Reform wave

re: "30% not a majority" (BP, PostBag, May 25, 2023) 

Dear editor,

In an eagerness to diminish Move Forward's stunning success in the May 14 poll of Thai public opinion, Yingwai Suchaovanich appears to have failed to understand that in addition to being the most popular choice of the Thai people, at least in part because it has over the past four years of serving in opposition proved itself to be professional, competent, mature, and morally principled, Move Forward is in fact perfectly well aware of the simple mathematics that 30% is not even an outright majority, let alone a landslide win. That is why they have never been so rash as to pretend to having won a majority of the Thai people's votes. That is also why they promptly entered into negotiations to form a coalition with reasonably like-minded parties. That also explains why Move Forward has evinced the maturity to compromise on non-core principles, including not requiring other parties to go along with its proposed reforms of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which reforms are the best protection being offered the institution persistently damaged by the use of that law in its traditional form contrary to both democratic principle and justice.

But the true landslide, one that Khun Yingwai may have failed to spot, is that over 70% of the Thai nation did indeed vote in favour of parties not tainted by association with coups against both democracy and justice for the Thai people. That landslide in favour of democracy and against the traditions of dubious worth represented by army general Prime Minister (caretaker) Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha is a landslide worth celebrating as Thailand looks forward to moving forward politically, socially, economically and morally under the coalition that Move Forward has promptly helped organize to serve the nation according to the mandate given the progressive pro-democracy parties. 

 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 May 28, 2023, under the title "Reform wave" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2579909/unfair-trade

Aim to reduce harm

re: "A gruesome reminder" (BP, Travel, May 25, 2023) 

Dear editor,

The certainly gruesome, and hopefully disturbing, piece by the Bangkok Post's Pattarawadee Saengmenee revisiting the historical reality of Thailand's relatively recent prison systems, complete with officially prescribed torture, was an ever timely reminder of how much more barbaric and cruel our not so remote ancestors were; nor do I exclude my own and other nations' law enforcement systems, which were also officially far more brutal than today so recently as only one hundred or even less years ago. 

They might have been doing their best to make progress, but along with the abundance of documentary and other historical evidence, the material artefacts they have left behind attest, as clarified by Ms Saengmenee's article, to how far less morally developed those dear ancestors truly were in practice. We can and should do better than the last generation. We should do far better than those of 100 years ago, let alone of centuries past when cat baiting was as popular a sport throughout Europe as was the entertainment, complete with presiding Christian clergy, of the public torture of dubiously convicted heretics and lesser criminals. 

Contrary to authoritarians preaching law and order to excuse their lust for legalized brutality, harsh criminal punishments, including draconian prison sentences out of all proportion to any actual harm done anyone, are no sign of good morals. They testify only to a viciously cruel character. 

 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 May 27, 2023, under the title "Aim to reduce harm" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2579401/legacy-politics

No fan of religion

re: "Malaysia seizes ‘Pride’ watches" (BP, May 24, 2023) 

Dear editor,

It is well-known, millennia of evidence across cultures attesting to it, that religion reliably leads to false beliefs and moral stunting masquerading under arrogant claims of unquestionable infallibility. Still, the sad seizure by Malaysian authorities of "Pride" watches bearing a design inspired by nature's beautiful rainbow is seriously kooky behaviour for the faith-driven as they seek to despotically impose their faith-sodden ideology on an entire society. 

Sadder by far, however, is that their unreasoning intolerance and contempt for basic human rights leads ineluctably to the creation, in the name of their ruthlessly commanding gods, of all too real hell on Earth for actual human beings. 

