Follow-ups needed
Re: "Seed bomb threat to forest ecology", (Editorial, Sept 2), "Hilltop plot seized after landslides", (BP, 2 Sept) & "Phuket Buddha site ordered closed due to landslide risks", (BP, Sept 3).
Full marks for the op-ed piece in Sunday's Post for bringing to readers' attention the topic of the seed bomb threat to forest ecology. I hope the Post will follow up and obtain answers to the questions contained in the op-ed. Otherwise, it is no more than a rant, similar to many readers' letters. Please interview the appropriate DNP officials and publish their answers.
Similarly, your reporting of the hilltop seized after landslides in Phuket requires more journalistic follow-up. For example, development at the top of Nak Koet Hill started approximately 20 years ago. Why did the temple wait until 2020 to obtain permission to build a gigantic Buddha on the site when, in that year, the Buddha statue had already been built? Why did Royal Forestry Department (RFD) officials not know about the five rai of land used for car parking long, long before the landslide took place? Have any RFD officials inspected the site since development started many years ago? Has the RFD given permission for commercial elephant parks and restaurants beside the road that leads up to the top of the hill?
I am sure Post readers would love to know answers to these (and many more) questions. In the spirit of true journalism, please lift the stone to reveal what lies beneath.
Land of Serpents
Re: "It's getting to be tough at the top", (PostScript, Aug 25).
Siam is well known for its swamps and snakes. Although some Thais view snakes as inauspicious, the majority worship them if they are found roaming in and around the Buddhist temples and the mighty Mekong River. Of course, snakes always look for a pit when they are scared -- hence a burrow in a lush garden or a bathroom toilet bowl. Yes, in Thailand, slither-dither by reptiles is possible at any place, any time.
Snakes are part of the folklore and mythology in various countries in Asia, from India to China. The Nagas are believed to be guardians of spiritual wisdom and are sometimes depicted in the retinue of important deities like Vishnu and Shiva. One of the most famous Nagas in Hindu mythology is Shesha, the serpent on whom Lord Vishnu rides and rests.
In Buddhism, the Nagas are revered as protectors of the Dhamma and often play roles in significant events in the Buddha's life. One well-known story involves Mucalinda, the King of Serpents, who sheltered the Buddha from a storm by coiling around him and spreading his hood over him. Nagas in Buddhist texts are seen as both benevolent and malevolent, depending on their behaviour towards the practitioners.
Sadly, in Thailand, the Cobra villages and Cobra shows have now become part of the tourism industry. The Blue Wat near Chiang Rai, with its fantastical Nagas guarding the entrance, has become quite popular with tourists. So here we are, Roger, in the land of Nagas, where they may show up anywhere -- under fancy car hoods, leather couches made of their skins, ill-gotten money bags, gold treasure boxes, or lush toilet bowls.
Buying into fakery
Re: "Govt faces reshuffle risk", (Editorial, Sept 3).
It was reckless of the Bangkok Post to buy into the fake claims of those who commit coups against the nation by repeating the deceit that: "The best prevention against a military coup is professional politicians who are seen as serving the public -- not their own interests."
On the contrary, it is precisely their fear of such professional politicians that led to the Move Forward Party being thwarted from governing despite 14 million Thais voting for it in May last year. That injustice was enabled by the former Senate, appointed by a coup maker, with exactly such anti-democratic intent.
The national and local polls done since May last year show a consistent trend. Thailand wants to be governed by "good" people from the now-defunct former Move Forward Party, now the People's Party. Meanwhile, the most popular choice for prime minister remains Pita Limjaroenrat.
It will be interesting to see what the next polls show. Sadly for Thailand, the most pertinent polls of popularity are never done, lest opinion become informed and accordingly of some worth.
Above the law?
Re: "Thaksin revels as backstage miscreant", (Opinion, Aug 7).
Ever since a certain person re-entered the country, I have been asking these questions and have gotten no response. Maybe it is time to publicly ask them and see if the government will respond.
They are: Was the person admitted into the country sans passport? If so, why and under what law? He is/was not a VIP.
If admitted with a Thai passport, then the passport was illegally issued. It expired long ago, and fugitive criminals cannot get their passports renewed overseas. So, who issued it?
If admitted with a Dubai passport, then his visa has obviously expired. Did he obtain a new visa? Under what conditions, since everything I have seen disqualifies him? Has he filed a TM47 every 90 days as required?
These are perfectly valid questions as they apply to anyone entering Thailand. So, are we -- the public -- going to see if he got special treatment (as he did after entering the country)? Or is he above the law?
Heights of ability
Re: "Wrong yardstick", (PostBag, Sept 3).
Michael Setter quite rightly admonished me for writing something that could be read as personal about our prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
My intention was more to be in awe of the photos of Khun Srettha Thavisin's height of 1.92 metres (6 feet 4 inches). He was the tallest leader within Asean and the third tallest in the world.
Anyhow, the height of our prime minister, Paetongtarn, of 1.7 metres (5 feet 9 inches), close to a six-footer as referred to, is off the mark.
Easily found on Google, from one survey, the average height of Thai women aged 30-39 is 1.57 metres (5 feet 2 inches). The height is not a measurement of one's ability. Emperor Napoleon, with a height of 5 feet 6 inches, at one time ruled half of Europe.
Our prime minister has an edge over others, not only graduating in public administration from Chulalongkorn University but also being shadowed by her father, a most experienced politician who always thinks outside the box.
With care, she should survive and fare well during the rest of her term of three years.
Viva Venezuela
Re: "Venezuelan opposition under siege", (World, Aug 2).
Venezuela is a wealthy country -- it has the world's largest reserves of oil -- but this mixed blessing is at the root of its economic problems. Venezuela has the audacity to want to keep its oil reserves in Venezuelan hands, whereas the US wants them to be privatised to let in US corporations. This is the reason why the US does not want Nicolas Maduro to be declared the winner of the elections and for the illegal sanctions now being imposed by the US and its allies.
Matt Kennard's recent book, The Racket, explains in detail how the US uses privatisation to seize others' resources.
Venezuelan election results are a matter for the Venezuelans and are not a proper concern of the US.
Unsung 'Post' heroes
To the unsung heroes of the Bangkok Post, specifically the layout department for its design on page 4 (Asia) of the newspaper on Sept 5, that article about the Chinese lady in the Philippines pretending to be Filipina, who ran for mayor, won the election and then used her power to help run Chinese-linked gambling, scamming and human trafficking centres, placed directly below the article about China telling its Chinese students to watch out for "beautiful foreigner spies" was magnifique.
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