re: "Prophetic talk" (BP, PostBag, June 22, 2023)
Dear editor,
Vint Chavala, is correct that "Mr Thanathorn deserves an accolade for being such an influential model on freedom of expression in Thailand." He will be thrilled to hear the good news that on May 14 last the Thai nation bestowed that justly deserved award when it voted in such stunning numbers for the Move Forward party. That was a solid accolade for free speech that lights up the dark places where corruption thrives sequestered from the light.
After decades of authoritarian, legalistically enforced darkness, patriotic Thais such as the young Thanalop “Yok” Phalanchai and the hundreds of others unjustly imprisoned in strict accord with bad law that criminalizes honest, peaceful speech have courageously brought forth some glimmers of light upon the nation. Should the traditional forces of darkness succeed in denying Move Forward the task of serving as prime minister, which assault against the Thai people's choice is currently being waged by lawfare that perverts justice, they might well win next month and go on to to maintain their beloved gloom over Thai society for the immediate future, but at a high cost to themselves. Such acts lucidly laying bare just how unhinged from justice, benevolence and other good values are Thai law and the authoritative systems it serves might also open a lot more Thai eyes to the light.
Let us indulge one scenario: perhaps by the offer to the exiled Thaksin Shinawatra of a jail-free return to the bosom of the elite, Pheu Thai might be tempted to pull a Democrat Party and betray its own base by joining with those traditionalists tainted by complicity in coups; but Pheu Thai's base, like that of Move Forward, long for real democracy. Would Pheu Thai fall for a cheap lure so disastrous to themselves next election? The dark ones' immediate success this week or next in shutting down the glimmers lighting up the Thai prospect under a governing coalition led by Move Forward might well ignite a super nova that engulfs themselves. They might do better to learn to live with some grace in the world of light.
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 June 23, 2023, under the title "Drastic options" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2597601/conflicting-values
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