 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 May 26, 2023, under the title "No fan of religion" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2578784/reckless-riders

Meaty options

re: "Stop the denial" (BP, PostBag, May 22, 2023) 

Dear editor,

Eric Bahrt is correct that beef production remains a major source of greenhouse gas production, specifically of methane, which "is more than 25 times as potent ... at trapping heat in the atmosphere" (US EPA, 2022) than is boring CO2. Unfortunately, I was unable to find the sentence Mr. Bahrt quotes that claims "Beef production remains the biggest source of greenhouse gasses", which sentence, according to Google, exists solely on a few Facebook pages run by avid vegetarians, and now on the Bangkok Post. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in contrast, reports that for the US, "Human activities emitting methane include leaks from natural gas systems and the raising of livestock," in that order, with natural gas and petroleum systems contributing 29% and enteric fermentation (animal digestion) 25%. (US EPA, Overview of Greenhouse Gases, 2023, April 13)

But 25% is still a lot of methane to be pumping into our atmosphere by ruminative animals converting plants into tasty flesh at low cost, except to our shared environment. Happily, methane also breaks down relatively quickly, making it sensible to focus on to contain global warming. 

Even more happily, science and technology are now providing us with alternative ways to grow real meat without the release of harmful methane.  With cultured (lab grown) meat now becoming a reality, that sustainable alternative to real meat needs to be further developed with economic incentives to make it more attractive for research and production. Putting cultured meat made in animal-free factories on the tables of consumers looking for the delicious taste of real meat that mindless nature, or darkly humorous gods, has implanted in us whilst not simultaneously destroying the environment we all must live in is win-win for ourselves and nature. Moving to such human-made meats will also remove most if not all of the suffering currently inflicted on innocent members of other species by we human animals bent on needless pleasure according to our evolved, or god given, nature. 

 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 May 24, 2023, under the title "Meaty options" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2577089/handling-the-purse

re: "Legalizing Marijuana Is a Big Mistake"

re: "Legalizing Marijuana Is a Big Mistake" (The New York Times, May 17, 2023)

Although he does not mention that popular drug that is far more harmful to both users and society than marijuana is, Mr Douthat is presumably aware that that is the case. The silence is odd. Anyone who opposes marijuana legalization on the grounds that it is personally degrading will logically be a rabid abolitionist when it comes to the more toxic and degrading alcohol. 

As for the argument that cops "simply substitute some other pretext when the law changes, leaving arrest rates basically unchanged," what this shows is that more laws need to be amended or revoked to prevent such racialized abuse by police. 

But Mr Douthat's founding premise is hazy unto murk. He appears to think that if X is known to cause some harm to some adult users, that is a sufficient reason to ban it for all. There goes not only alcohol and parachuting, but cars and swimming pools. The degradation is seeping in everywhere. 

 

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The above comment was submitted by Felix Qui to The New York Times article.

It is published there at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/17/opinion/marijuana-legalization-disaster.html#commentsContainer&permid=125154054:125154054 

Sensible proposals

re: "Kingly advice" (BP, PostBag, May 18, 2023) 

Dear editor,

Burin Kantabutra is right as regards the need to reform Thailand's harmfully used lèse majesté law, section 112 of the Criminal Code. Apart from such such reform being fully in line with the express wishes of  His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, as Mr Kantabutra elucidates with his usual erudition and rigour, anyone who truly values Thailand's monarchy and desires it to have a future as a respected and loved Thai institution will actively support Move Forward's sensible, modest proposals to reform such law whose abuse in full accord with the provisions thereof as currently written leads to such headlines as "Another teen girl faces 112 charge" (Bangkok Post, May 17)  — the sort of thing that can hardly bring any associated institution into good repute or enhanced respect.

Move Forward's proposed amendments to section 112 of the Criminal Code are the surest protection any party or group has made to protect the nation's monarchy as Thailand grows up  into a flourishing democracy with an admirable constitutional monarchy that has not forgot its historic roots. 

