Thailand News - Perspective - Sunday December 09, 2007
POSTBAG
Voice of the poor is being ignored
E-mail: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th / Snail mail: 136 Na Ranong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
I would like to thank "Farang Who Knows Too Much", who wrote "What's so bad about populism?" in Postbag, 2 December, 2007. This question has had a major impact on my opinion of Thai politics and society, especially in regard to the relationship between the privileged and the underprivileged.
Since last year, I have heard and read numerous negative opinions and comments about Thaksin's populist policies from various media and from many individuals. Everyone told me every day how bad each policy was. I was suspicious of what the media reported, so I just listened and read as much as possible. Then I asked myself : "What's wrong with policies for an education fund, medical care, etc?" Most people need these types of programmes to survive in these days when the gap between the haves and the have-nots is growing ever wider.
A small elite group in Thai society which includes the middle class don't require want these basic necessities and are enjoying their privileges while criticising the needs of the poor.
However, the voice of the small group is louder and seems to sound better than the voice of the poor, who will never have any opportunity to better their lives if their basic needs are ignored.
AN ORDINARY THAI
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A lucrative sacrifice
After reading the letter from "Farang Who Knows Too Much," I think it may be necessary to declare martial law in response to the growing wave of foreigners coming here to woo away our northeastern daughters. As "Farang" asks, how many more daughters of the nation must grow up with the idea that they must marry a foreigner in order to have "a good life," and to alleviate the plight of their families?
I thank "Farang" for his heart-felt concern over the "sacrifice" that our Isan daughters are making while "retailing their honour in the capital." Curiously, he does not mention our Isan sons.
Most of these "retail women" seem quite comfortable in their chosen profession, earning between 30,000-400,000 a month or more, driving expensive cars, shopping daily, travelling, and not paying taxes. Sacrifice indeed!
I can hardly feel sorry for them when nurses and factory workers make less than 8,000 baht a month. And this is not exclusive to Isan, or to Thailand either.
Regarding the remittance-dependant families, I agree. It is "doubly apparent where a farang spouse is in the picture." However, in a decent family, rich or poor, Thai or foreigner, the husband is not seen as a cash cow.
Moreover, his assertion that "before Thaksin, no one paid attention to the poor in the provinces" is ridiculous. I can think of numerous politicians that have, but undeniably Thaksin wins top spot for promoting himself as the champion of the northeastern poor. It's clear that Thaksin and most of the TRT party care only about themselves, not for the poor, and not for Thailand in general.
His conspiracy theory on the eviction of Thaksin comes across as childish and simplistic, as the reasons for his ouster were complex and didn't come down to a single unified reason (other than the sum of his misdeeds catching up on him).
"Farang" is trying to promote populism regardless of whether the policy is wrong or not.
SUPACHOK CHATTANUCHAI
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The same Olmert
Another lovely speech by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about how much he wants peace (Guest Column, 2 Dec 2007). For a moment I even found myself thinking that maybe he means it. But then the thought occurred to me that no where in his speech did he mention that he has no intention of dismantling all the Jewish settlements - even if doing so would result in lasting peace. Nor did he mention that about a year ago he even gave the go-ahead to expand Jewish settlements.
This is the same Olmert who, in response to the kidnapping of three Israeli soldiers, invaded Lebanon and killed innocent civilians while accomplishing absolutely nothing (not even the release of the soldiers).
Yasser Arafat was often accused of saying one thing to the international press while saying something totally different to his domestic supporters. Clearly the same can be said about Olmert.
So far there is no evidence that he or George Bush are going to do much more than pay lip service to the cause of peace.
ERIC BAHRT
Pattaya
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Call for solidarity on Palestinian issue
In his Soul Searching column of 25 November 2007, Imtiaz Muqbil made some very good points about the latest charade promoted as a genuine peace process in Annapolis, Maryland. Those of us who want to see real justice in the Middle East and who have followed all the so-called peace processes during the years know all too painfully that the US and Israel have no serious intention whatsoever of giving the Palestinians anything of real value. They never have.
The idea is that it'll all pan out to look like the Palestinians "once again" have scuttled any peace process. The talk is all about the compromises that have to be made from both sides. That cannot be true. How much more should, or can, the Palestinians compromise? The fact that Israel is there at all is a major compromise from the very beginning!
Mr Muqbil mentioned the screening of the documentary The Iron Wall at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand on 26 November, 2007, which was a very successful event in presenting a horrible reality that the world has, far too often, turned a blind eye to.
Willie Madisha, head of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, wrote after a visit to the area last year, "The horrendous dehumanisation of black South Africans during the erstwhile apartheid years is a Sunday picnic compared with what I saw and know is happening to the Palestinian people."
There are a lot of individuals, both Thais and foreigners, in this country who are disgusted by what is the neglect of the rightful claims of the Palestinians to their homeland and their basic human rights. They are angry at the vicious treatment meted out to a whole people who, through no fault of their own, have been made to suffer because they have, essentially, been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Now, those individuals have a chance to stand up and be counted and do something concrete to help.
As a follow-up to the event at the FCCT, a Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) Thailand is being formed. All concerned individuals are invited to an open meeting on Monday 10 December at 7 p.m., Amari Boulevard Hotel (opposite Foodland), room Panorama 3, Sukhumvit Soi 5, BTS Nana. If you're interested but cannot come please contact us at palestinesolidaritythailand@gmail.com.
