re: "Police must inspire trust" (BP, Editorial, November 15, 2023)
Dear editor,
The Bangkok Post means well, but if the well-established image and well-known reputation of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) is to be brought into line with the unsullied repute and untarnished perception of other Thai institutions, then drastic measures are needed. The Post's editorial presents none, merely repeating anodyne wishes that have already been repeated for decades, as though mere historical veneration conferred value. That won't work. It never has worked.
The obvious solution, one blessed by tradition, is to follow the unquestionable example that has worked so well for other respectable Thai institutions: criminalize all negative comments, however peaceful, under pain of severe penalties. That will ensure that the Royal Thai Police are spoken of as excellent, as is only proper. Their reputation will continually rise thereafter as the laudatory accolades pile up with news of their good deeds to protect society and honest citizens being properly reported daily. Could the image and reputation of this essential institution of Thai society then fail to win its deserved respect? Could the RTP deserve less admiration and respect than must then flow?
I believe this solution also works well in China, where rude comments on people's betters, including revered public institutions, are strictly controlled. Could the communists, no less, be wrong about anything so important?
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 November 18, 2023, under the title "Too kind to cops" at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/postbag/2687523/poor-playgrounds
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