 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 May 19, 2023, under the title "Sensible proposals" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2573792/be-a-good-sport

Reform mandate

re: "Pheu Thai must size up its options" (BP, Opinion, May 15, 2023)

Dear editor,

Veera Prateepchaikul offers, of course, not a shred of evidence to support his claim that "there are many among the silent majority who may feel offended and rise up if their revered institution is desecrated." The nationwide poll conducted on Sunday, May 14 suggests otherwise. It is clear that those who voted for the happily popular Move Forward have no such concerns. It is not at all clear that Pheu Thai voters feel differently on the issue. It is credible that those who voted for Palang Pracharat do to some unknown extent feel as Veera suggests, but they are a minority. It is fairly certain that United Thai Nation voters do indeed feel as Veera speculates, but they are clearly a small minority of Thais, nothing remotely like a "silent majority".

This being the situation on the ground, Pheu Thai might sensibly reconsider its views and opt to work with Move Forward in bringing about the long overdue reform that an increasing majority of the Thai people apparently want for their nation. Acting contrary to the groundswell shown by yesterday's poll will not win Pheu Thai, or any other party, more votes in elections to come. It would be prudent to respect the evolving will of the people. 

Nor does any party, least of all Move Forward, have any desire to "desecrate" a revered institution as Veera somewhat hysterically describes it. Amending unjust law that contradicts democratic principle cannot itself be a desecration of any institution that itself values justice and democracy. Veera has no grounds for concerns about protests on this score, unless a tiny, non-silent, self-serving minority who might oppose both democracy and justice were to act to violate what the available evidence now suggests is the clear will of the Thai nation.

 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 May 16, 2023, under the title "Reform mandate" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2571542/hearts-and-minds

It's what patriots do

re: "Court to rule on detention of Samran Rat rioters on Friday" (BP, May 11, 2023) 

Dear editor,

Pol Maj Gen Nakharin Sukhonthawit, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 6, is perfectly correct to point out, when speaking of the acts resulting from their extreme frustration of a group who "caused significant damage by breaking a glass door and splashing splashing and spraying paint on walls, passages and stairs at the [Samran Rat Police] Station," that "such an incident should not have happened." He is completely wrong as to why it should not have happened. 

It was reckless to have smashed a glass door and spilt some paint, however unreasonably provoked. It won't send Thailand bankrupt. There are perhaps more reckless wastes of tax payers' money in the Royal Thai Police and like institutions than that spent replacing a glass door. The incident should not have happened because a 15-year-old patriot should never have been arrested. No one is disputing that, as  the chief apologists of such abuses in full accord with it love to insist, the law is the law. It is indeed. That legality is the shameful problem. 

Yes, the patriotic young Thanalop “Yok” Phalanchai may well have broken a law or two when she was 14 years old. She is, specifically, alleged to have broken the notorious lèse majesté law, section 112 of the Criminal Code. She likely did so knowingly. Like all patriots who suffer unjust law, the admirable Thanalop followed the courageous example of other peacefully protesting young Thais who have been similarly abused by unjust law that was created and is executed with intent to intimidate the nation into opaque silence on matters of national concern that legitimately concern the nation. Opposing such blatantly undemocratic law is the act of a patriot. Opposing law that defiles justice and violates the nation is what patriots do. 

As the election nears, people who value justice, good people one might say, will vote for parties that have committed to reforming law that locks up citizens, even 15-year-olds, for nothing more than the peaceful expression of views that may well be majority opinion. (Does anyone have opinion poll results to the contrary?) The existence, let alone the persistent use, of such laws is an affront to decency and to decent people. 

There is no sound defence of such unjust laws. There is only shame in enforcing them or by shameful silence allowing them to be enforced. That they are traditional is no defence at all, proving only that they should have been reformed long ago. That they are popular, if even true (opinion poll statistics?), is no defence, proving only that many have been deluded by defective arguments.

But perhaps I am mistaken. If any can suggest a sound reason that would justify such laws as those that persistently shame Thailand's legal system and its institutions, please present it for discussion. If we hope to deepen our understanding and correct inherited errors, including our own, open discussion is a necessary condition, which of course requires respect for free speech, thereby proving that Thanalop “Yok” Phalanchai and her friends in patriotism have already won the debate.  

