demonstrations for reform. In the US it’s okay to expose corruption and immorality and not have to fear getting sued for doing so. Political house cleaning is a much easier task. Sometimes all it takes is just the threat of a public outcry to make a politician reconsider their position on a controversial issue. Americans also have another advantage over Thais _ we can examine the congressional voting records of everyone elected to public office anytime, without a reason.
Al Eagan
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STOP SMILING!
To Smiler, who in his letter to the editor on Thursday remarks we should give Thaksin his due, I would like to make the following response. I have lived deep in Isan for the last 20 years and I have seen Isan before, during and after Thaksin. Smiler tells us about the improvement of the infrastructure. Really? Can he be more specific, as myself and friends who are also long-time residents of Isan cannot see any improvement whatsoever, with the exception of the mobile phone network, which did improve for all-too-clear reasons.
I only know that under Thaksin, the debts of people in Isan have doubled. Maybe Smiler was referring to health care? But there was a perfect health scheme in place already: 500 baht insured five people in a family for one year.
Let’s not forget that it is Thaksin who is responsible for dividing the country and it is not for nothing that he has been convicted in a court of law.
Egon
Phanom Phrai, Roi Et
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SORRY MATE, YOU’RE IN MY WAY
Thongbai Thongpao (Sunday Post Oct 19) writes of being unable to go about his daily business because Bangkok roads are blocked by mobs and he reckons that freedom and democracy have led to this lawless situation. Actually the present chaos is a result of Thai society’s inability to stick to basic democratic rules. In a democracy, society agrees to a set of rules that enable it to operate in an orderly fashion and in a manner that is fair to all, for example, by striking a balance between one citizen’s right to protest and another’s right to move about unmolested.
For many years I lived near the centre of London, a major political centre and the scene of countless marches and rallies. In London the rules are simple: you contact the police in advance and agree to the route of your march and the venue for your meeting. Protests are not allowed in the vicinity of Parliament and most rallies are held in Trafalgar Square, about a mile away. The police are trained in crowd and riot control and most events pass off with minimum disruption to the general public. If any group were to invade a government building, they would be removed without delay and by force if necessary.
In Thailand the police are untrained in crowd control and afraid of the consequences of intervention, and who can blame them? The Thai ?lite were all falling over themselves last week, rushing to be seen at the funeral of the unfortunate young woman killed at the PAD protest, sending out the message that they support the PAD’s objective and are willing to tolerate their blatant lawbreaking. That is why Khun Thongbai and the country are both having trouble reaching their destinations.
Dom Dunn
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Bangkok Post
Sunday October 26, 2008
