Re: "Songkran exacts its yearly toll in souls, (BP, April 18).
Obviously Thailand, like many countries, has a lot of alcohol-related problems.
There seems to be quite a few upmarket rehab centres, but not many centres run by experienced professionals that are affordable to the Thai working class or middle class. A cold turkey detox in a temple may be better than nothing but it is just a temporary band aid and only scratches the surface of the problem. Apart from breathalysers, and better law enforcement, the root causes of these problems need to be better addressed and financed. It could save a lot of lives.
Sam
Let them live
Re: "Morality of our rights," (PostBag, April 16).
I must thank Felix for sharing his excellent insight into the teaching of Lord Buddha. The first precept of Buddhism is "refrain from killing living creatures." Thailand in many ways seems to have drifted away from this first and most important precept. It is rather paradoxical that we call ourselves more superior than other creatures in spite of engaging in killing, stealing, lying, intoxication and accumulating money through corruption and abuse of power. And we still see ourselves as an animal species that deserves better than other creatures. In the end, all human beings, the rich, the poor and the powerful, meet the same fate as other creatures. The end is reached with degradation, death and decay. In the case of Buddhists, they will all end up as 3 kilogrammes of ash. Sadly, the ash has no distinct quality, even if it is put in a bejewelled urn. Human beings have also invented ways to exploit their faith and religion to remain immortal by hook or crook.
In a nutshell, for creating a better living environment and a civilised society we all should refer to the five precepts of Buddhism as guiding principles. Immortality is only attained by the enlightened ones. Paying serious attention to one's behaviour and lifestyle is the first step in that direction.
Kuldeep Nagi
Slaughterhouse shock
Quite apart from the appalling cruelty involved in the raising and slaughtering of animals for our consumption the Thai animal farming business makes no economic or environmental sense. It is a ludicrous exercise whereby the animals occupy a huge amount of land and related facilities and require massive quantities of food, only to then be killed to satisfy our degenerate appetites. Not only a horribly barbaric exercise but also extremely stupid.
I should add that some years ago I visited a modern slaughterhouse having been told that I would be impressed by the high-tech nature of the operation. It was, in fact, far and away the worst experience of my 77-year lifetime. I have witnessed a fair amount of death and destruction in various parts of the world but the awful memory of that day will haunt me forever. Human beings should be able to do better than this.
Bob Terry
Greedy monk
Having passed a temple, replete with glittering neon signs and a monk at the microphone extolling people to donate for Songkran and receive a blessing, I thought I'd stop by.
The monk was telling people that the greater the donation, the more effective the blessing and better luck for the New Year. I got in line waiting my turn. Those in front of me held 100-baht and 1,000-baht banknotes. My hand held only a twenty.
When it came my turn to be blessed and sprinkled with holy water, the monk looked at me with contempt and went on to the next person as if I did not exist. It reminded me of the popes in the Middle Ages who sold indulgences, the greater the sum paid, the less fearful one was of descending to Hell.
Then I wondered, how much of this collected money was going to be used to help those in my area in need, feed the poor, help educate kids or help pay for school uniforms, help the elderly, and be put to other useful purposes. Probably little to nothing. The monks in this temple live very well indeed. Then I read the letter on morality. I could not stop laughing. It is an amusing way to end Songkran.
Feh!
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