Re: "Watch ruling a bad mistake", (Editorial, Dec 29).
Nobody in the right mind would have thought the NACC would dare to punish the Watchman. This case pretty much fits the norms of a kangaroo commission operating in a banana republic. Now we know how rotten the roots of Thai governance are.
This decision by the NACC pretty much strengthens the stereotypical image of Thailand where the elites dictate and drive the corruption in almost every agency without any fear. Hence none of the Thai institutions are trustworthy. It does not bode well for Thailand which is supposed to be the cheerleader of reforms in Asean in the year 2019.
Kuldeep Nagi
Sarcasm at its best
Re: "Who you gonna call?", (PostBag, Dec 29).
Somsak Pola has done it again -- sarcasm at its best! He has weighed in to your criticisms of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Dec 27, "Who trusts the NACC?".
He gave credit to the NACC in ensuring Thaksin and Yingluck have to roam the world for the rest of their lives and putting two previous cronies in jail for malfeasance. At this point, I asked myself: had Khun Somsak now changed his stance on that controversial man?
But hang on, his last paragraph assures me that his scepticism to life still remains intact when he whispered that in relation to the scandals of "the GT 200, non-flying blimp, Rajabhakti Park, Rolls-Royce scandal, watches scandal", that the NACC regarded them as small fish and therefore allowed the lot to escape jail.
His assertion that he trusts the NACC was simply a joke and in fact "I do not trust the NACC" was his intended answer but hidden under sarcasm. Khun Somsak, please keep writing! You have made my day!
Songdej Praditsmanont
PM's critics are friends
Re: "Prem tells Prayut, view people as friends, not foes", (Online, Dec 27).
I agree with Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda's advice to Gen Prayut to see those with differing viewpoints as friends, not foes. Gen Prem undoubtedly learned from our beloved national father, the late King Rama IX, whose diligence in seeking information from a diversity of farmers and civil servants in direct contact with those on the land to solve their problems is legendary. Various parties have differing platform planks, but they share many commonalities, for example in seeking to sustainably close our tremendous rich-poor income gap.
Instead of giving out the band-aid of 500-baht bills, the junta should listen to the parties' plans, and see how they could work together for the common long-term good. In this regard, the Democrat Party wants to extend free public education even further, for it sees, rightfully in my mind, that education is the most effective way to narrow this income gap.
However, Thai education now kills, rather than promotes, the creativity and thirst for learning that is essential for tomorrow's workers -- so the junta must reform the teachers' mentality as well as extending free schooling.
PM Prayut, look at those with differing opinions as providing opportunities to learn, not as foes. Heed Prem and follow our beloved national father's footsteps.
Burin Kantabutra
Value your vote
Re: "Make voting compulsory", (PostBag, Dec 30).
Tony Ash says we should have compulsory voting and complains that otherwise only "angry" people vote. But at least "angry" people care enough to vote. I have no respect for people who are either too lazy or stupid to have enough of an opinion to vote. Even if you find the front runner candidates too intolerable to vote for, you can vote for a third party candidate.
If people are forced to vote they may randomly vote for anyone to avoid a penalty. Why should their votes count?
There are people who live under dictatorships who risk their lives fighting for the freedoms that people living in democratic countries take for granted. People who don't use those freedoms to have a say in the future of their own country are a disgrace.
Eric Bahrt
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