A poem to make the auspicious birthday anniversary of HM the King.
Joyful voices and jubilant hearts,
Rise in this kingdom, our beloved King you to greet,
On this birthday when celebrations are replete,
With memories of your benevolence, our Festive King,
In your work to spread happiness and good health all around,
You enshrine in every effort the value of good neighbourliness,
Thus encouraging all to live in peace and goodness,
Reflected in very nature which shines from sky to ground,
So wishing and willing that peace and harmony be the preferred way,
You lead your people to embrace unity in a unique way,
As such you also spread Thai values in foreign lands you visit,
Upholding tolerance, goodwill and peace as hallmarks of Thai spirit,
With these and many more reasons to celebrate your birthday,
We invoke the blessings of good health and happiness be yours today.
Glen Chatelier
Keep a fair view
Re: "Tragic death exposes flaws", (Editorial, July 24).
Phanupong Wongwai's unfortunate death after the attending physician was allegedly verbally abusive and refused to order an ECG certainly requires further investigation. I agree with the Post editorial that such incidents are inexcusable and undermine public confidence.
However, I disagree with generalising from this one unsavoury incident and using it as a reason to call for a national campaign to improve empathy training in medical schools. That is quite a leap! Does this kind of thing happen often? Does the editorial writer really know how this subject is or isn't taught in each and every medical school in Thailand?
As a foreign doctor living in Thailand for many years, I have encountered many examples of impressive expressions of empathy from all levels in the healthcare system here. Perhaps it's a consequence of the inherent kindness and good nature which comes naturally to most Thai people.
Dr Jon
Earn our trust, PM
Re: "PR not the only problem", (Editorial, July 10).
Despite his very costly 60/40 handout, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul still trails People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut as poll respondents' choice for PM. As the Post editorialised, "If the (Anutin) government hopes to reverse its declining popularity, it must demonstrate a broader commitment to accountability, competent governance and meaningful reform."
I suggest that he must: (a) Show that he'll act quickly and decisively on recommendations. Anutin has had ex-graftbuster Vicha Mahakun's proposals on reforming the Royal Thai Police and Office of the Attorney-General since his first day in office. Yet, he's not only not sent them to parliament for enactment into law to make them more resistant to being erased, he recently relied on the same age-old method to select the incoming top cop that's failed to clean up our police force. Why should anybody formulate well-thought-out changes we need if they probably won't be acted upon?
(b) Follow his own orders to all civil servants to be transparent, unafraid to make all processes and data available for examination. As cops tell suspects, "If you're innocent, don't hide anything." Yet when the highly respected iLaw released evidence alleging manipulation of the 2024 Senate election, Anutin insisted on a strategic lawsuit against public participation to silence iLaw rather than seeking a quick court opportunity to prove iLaw wrong. As Shakespeare would say, "The (man) doth protest too much, methinks."
Anutin, prove yourself trustworthy.
Burin Kantabutra
