I read with some concern the Jan 24 political letter in the Bangkok Post which was titled ''My spoof Democrat letter''.
I have no opinion on the politics that the letter was dealing with, but I do believe that the word ''spoof'' has not been used correctly. The letter is a political parody, not a spoof.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines spoof as a deception or hoax or a light-natured parody.
The etymology of the word comes from a good-natured hoaxing game played in pubs for over 100 years.
In spoofing, players aim to spoof their opponents to avoid paying for the round of drinks.
Spoof requires players be of good nature and humour at all times.
The oldest school of spoofing in Asia is right here in Bangkok, hosted at the British Club on Silom Soi 18.
The Bangkok Gentlemen Spoofers have spoofed weekly for 25 years.
We also host spoofing championships annually which have collected millions of baht for charities benefiting underprivileged children in Thailand.
We meet every Tuesday evening at 8.30pm in the Churchill Bar of the British Club and all gentlemen of good nature are welcome to join in the true spirit of spoof, social intercourse and charity.
TONY RODRIGUEZ
Co-chairman, Bangkok Gentlemen Spoofers
Hunt out corruption
Re: ''Forest bosses want cop charged'' (BP, Jan 27). The Department of National Parks should be commended for taking action against a police officer allegedly caught red-handed out hunting in Kaeng Krachan National Park.
How can prosecutors drop charges against this official for lack of evidence but charge the other eight people caught with him? That is outright hypocrisy.
What has happened to Thailand? Just because he's a police officer does not entitle him to get off the hook easily.
The court needs to get tough and set a precedent so that future incidents will be handled to the fullest extent of the law and law-breakers thrown in jail.
Only then can we move forward and say we are making ground in the never-ending battle with poachers and encroachers in our national forests.
Otherwise men in uniform (both khaki and brown) will continue going out on illegal hunting trips with impunity.
NATURE LOVER
No right to judge
Re: ''Somyot handed 10 years for lese majeste'' (BP, Jan 24).
The Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International joined local rights groups in denouncing the court's decision to hand a 10-year prison sentence to Somyot Prueksakasemsuk for lese majeste. The European Union delegation to Thailand was also deeply concerned by the move. Did these organisations read the two offending articles published in Voice of Taksin magazine, one wonders? I have not, but I have faith in our judicial system which is now the only institution left that we can rely and depend on. Two other establishments, the parliament and the government, are now dead.
Every time I see people, particularly foreigners, criticising our judicial system, I'm disturbed. Don't they know that our judges deliver their sentences based on facts presented to them by the Attorney-General and police? Many of our judges were educated in the West, and received the highest degrees awarded by the best universities in the world. This brings them into line with other judicial systems around the world.
I would like to respectfully suggest that foreigners and foreign establishments who enjoy criticising our judicial system do a little more self-examination.
Thailand may not be perfect, but you only need to browse the European and American press to see the mess happening over there.
DUSIT THAMMARAKS
CONTACT: BANGKOK POST BUILDING
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