Re: "Good advice, partly taken", (Editorial, Dec 31).
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should heed the words of president of the Privy Council Gen Prem Tinsulanonda -- that those who have different views are not enemies; hence they should in no way be treated as foes.
Gen Prem gained tremendous recognition and respect among Thai people when in 1988, after having served as prime minister for eight years, he relinquished the premiership to an elected civilian. That was a sacrificial as well as a selfless act.
Hence, what we Thais are pinning our hopes on is for Gen Prayut to walk in Gen Prem's footsteps in the near future.
Vint Chavala
Rights pretenders
Re: "NHRC should strive for balance", (Editorial, Dec 30).
Thailand has a ready litmus test of commitment to protecting the human rights of Thai citizens. It is the response to how the Thai law should treat those who click "like" on international news articles whose truthfulness has never been rebutted. Aspiring human rights protectors who would side with South Korea's award of the prestigious Gwangju Award for Human Rights of 2017 to the patriotic Thai citizen Jatupat Boonpatararaksa, the morally exemplary Pai Dao Din, likely put a just respect for human rights in Thailand above blind loyalty to the rule of unjust law.
In contrast, human rights pretenders who support the state locking up true Thai patriots merely because they have been labelled criminals by a morally corrupt law prove themselves fakes. A basic purpose of a human rights commission is not to blindly follow corrupt laws merely because they are the law, but to protect citizens from unjust laws whilst advocating to reform bad laws and bad customs. This fundamental protection of all citizens' basic rights is also a duty of any decent constitution, which should rule out criminal and other laws that allow human rights to be violated.
Felix Qui
Abstract Asean piece
Re: "Sizing up the year as Asean chair", (Opinion, Jan 1).
This is a typical communique from the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Where's the beef (or vegetable for vegans), Mr Don? I found the article verbose, abstract and lacking in substance. I want to know what are the "challenges of the next decade and beyond." I want specific examples of the "challenges". Is it about China encroaching on the South China Sea? Or is it about Asean being on the verge of being snared by China's debt trap, like Sri Lanka and Pakistan already have been, and Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines are eagerly waiting in line? To me, these are the challenges that Asean is facing and only Dr Mahathir is aware of (bless his heart, I wish he were our leader.)
This article is so wordy and full of gibberish that it's not even qualified to be filler. It makes a good example of "How to write a 1,000-word article without saying anything", though.
Somsak Pola
Death wish
Re: "Alcohol the worst drug", (PostBag, Jan 1).
It is high time to stop blaming beer barons, drug barons or any other types of "baron". A person should have the common sense not to binge on alcohol, and should know that drinking and driving is dangerous.
Let's stop blaming those who manufacture or sell alcohol. This is not a nanny state. Blame instead those who are stupid enough to think they are immune to death and drunkenness. Blame those who fail to educate the public to the dangers. Even this does not seem to help because the government has been lecturing the public for years on the dangers of alcohol. If someone has a death wish, fine. By all means, carry it out as long as one does not involve others in one's folly.
It is time to stop blaming others for what should be a personal concern. The government, police and army go out of their way every year to preach this but people don't listen.
Jack Gilead
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