re: "Cops red-faced as scandals rock force" (BP, February 13, 2023)
Dear editor,
It is sad to read yet again of "further blows to public confidence in the Royal Thai Police (RTP)," but the consequent "increased pressure for long overdue reform" is surely a most inappropriate response to the latest round of scandals, being seriously at odds with traditional Thai social norms. The Royal Thai Police have held a special place in Thai society for many generations, and that must be respected, not overthrown with knee jerk reactions to reform.
The obvious solution to all such embarrassing truth speaking that comes from free speech is simply to criminalize all such rude speech. Problem solved: no more embarrassing news headlines, no more offensive social media commentary, and no more public stains on the immaculate reputation of a duly respected Thai institution. A few hot heads might need to be arrested and given hefty prison sentences strictly in accord with the law, but that is surely a small price to pay to maintain an unsullied image of which the nation can be proud.
Have draconian punishments for truth seeking or speaking, let alone recklessly peaceful expression of honest opinion, ever failed to protect an unquestionably deserved reputation?
Felix Qui
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The above letter to the editor is the text as submitted by Felix Qui to the Bangkok Post.
The text as edited was published in PostBag on February 15, 2023, under the title "Knee-jerk reaction" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2506844/an-economy-for-all
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