OPINION

Education priority

Re: "'Back of the Class' graphic", (BP, March 22). The Bangkok Post graphics frequently shake up one's fixed thoughts. From the latest graphic of the World Population Review ranking the education of 203 countries, there are the following shocking and surprising revelations.

Among the world's top ten countries is Slovenia, which is fifth. Formerly part of Yugoslavia, it gained its independence in 1991. There must be many things happening right there.

Thailand ranks in the world's middle range (107th out of 203) and near the bottom among 10 Asean countries at 8th, just beating Myanmar and Cambodia, while Laos beats us at 7th among Asean and 102nd in the world.

An impressive country in education improvement is Vietnam, ranked third in Asean and 53rd in the world. Now, one can surely expect Vietnam to bypass us in the economic rankings in the near future. Isn't it there that there is capital punishment for corruption?

It is education that tells us what not to accept, what is wrong, and to promote what is right and not to bear the unbearable. Nelson Mandela put it so rightly that "Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world".

One can only hope that in the no-confidence debate against PM Paetongtarn in parliament, there could be some indication from the debate that challenges Thailand's poor ranking in the World Population Review findings.

Idealism delusions

Re: "Earth needs laws", (PostBag, March 21).

When the well-intentioned Hans van Willenswaard writes that I have a regular need to release my "hilariously stubborn 'climate denial' rage", he is resorting to personal disparagement rather than examining the factual basis for the "climate change" narrative. His consistent use of the collective "we" rather than "I" can be understood as an unconscious confession of his cult affiliations.

This is the problem with idealism; it is inconsistent with evolution writ large in our body-minds, and thus, it always fails. When Mr van Willenswaard imagines his do-good approach to life is a genuine embrace of Eastern philosophy, he is deluding himself. The Judeo-Christian worldview characteristically seeks to make the world a better place by doing something to control it, to make it safe and thus alleviate fear. It is the Eastern view that seeks to escape the world by following the ascending current of the body-mind and entering subtler dimensions to escape the fear that reality presents. Both views are false and dependent upon the ancient traditions of mankind. Our challenge is to truly become human through the harmonious integration of both hemispheres.

Censure concerns

Re: "Questionable governance", (PostBag, March 24) and "Premier laments debate timing", (BP, March 22).

Burin Kantabutra is justifiably worried whether the current censure debate might not lead to any substantial change in the government administration. He also provides recommendations. These eight pillars are consensus, effectiveness and efficiency, equity and inclusiveness, responsiveness, participation, accountability, transparency, and rule of law. Needless to say, any crisis in government stems from a lack of transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability.

CONTACT: