OPINION

Clash of opinions

Re: "Thaksin's influence no longer potent", (Opinion, April 1). I disagree with columnist Veera Prateepchaikul on two points. First, the convict Thaksin Shinawatra does remain influential: he powerfully taints every figure and institution that recklessly associates itself with him; that is a potent influence.

Second, should the Constitutional Court go to the legally blessed extreme of disbanding Move Forward for that party's alleged offence, that will only confirm for yet more voters that every one of Move Forward's raft of progressive policies is exactly what Thailand needs today and has urgently needed for many decades; the reincarnated party will likely start with outright majority support.

A decision by the judicial institutes set up by Prayut Chan-o-cha will expose the old guard so thoroughly that it will smash whatever vestigial respect some might still have had for its icons.

Beyond labels

Re: "No prejudice here", (PostBag, March 31).

I'm sorry that Ellis O'Brien has taken my remarks so personally.

My point was that being gay or lesbian is not a trendy or currently fashionable thing to do, and to suggest that an increasing number of young Thais are choosing to identify as other than straight does suggest a degree of prejudice, however unconscious.

Unfortunately, Khun Ellis's reaction to my letter does little to allay that impression. His description of my support for the alternate-gender community as "woke" is revealing. This silly vogue word suggests he is antagonistic to my views, which he presumably sees as dangerously liberal.

It doesn't help that his defence against any suggestion he is homophobic is along the lines of "some of my best friends are black".

Khun Ellis needs to tell us he gets on well with a gay brother-in-law who has done prison time but has now come good and holds down a paid job; he suggests he sees this as an unusual outcome for somebody who probably quite happily self-identifies as katoey or ladyboy.

Though my instinct was to let Khun Ellis' letter pass without comment, I think it is important that tolerance of sexual diversity should be more than just lip service. The Thai government is to be congratulated for having recently passed legislation to remove limitations on social benefits for same-sex relationships, but we have to keep in mind that the LGBTQ community is still subject to harsh discrimination in many countries.

As with racism, we have to be vigilant that we don't allow casual bias to control our view of the world around us.

Survival tips, please

Re: "Time to stop making empty promises", (Opinion, March 7).

Economist/columnist Chartchai Parasuk has gone on record during the last year or so saying that the Thai economy is in dire shape and on the verge of collapse; and his most recent column is no exception.

That being the case, it would be useful for him to provide normal people with advice here as to how they can best mitigate the coming crisis.