Under military rule, Thailand has become cruel and heartless -- repeatedly colluding with repressive foreign governments to intercept asylum seekers and send them back to face life-threatening dangers.
Saudi women fleeing their families can face severe violence from relatives, deprivation of liberty, and other serious harm. Thai authorities should immediately halt attempts to deport Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, and either allow her to continue her travel to Australia or permit her to remain in Thailand to seek protection as a refugee from UNHCR.
Sunai Phasuk
Human Right Watch
An ugly phrase
Re: "Saudi woman held at Bangkok airport 'fears death' if repatriated", (BP, Jan 7).
The ugly phrase, "Her male guardian", says it all. It proclaims loud and clear that, along with those brainwashed by their self-serving ideology, the men who created and brutally enforce the long-traditional social norms of Saudi Arabia see women, perhaps among others, not as free, equal human persons, but as property to control, as chattels to be managed, doubtless under a pious sham of "protecting their natural inferiors".
This might superficially be "a family matter". It is certainly the despotism of the state writ personal.
Although some might argue that such brutish social conventions might once have served a purpose, any such claim requires strong support from a discussion that has never been allowed under censorship laws that, naturally, serve to loyally protect the traditional status quo from exposure of grave moral corruption. Blatantly sexist, brutish, patriarchal, and despotic, "Her male guardian" owners now seek collusion from foreign powers.
Felix Qui
Who let them do it?
Once again it is amazing Thailand or, in this case, disgusting may be a better word. How did Saudi consular officials even get access to a person in transit? It defies belief for any national let alone someone from the country with the worst record of persecution against women on earth.
Nik
Thai soil not safe
Too bad Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun wasn't in transit in the airport in Turkey when a Saudi diplomat snatched her passport away from her. Just as the Turks did not allow the Saudis to cover up what their officials did to Jamal Khashoggi, they, too, probably would not have participated in Ms Qunun's rendition back to Saudi Arabia.
Jamal Khashoggi was safe on Turkish soil, so the Saudis lured him into the Saudi embassy. In Ms Qunun's case, she was no safer on Thai soil than if she had still been in Saudi Arabia.
For the 18-year-old the "Land of Smiles" is truly the "Land of Tears".
Edward Zile
No interest in English
Somsak Pola in his Jan 7 letter suggested Thai English language skills are poor due to the so-called Thailand "never been colonised" excuse. Most Thai students probably have no inkling of Thailand's past. History, as I observed when visiting Thai schools, was not a strong subject in the Thai curriculum.
I doubt if students even understand "colonisation". Students get their dose of history through movies such as Suriyothai and Bang Rachan and other cinema offerings.
Let's put the blame where blame is due. Poor language skills can be attributed to lack of interest in learning English or any other language, poor language skills for many who teach English, not enough time devoted to teaching English, and the belief that Thais are the most superior of among Southeast Asians.
Sorry to disappoint or disillusion, folks. The world is still a large place, and if one wants to taste the fruits of its offerings, one had better have something in common with those outside of Thailand.
David James Wong
Contact: Bangkok Post Building
136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110
fax: +02 6164000 Email:
All letter writers must provide full name and address.
All published correspondence is subject to editing at our discretion.
