OPINION

It could be worse

Re: “Dodgy Figures", PostBag, July 15.

Eric Bahrt thinks that Thais are too terrified to tell the truth during poll taking. Polls are usually conducted randomly, on major streets, and participants are not asked for their names, only their opinions.

By contrast, if some of the letters printed in Postbag with so many vituperative and seditious comments were to be printed in the United States, the FBI would become immediately involved in investigating the writers. I hope that takes care of Eric’s first question. Regarding his second question — would low ratings and negative opinions also be published? Yes, certainly. People have made it loud and clear when they are not satisfied as well.

This could not happen in today’s Cambodia or Myanmar, where, during my last visit, I was cautioned by my hosts not to say anything negative because teachers debriefed students on what they heard at home. “Big Brother” is still monitoring its citizenry.

Golani

Re: “It’s not just media help premier needs”, Opinion, July 14.

I agree with Atiya Achakulwisut that the government and the media have different roles to play. In fact, the role of the media is to keep a check on the government’s administration of the country.

Hence, when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha uttered the words: “The media has to help me” — that raised eyebrows in society.

My opinion is the government needs the media and vice versa. The government’s job will be much easier if it can communicate effectively with and through the media.

Gen Prayut should bear in mind that his weekly talk with the people on TV would be much more successful with the help of the press in relaying his message to the public. I, for one, do not watch the programme because there’s no fun in it.

In the final analysis, utilising diplomatic finesse seems to be the only way if the government wants to achieve its much-desired goal.

Vint Chavala

What this country needs, more than reform or "good people" or "military avuncular supervision", is a good international public relations firm.

Someone to advise on how negatively we are portrayed to the world when our navy slaps defamation charges on the press, or asylum seekers are sent packing, or Rohingya pushed back out to sea or revelations of human trafficking networks emerge.

We need to count the cost in lost goodwill to our precious tourism and export industries every time the jetski scams are exposed or rogue police extort tourists, or shrimp are exported off the back of slave labour, or round-the-world-cyclist murderers get off the hook, or deadly nightclub blazes go unprosecuted and beach murders turn farcical.

This all makes great news fodder around the world, perpetually denting Thailand’s reputation in a global village to which this country depends so heavily for business. Will someone please tell our dear leader how bad this all looks from the outside?

Andrew

Re “We need tough leader,” PostBag, July 14

When the takeover took place I remember thinking wouldn’t it be great if the US could do the same thing. Thailand and America are two very different countries with very different problems. I have seen Thailand’s ups and downs since 2004 and believe the current political situation has been the most stable.

Military coups are never popular but I must say I am impressed. Thanks for being Thailand, and thank you Max for recognising government when it works. Can’t wait to breathe the sensible air of Thailand again.

Theodore Carl Soderberg

Did anyone at the Bangkok Post see the irony in publishing the story “Paiboon asks France to deport [lese majeste] fugitives” on Bastille Day (July 14)?

George Rothschild

Sanitsuda Ekachai’s weekly commentaries should be published as a book and also a Thai language translation copy which would be required and mandatory reading for certain individuals and groups.

She understands the Thai people, Buddhism, Thai history and contemporary culture, the Islamic situation in the three southern provinces, the monarchy, and the progressive hope of individuals and humanity.

Dr Tom

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