OPINION

Prison ills

Re: "Indigenous rights bill languishes," (Editorial, Aug 21).

As an American ex-pat, I lived in northernmost Thailand for over 20 years. Most of my friends there were hilltribe villagers who have been treated like second-class citizens.

In regard to prison populations, the situation remains despicable. Prisons in northern Thailand are over-crowded with over 90% hilltribe vilagers, and 90% of those are there for victimless and/or petty "crimes." Sentencing is draconian.

One example: 28 years for getting caught with a single speed pill in one's pocket.

It's un-Buddhist to lock people up for decades for petty reasons. Thai authorities (politicians, jurists/judges, police) in that realm are un-Buddhist in their actions.

Mutual back-slap

Re: "Premier welcomes new Myanmar envoy," (BP, Aug 23).

Today's story of PM Prayut welcoming the latest envoy of the murderous Myanmar regime was a disgusting display of mutual back slapping.

And not a word of the continuing slaughter and suppression of Myanmar's own citizens by the thugs of the Tatmadaw.

Asean hypocrisy

Re: "Premier welcomes new Myanmar envoy," (BP, Aug 23).

The photo-op and meeting with the ambassador of Myanmar exemplifies the glaring hypocrisy of the Asean nations. A proper response to the situation in Myanmar would be to truly "isolate" the country. All borders closed and economic trade halted. Humanitarian aid can be given if the humanitarian organisation itself disperses the aid directly to the people.

For example, not delivering tonnes of rice to the military to be hoarded and kept from the people. It seems, though, that Asean nations are afraid to "throw stones in a glass house".

Stubborn curse

Re: "Groups rally against PM over his eight-year tenure," (BP, Aug 23).

There can be no doubt the PM's preferred fortune teller will be up to the task of averting the "ritual to put a curse on military dictators" that the protesters have invoked.

It is less obvious that the curse recorded by history as being brought down by himself on the opponents of democracy for Thais will be so easily deflected. He might show a little more concern for those caught up in that judgement of his acts, which will not be forever held back, no matter how many fortune tellers are called upon.

Graduate blues

Re: "Graduate roles mired in confusion," (Opinion, Aug 22).

What Mr Carrera experienced at a Thai job fair is quite common. Supervisors in the private and public sectors have something in common. They are appointed by the patronage system and cronyism is rampant in Thai culture.

The government agencies that run higher education also suffer from the same disease. Those in charge have no clue what is required to succeed. The liaison between academia and the industry is just on paper. I have not seen any public or private sector entity coming to hire students while they are still in college. For most students, job fairs are hit-and-miss. The industry's lack of active participation and liaison with universities produce graduates with worthless degrees.