OPINION

Problem with lies

Re: "Cops bend to royalist mob", (Editorial, Nov 13). Sadly, this is what happens when you brainwash people from the cradle to the grave, deny them access to the truth and create an unsustainable cult of personality.

The same effect characterised the cultural revolution, with the most obvious contemporary example being North Korea, where the Kim dynasty is worshipped. The police are, of course, complicit and part of the overall problem.

Re: "US ties with Asia, SE Asia, Thailand", (Opinion, Nov 13).

American foreign policy is always based on mutual benefits and strategic advantages. Hence there is no possibility of drastic policy changes or US stance in Asean. Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines do not have the same strategic alliance or importance they had during the Vietnam War. Also, many countries in the region, especially Thailand, have developed a very cosy relationship with China.

Under Mr Biden's administration, American trade with China and South China Sea issues will further escalate. As a prelude to the next election in the year 2024, America may join the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) and Paris Climate Agreement and also strengthen its ties with Nato, the IMF, the WTO and the WHO and other international bodies to exert its leverage and steer Asean away from the stranglehold of China. The handwriting is on the wall. The US will go back to strengthening its ties with Europe, Australia and traditional allies Japan, S. Korea and India to counter the rise of China. Starting in January 2021 Asian countries will have to go back to their "Look West" policies.

The Scandinavian democrat takes a rather pessimistic attitude in his letter the "Wrong Time", Nov 11. The students and Thanathorn may be idealistic but maybe this is the right time for a dose of idealism. I think the Thais have learned some hard lessons and see that this is the right time to fight for a truly democratic society. Prayut stepping down would be a powerful symbolic victory if it came about. The next leader would have to be carefully selected, otherwise he/she is likely to be rejected. The charter rewrite, however, is the important point. I think the idealists have been very strategic, putting things on the agenda never seen before, initiating public conversations never had before. Thanathorn's political strategies were unbelievably successful, not least of all being seen as a giant threat to the regime. He has not disappeared from the scene and the students are not going to disappear anytime soon. It's a fight to the death of democracy or the regime.

The Scandinavian democrat mentions plutocratic and nepotistic practices of the Thaksin Shinawatra regime (I always abhorred Thaksin for his power and money greed, so I am not speaking for him) but what would you call the composition of the existing Senate? I would say that nothing was ever so plutocratic and nepotistic. Now we have a few billionaire families swirling around the generals and "populist" policies are being replaces by "billionairist" policies.

The Thaksin parties won election after election because their policies favoured the lower-income sections of society, but with narrowing margins because many people got disappointed by his power plays. I am quite certain that in the blocked election (by Suthep Thaugsuban's People's Democratic Reform Committee, PDRC) they would not have had a majority anymore. At that time some parts of the red shirts and Pheu Thai wanted to distance themselves from Thaksin and create their own people's movement. At the same time progressive Democrats were willing to cooperate with progressive parts of Pheu Thai. That was a real danger to Suthep and the generals. I think that was one reason for them stepping in. Anyhow the usual suspects for vote buying are exactly the politicians who now support Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Will we go back to corruption, plutocracy and nepotism? We are in the very middle of it. I do not think it could be worse.

What we need is a total reset/reboot of the system. Throw out all the arbitrary laws of the last few years (including the constitution -- what does a referendum mean when you are not allowed to campaign against it? Let the existing government under a civilian leader who is accepted by everybody -- a kind of Anand -- administer the country (administer, not introduce any important policy changes) for about six months. During this time start an open discussion about any subject (also the monarchy) in which all groups of society can participate without intimidation and harassment. Then organise a new election with all parties, including the recently abolished ones. I think this is workable if the conservatives accept that other groups in society also have a right to their voice.

I believe in the people more than in generals.

Re: "Russian influence still there", (PostBag, Nov 1).

"A careful reader" is either inattentive, careless or brainwashed. There was no theory in my earlier text. The accusations of the so-called Russian actions in 2016 he is referring to have never been corroborated with reliable, substantial and unequivocal evidence. The official FBI investigation found no collusion with Russia.

It is unclear what exactly "has been attempted" in 2020. Every internet-savvy user can now easily find all sorts of Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts that some call divisive, deluded or biased. A truly careful reader would quickly find no shortage of content that supports Biden too. Does this mean Russia is behind it too?

"A careful reader" must come to terms with the reality that America is today divided as never before in modern history. The source of this division lies inside the nation, not outside of it. There are plenty of forces within the US that spare no efforts to push their candidate for victory. And with Twitter blatantly censoring Trump by deleting some of his tweets it is actually not so obvious which of the two sides is more aggressive in pursuing their agenda. I remember the days when this abundance of different information and opposing viewpoints was proudly called freedom of speech. Now some left-leaning media have degraded it to Russian propaganda. With all the damage that Trump did to US-Russia relations, to keep insisting Russia is interested in him winning the elections is naive indeed. As I said before -- and no matter what ostensibly careful readers think -- the fate of America lies in the hands of the American people.

Sing Muse, the hero, Who rose from Scranton's scruffy streets and gained the presidential power despite the Trumpster's noxious tweets. Rebuffed now is the mighty mouth that once spewed toxins o'er the land. Joe Biden vaults to victory, His triumph well in hand. As Cincinnatus spurned retirement to save the Roman state, So now with noble Biden, who braved the Trumpists' hate. Let's hear it now for Biden, and Kamala Harris too. They've saved US democracy to the relief of me and you.

Re: "Thailand digital hub status within reach", (BP, Nov 12).

I can hardly wait for Thailand to achieve its ambition to become the digital hub of Asia.

My two Thai driving licences (motorbike and car) are due for renewal and following instructions to have my Thai home address verified before proceeding to apply for new licences, I presented myself at Immigration Division One, Chaeng Watthana to obtain a letter to take to the licence renewal office.

Upon arrival I was politely told that I was in the wrong place and needed to go to the temporary visa centre at Muang Thong Thani.

After completing the required form and cobbling together the obligatory passport copy and entry card I was ushered in to see the officer.

Now here's where it really turned into an experience I hadn't expected:

The officer observed that I was due to complete my 90-day report and asked if I would like to do that along with applying for the address verification letter.

When I told him that I had already completed the the 90-day report online that same morning and I was awaiting approval, he passed me over to another officer who also proceeded to check the paperwork and told me I would need two address verification letters, one for the car and one for the motorbike, each costing 200 baht.

It would also take, wait for it, two weeks for me to receive them.

My driving licences' renewal experience has still got legs. My next stop is my local hospital for a health report and after that the licence centre itself. From start to finish I expect to have spent two whole days just to renew a driving licence. Thailand 4.0 can't come soon enough for me.

Oh! I forgot to mention. Two weeks ago I renewed my UK driving licence and yes, you guessed it, it took me 10 minutes to complete online.