OPINION

Mirage of hope

Re: “Approval rating hoax?” BP, July 14

Letter writer Tony S raises a good question. He should know that it is not just Thailand but all countries around its borders that have something in common — kingdoms, authoritarian regimes, feudal societies and military dictatorships.

And of course, most of the leaders who are running the show enjoy high approval ratings. For most of the past century people in this region have grown up seeing brutal wars, torture, social upheavals and economic turmoil. It is a common legacy.

In the past 50 years, improvements in communication, travel and trade have brought a few changes.

Not to say that every nation in the region aspires to become a democracy, but all of them want more foreign investment, know-how and better quality of life for their people. Not all of them compete for social and political values.

As far as the approval rating is concerned, who will dare to say the coup is the worst thing that has happened to Thailand. It has happened in the past and this one was no surprise — people saw it coming.

Look at Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam and you will find that leaders in these countries also enjoy high ratings. The same is true in China, except for people in Hong Kong who are struggling with their British legacy. In Thailand, as the ratings go up after every coup, so too does the mirage of hope in the shadow of despair. Approval ratings are like beauty — it is in the eyes of the beholder, especially those who cannot see far.

Kuldeep Nagi

I have two questions to ask in regard to the prime minister’s “high approval” ratings (PostBag, July 14). First, can we give any credibility to an opinion poll that is taken in a country that is run by a junta?

Wouldn’t many Thais be terrified, regardless of what assurances the pollster gives, of getting in trouble if they say they are unhappy with the current leadership? If I was a Thai with a family to support I’d be scared to death.

But even if we assume the polls accurately reflect the opinion of the public, the opposition has no opportunity to give their side. So the public — especially if they get their “news” from television — only hear one opinion. Is that fair?

Eric Bahrt

Re: “Debasing the US TIP report,” Opinion, July 14.

Thank you for pointing out the obvious that the US Trafficking in Persons Report is very political. Clearly America’s friends get the soft ball while others struggle with TIP demands.

Next how about speaking up about the tendency to sensationalise trafficking and its conflation with sex work. Without a string of lurid stories America’s criminal justice demands cannot be sustained.

John Kane

It is encouraging to read, “Thai team to check status of deported Uighurs,” (BP, July 14). Does this mean the Thai team will take up permanent residence in China? We all know how the Chinese love showmanship and presentation.

It is similar to those fake, wooden village facades the Russians put up when Catherine the Great rode past in her carriage.

Kletzeleh

It now appears civil servants and government officials might receive the death penalty if convicted of high-end corruption (BP, July 14). What took previous Thai governments so long to pass this draconian law?

Prior to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, government officials from ministers down to lowly clerks were not only accepting, but demanding tea money as well. In China this law was actually quite successful and their figures show a great reduction in corruption.

Perhaps the law could be extended to those, high and low, civilian and military, who squander taxpayers' money on stupid projects like submarines, airships, worthless mine detectors, and whatever else is lurking, waiting to come out.

David James Wong

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