Re: "The combined prayers of all Thais have saved these children. Thailand has steadfastly stood by its citizens and the determination to find these children serves as an example to the rest of the world," PostBag, July 6.
Like millions throughout the world, I have watched this drama unfold and endured the emotional torment of the loss of these boys and their coach, the search for them and now the anxiety of ensuring a safe rescue. I have admired the fortitude of the families and the resilience of the boys. I could not suppress tears of relief when the boys were found, nor tears of sadness when a Thai diver lost his life.
However, it seems that now people's emotions are running out of control. Is it too much to ask that people engage their brains as well as their hearts? Maybe so. First, we had a Bangkok Post opinion piece describing the national concern about and interest in this event as a true example of "Thainess", when it has nothing whatsoever to do with "Thainess". What it is is an example of our common humanity. It's about being human, not being Thai. For Thais to claim ownership of sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, communal support and sacrifice, and suggest the combination of these traits is a peculiarly Thai thing that they can display to the world, is frankly patronising. Particularly when this "Thainess" is completely absent in Thailand when it comes to caring about the many hundreds of children who are killed on the roads every year.
Then we have Rajendra Aneja writing a beautiful letter, most of which I completely agree with, but which unfortunately contains the above paragraph, about which I want to say two things. Firstly, I'm sorry to say that prayers did not bring about the finding of these children. What did was human ingenuity and the skills of two English divers who had spent their adult lives exploring cave systems underwater. Secondly, it is understandable that a Thai who has been through the Thai public education system might say that Thais are being an example to the rest of the world, because (see the many letters and articles about the Thai education system over the years in this newspaper) the system ensures they remain ignorant about the rest of the world. Therefore they would not be aware of similar stories about disasters or near disasters in other parts of the world. As I implied above, Thais are human, like all other human beings on this planet -- the same, no better no worse. Whatever "Thainess" is, it does not make them superior in any way to other humans in other nations.
My last point: I just read that the boys, if they are extracted safely, will be invited by Fifa to the World Cup final. So the lesson is, go and do something you shouldn't be doing, something reckless, get yourself trapped, become an international news sensation, let governments spend millions of dollars rescuing you, become a celebrity, and get a free, once in a lifetime trip to the World Cup final, while all your more sensible friends have to make do with TV. Seriously, there's something very wrong with this world.
Keith Barlow
Sathien's charity contribution?
I read your profile of the billionaire Sathien Setthasit with interest, but I searched in vain for his involvement in some sort of charitable cause (Business, July 7). One would think that having seen rural poverty first-hand when he was living in the forest and now making his fortune off workers with his energy drink, he and his company would be showing their gratitude by supporting some charity or charities that would help his customers and their families.
A Reader
No such thing as social equality
Re: "NLA approves 20-year national strategy," Online, July 6.
"On social equality, the focus is on pulling resources from all sectors to steer changes and supporting people's assemblies to mobilise ideas for public interests." Imagine being stuck with the above for 20 years with penalties for non-compliance?
There is no such thing as "social equality". To enshrine this nonsensical bit of idealism as a national goal and then to employ bureaucrats to fiddle with all sectors in order to "steer changes" is without question the most absurd thing ever to be announced by the Thai government, and that is saying a lot!
At present you have all sectors praying and even sacrificing their lives in order to save a group of ordinary Thai's stuck in a cave. Isn't that enough evidence of the merits of Thai society? It is the rule of law and freely rendered legal justice that is required.
Social justice is an unobtainable pipe dream best left to Alice to search for in Wonderland.
Michael Setter
US the greatest democracy
Jim starts his July 7 letter, "Fascism in America," with the following two paragraphs. "I had a conversation with a Thai national recently who said to me that America is the greatest democracy in the world. He didn't know that in America you must secure the backing of a billionaire before you can make a viable run for public office."
Tell me, Jim, is it any different in Thailand, Israel, Russia, England, France, Malaysia, or any other place in the world? As for your friend who stated correctly, that America is the greatest democracy in the world, he is right on, 100% correct.
Regardless of America's faults, people are fighting to get in, not out. The ongoing, never-ending case is the great immigration debacle, a case in point. On the other hand, I do not see anyone fighting to get into the other "great world democracies". Exodus is the byline in most of them, no exceptions, perhaps with the exception of Canada, another great democracy that attracts worldwide immigration. But as in the USA, Canada must be selective of its applicants.
Yankeleh
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