Re: No bliss but less stress (PostBag, Oct 28).
I thank Kantanit Sukontasap for taking the trouble to write such a thoughtful and comprehensive response to my comments on the state of affairs in Thailand. Whilst I am sure that corruption among politicians of all colours, and a flawed democratic system, were largely responsible for the latest military coup, the question Thai people need to ask themselves must go deeper than that, to hopefully uncover the fundamental factors which cause corruption, and not just in the political sphere.
Of course corruption is not exclusive to Thailand, but it is particularly prevalent and persistent here. The "Groundhog Day" cycle of failed administrations and recurring military coups needs to be ended once and for all if Thailand is to achieve its full potential, and build on the really impressive progress which I have witnessed during the several decades that I have been resident here.
Despite my previously expressed reservations, I respect Mr Kantanit's confidence in the current government, and like everyone else who wishes Thailand well, I sincerely hope that time will prove his confidence to have been fully justified.
Robin Grant
Beware the knock
I read Kantanit Sukontasap's long letter a few times before daring to make a comment but I feel someone must. I am pleased that he finds current conditions less stressful and more pleasant than he did under previous "democratic" governments. I am sure many others feel the same. However, Kantanit is maybe lucky that in his present lifestyle he has not come up against the problems that many, not so fortunate people, have experienced. One only has to read Sanitsuda Ekachai's articles to know that a large number of poor Thai citizens have fallen foul of the harsh rules now applied by the military government.
In addition to these reports there are grave concerns for the direction Thailand is taking from both Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights and iLaw. Both profess extreme concern over arbitrary arrests, persecution of government critics, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. In addition the UN working group on arbitrary arrests has found Thailand failing to honour the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights that it has signed. A much mentioned problem is the power to issue law and order without public participation and the increase of military power in the justice process.
Like Kantanit, I also have no reason to think I am at risk but don't feel that's a good enough reason not to hope for better. With the Computer Crimes Act being able to find almost anything it wishes to be a crime and the heavy-handed restriction whereby opposition is deemed sedition you never know when that knock is coming on the door.
Lungstib
Buddhism's virtue
I am highly moved by Kong Rithdee's excellent portrayal of the contradictions of Thai history and society (Opinion, Oct 28). Every country has its heroes and villains. History is also about smoke and mirrors used by vested interests to keep masses inundated by exaggerations and propaganda. People like Karl Marx dubbed religion as the opiate of the masses. To many millions of others, religion is like a painkiller which helps them to deal with the pain and sufferings of life. Highly ritualised practices are big constraints in developing a better understanding of Buddha's teachings.
One of the distinguishing and a very unique feature of Buddhism is that it emphasises the cultivation of the mind-the intellect, reasoning, and self-awareness.
In Buddha's own words, "We are what we think, all that we are arises with our thoughts, with our thoughts, we make the world." He further said, "Rule your mind or it will rule you."
Kuldeep Nagi
Contact: Bangkok Post Building
136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110
fax: +02 6164000 Email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th
All letter writers must provide full name and address.
All published correspondence is subject to editing at our discretion.