Stuart Ward
PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN (PSC) THAILAND
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Divers not the problem in aquatic parks
I was happy to read that the amount of visitors to national parks will finally be limited. Thailand has beautiful and unique national parks, but they cannot sustain the ever-growing number of visitors.
However, I would like to refute the common claim that diving and snorkelling in Similan and Surin national parks are detrimental to the environment. From my experience as a dive industry professional working on several different Similan dive boats, I can claim that divers in general are very protective of the reef and marine life and furthermore are exceptionally environmentally aware. The problem in the Similan and Surin parks is not diving, it is illegal fishing and the inability or unwillingness of the park rangers to enforce the laws.
Fishing is banned in Similan and Surin national parks, however fishing boats are constantly seen in and around the parks. When diving, one can often find nets stuck to reefs and illegal fishing traps. Park rangers are posted on several islands but seem to be little interested in anything beyond collecting the national park fees, which have to be paid in cash.
Consequently, corruption is ripe. About 2 weeks ago the rangers suddenly increased the Surin National Park fee to 600 baht per person, from 400 baht, with no prior announcement, and posted a patrol boat at Richelieu Rock to collect the fees.
I have not seen them make any effort in inspecting the numerous fishing boats moored around Richelieu Rock, although their patrol boat hovers around there all day, every day.
This season many illegal fishing traps have been found outside the most common divesites, suggesting the fishermen are betting on divers not venturing off the known divesites. The fishing traps seem to be overly abundant around Koh Bon and Koh Ta Chai. Koh Ta Chai has a ranger station but I have never seen them out on a patrol, not to mention making inspection dives to check for illegal fishing traps.
We dive industry professionals are willing to report and document through pictures and videos these illegal actions and would ask the National Parks Department to provide us with a hotline phone number and contact information to help put a stop to illegal fishing.
The rangers posted in the Similan and Surin national parks have all the tools and equipment needed to enforce the laws and to protect this exceptionally beautiful part of Thailand. All it takes is the will to do it.
JACK DOE
Phuket
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A Christmas wish
In 1223, St Francis of Assisi simply and joyfully commemorated the scene of the nativity according to the gospel, and the crib thus became one of the traditional and best-loved symbols of Christmas. In the crib we contemplate the One who stripped himself of divine glory in order to become poor, driven by love for mankind. Beside the crib, the Christmas tree, with its twinkling lights, reminds us that with the birth of Jesus the tree of life has blossomed anew in the desert of humanity. The crib and the tree: precious symbols, which hand down in time the true meaning of Christmas!
Today, amid a consumerist Christmas attitude, we are allowing ourselves to be stripped of our traditions, the dearest and most venerable, the oldest and sweetest, the truest and most beautiful, so that carelessly, through neglect, we are abandoning Christ to follow the latest futile fad.
A sensitive Christian would not let anything replace the crib and the Christmas tree. Commemorating these means passing on the history of popular piety and religiosity.
Putting up the crib and Christmas tree in homes and public places, not in a folkloric manner but as symbols of faith, prayer and offering, means rediscovering joy and the solidarity of friendship, the human tenderness of relations and the piety of souls of enchanted children and adults.
In advancement of faith, family and fraternity may we all strive to keep Christ in Christmas!
PAUL KOKOSKI
Ontario, Canada
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Cheers for innovative concept
I wholeheartedly endorse the "School-Based Management" concept envisioned by Dr Somkiat Chobphol, deputy secretary-general of the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec), to enhance the accelerated learning potential of gifted students, to organise support for improved allocation of resources and to expand skills development options for proven effective topnotch model schools.
This same type of progressive, innovative thinking should be extended to maximise self-access discovery experiences at magnet-style IT computer enrichment centres, with local officials, educators, parents and students cooperatively participating in needs assessment, decision-making, long-range planning and establishing viable priorities which best serve to create civic-minded future leaders.
DR CHANCHAI PRASERTSON
Bangkok
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Park fees still subject of controversy
It was interesting to read that national park fees have been reduced for foreigners. Furthermore, your report mentions that Mu Koh Surin park fees remain at 400 baht. This is not correct. Since early morning of Nov 18, 2007 the Surin national park fee was increased from 400 to 600 baht with no prior notice. This seems to be quite the opposite what the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department is trying to do. It also raises questions about who authorised this 50% increase in fees.
I would like to ask the department what is the official entrance fee for foreigners to Mu Koh Surin national park and if it is indeed 400 baht, what to do when Rangers demanding a 600 baht fee?
JOHN D
Phuket
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Often no alternatives to motorcycles
I fully agree with many commentators that the styles of driving motorbikes are worth to be reconsidered although the rules are already existing.
First of all, the obligation of wearing helmets and its surveillance. Most deaths result from driving without them.
Second, the underage driving. Children are dexterous in riding but green in experience and ignorant of dangers.
Third, the drunk driving - no need to clarify.
Fourth, the missing lights, especially at the tail.
Then all the rest: mobiles, cigarettes, umbrellas, shopping bags, chain saws.
However, can any commentator please tell us how parents should take their babies and small children somewhere?
Don't forget that most of the population can't afford to own a car. So how should they do? Stay at home? Leave their children behind? How to see a doctor anytime?
Meter taxis are expensive, and passenger buses do not come regularly. Families and friends with cars are rare and often not willing.
What are the actual alternatives?
It's easy to condemn, especially when you're not in need.
S.T.
Koh Samui
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