 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 May 13, 2023, under the title "It's what patriots do" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2569592/grim-path-to-peace 

Monarchies today

re: "Minority govt perils" (BP, Editorial, May 8, 2023)  & "Don't mess with lese majeste law: Prayut" (BP, May 8)

Dear editor,

It is interesting that the Bangkok Post concludes their timely editorial on the threat of legal manoeuvres giving rise to a minority government with the sentence: "It is incumbent upon us to ensure the formation of any government aligns with the fundamental tenets of democracy and voters' will," on the very day that there is another article on the Thai law that directly contradicts foundational democratic principle: "Don't mess with lese majeste law: Prayut" (Bangkok Post, May 8).

In the latter, Royal Thai Army General Prime Minister (caretaker) Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha is quoted as warning other parties "not to meddle with it too much," referring to Thailand's too well known lèse majesté law, popularly known as section 112 of the criminal code. The only justification that the PM (caretaker) gives is that "the law is the law." This is of course perfectly true: the law is indeed the law. It is also unjust and contradicts basic democratic principle.

Overlooking the obvious truth that committing or being complicit in a coup against the nation shows nothing but contempt for the law by that very act of overthrowing the supreme law of the land, the PM and his cheering fans, clearly a small minority of Thais as polls consistently show, can rest assured that should that law be amended to bring it into line with justice and foundational democratic principle, it will continue to be the law, only a more just law, one befitting a democratic nation that respects basic human rights.

That sort of reforming amendment (no major party is suggesting abolition) would not "destroy the foundation" of the nation as the caretaker PM suggests. On the contrary, it would strengthen the foundation, making it more resilient and able to support a 21st century nation that continues to appropriately respect its traditional institutions. The recent example of the coronation of my own nation's new king, Charles III, amply attests to the reality that a central symbolic role for traditional monarchies can fit perfectly comfortably in a liberal democracy whose laws respect  "the fundamental tenets of democracy and voters' will," including the rights of each and every citizen to peacefully speak their mind. 

 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 May 9, 2023, under the title "Monarchies today" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2566251/a-taste-of-duty

re: "Tucker Carlson’s Dark and Malign Influence Over the Christian Right"

re: "Tucker Carlson’s Dark and Malign Influence Over the Christian Right" (The New York Times, May 7, 2023)

One problem is that many Christians prefer the version of their religion forged by the warrior St Paul in his letters laying down the law with perfect intolerance and disdain for human decency to the version of Christianity promoted by Jesus, the street protestor who died by the political machinations of the conservative religious establishment, the Sanhedrin, of ancient Judea who piously persuaded themselves that any means were OK to maintain their position in their beloved hierarchy.

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The above comment was submitted by Felix Qui to The New York Times article.

It is published there at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/07/opinion/tucker-carlson-christian-right.html#commentsContainer&permid=124930746:124930746

Fact-check PM?

re: "'We will triumph'" (BP, May 3, 2023) 

Dear editor,

It was with growing bemusement that I worked my way through the Bangkok Post's "exclusive interview" with Caretaker Prime Minister and Royal Thai Army General Prayut Chan-o-cha. Among the others equally unsubstantiated, one amazing claim stood out. Having dissed polls, exactly what evidence did the PM General (caretaker) present to support his claim that "his popularity remains high"?

His own doubtless sincere belief in his own popularity is not in fact evidence that he is popular. Did the Post's Nattaya Chetchotiros think to ask such an obvious question, or are outrageous claims no longer held to require at least some evidence before being uncritically reported?

When we read its editorial on the very same day, "Media rights in focus", the questions not asked of the PM (caretaker) by the interviewer were easily the most pertinent as Thailand prepares to vote on its commitment to democratic principle.

By the way, are we to look forward in coming days to the exclusive interview with Move Forward's Pita Limjaroenrat? And with Pheu Thai's mother of Thais Paethongtarn Shinawatra? 

 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 May 6, 2023, under the title "Fact-check PM?" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2564551/what-the-polls-say