OPINION

Defining patriotism

Re: "New charter may not be democra-tic", (BP, Dec 10).

As Constitution Day again rolls around, what do Thailand's constitutions tell us about the kingdom? The current and previous permanent constitutions of the Thai nation explicitly define Thailand as having "a democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State" (Section 2 of the 2017 constitution).

This fact tells us that those who make up these constitutions, or at whose behest they are made up, feel the need to at least pay lip service to the democratic aspirations of the Thai nation, which is the Thai people, to whom, so it is written, "sovereign power belongs" (Section 3 of the 2017 constitution).

Since it is acknowledged in its supreme rule of law that the Kingdom of Thailand is and desires to be a democracy, "one and indivisible" (Section 1 of the current constitution), those who would claim the mantle of patriot must, at a very minimum, respect these primary principles explicitly set out at the head of each Thai constitution.

The protesters bravely taking a stand on the streets qualify as Thai patriots: there is no doubt that they share the Thai nation's aspirations for the justice that comes only from democracy.

Conversely, could anyone who sees democracy as inimical to their own selfish interests, even to thwarting or colluding to thwart the Thai nation's just aspirations for democracy, qualify as a Thai patriot? You cannot overthrow the defining rule of law of a nation and pretend to respect its highest ideals as written in that constitution.

Well, perhaps you can so violate the nation's deepest wishes whilst loudly protesting loyal friendship, but can such a claim be credited where honest reason is permitted?

Only in the land of 2+2=5 could such a deceit thrive. You might as rationally hold that suppressing free speech is a cure for corruption.

Is it any wonder that the constitution has always been part and parcel of the country's political crises when there is total disregard for its contents by the powers that be? The possible drafting of another charter if successful will only be seen as fair when transparency in its execution is on top of the agenda.

Your Dec 9 news report saying that Thai senators "hit back at their counterparts" in the US Senate over their recent resolution concerning Thailand shows a complete lack of understanding of the word counterparts.

The Thai Senate is an appointed group of military selected persons. In the US the senators, almost exactly the same number from two parties, have each been duly elected and fought a battle for their seat based on deeply held beliefs.

Thai senators are certainly not counterparts.

Re: "Open to tourist trickle", (PostBag, Dec 10).

It is the same old story. Thailand wants to keep its cake, and eat it at the same time.

You cannot have it both ways. Sorry boys, that's just the way it is.