OPINION

Beggaring belief

Re: "Graft gobbling up our dream of democracy", (Opinion, April 20).

Thitinan Pongsudhirak sets out in depressing detail how Thailand is lagging behind other countries in tackling corruption. In 2014, Thailand ranked 85th in Transparency International's world index of corruption. In 2017 it was ranked 96th.

However, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), against all the evidence, would beg to disagree. Local media and social media are abuzz over some comments in a book covering the past 400 years of Thai history which has been written, at the request of the NCPO, by the Fine Art Department. One comment which has drawn particular attention reads as follows:

"General Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister has carried out a policy of reforming the country, reforming politics to be truly a democracy, eliminating corruption and using moral principles to lead the country to be truly a democracy"

I don't know how the authors define true democracy, but the statement regarding corruption beggars belief, as almost daily headlines in the media will testify. If the NCPO really wanted an authoritative book on Thai history, then it might have been a better idea to ask eminent Thai historians to write it, but then they might have had more robust views on what actually constitutes Thai history than the presumably more malleable scribblers at the Fine Art Department.

Then there is the question as to whether events which may or may not have happened since 2014 actually qualify as history, but as an electioneering slogan for a political party the quote sounds really snappy. That, however, I am absolutely sure, is just pure coincidence.

It has taken almost four years and it now appears to be nothing more than an illusion played by military leaders that have come clean on their actual desires. The "roadmap" has been shown to be nothing more than a roundabout, the people having now been taken the full circle with no exit having been chosen.

To begin with, the coup makers placed all the blame fair and square on the awfulness of Thailand's politicians who were so corrupt that nothing could be done short of getting rid of them all. The country needed cleaning up and they were the ones to do it.

In the atmosphere in which it was carried out, it became quite obvious that the new constitution was the most important amendment to the rules and it's the sole major change, with the clear purpose of making elections almost impossible to win outright. Since its introduction, almost all other items included in this new constitution, human rights, freedom of speech and assembly, have been ignored, overruled by Section 44 (of the interim constitution). Simultaneous major corruption cases then hit the news and suddenly it's clear that the new "squeaky clean" government was perhaps not as unsullied as had been suggested.

Finally, to add real salt into the wound those upstanding anti-corrupt military leaders have now started looking for political partners and involved themselves with some of the very political "heavyweights" they overturned at the outset. Right back to where we started but with a brand new and very dubious constitution and no other reforms worth talking about. What an awful waste of time and opportunity.

Re: "Peace via conquest", (PostBag, April 17).

As the writer of the article, "Islamic Head Preaches Message of Peace", (Spectrum, April 15), I was baffled by "Baffled Reader", who managed to twist the greatest act of forgiveness ever shown, in the history humanity, into an act of war.

The Holy Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and his followers had been persecuted mercilessly for over 20 years, their wealth and property confiscated. Some of them tied were between two camels and their bodies torn in two. These Muslims were tortured, brutally slaughtered and turned out from their homes. And why? Simply because they said "God is One".

Then after 20 years the Prophet Mohammed gained victory over his persecutors: He had in his grasp the man responsible for murdering his daughter, the woman who murdered his uncle and ate his liver, the very people who were responsible for the deaths of his dear wife and adoptive father.

What did Mohammed do? He forgave them all in an instant -- no reproach, no admonishment, no punishment, no confiscation of property -- they were free to live the rest of their lives in peace.

If this is not peace, if this is not mercy, if we cannot learn from this example, and our inner hatred towards Islam is so great that we attempt to twist this example of forgiveness and mercy into an act of war! Then we truly are a "Baffled Reader".

The Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad is championing the cause of peace throughout the world. In his recent press release to Commonwealth heads of government he urged:

"As you gather in London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, it is imperative that you use your goodwill, friendships and your mutual bond as human beings to renew and reinvigorate all measures that can generate peace. It is your moral duty to act with a greater sense of urgency to end the suffering of people across the world, to focus minds on education that leads to progress rather than turn a blind eye to the hopelessness and poverty that feeds resentment and revenge.''

"We are all God's creatures, and this implores us to act with greater love, compassion and absolute justice with each other to build bridges, to forge partnerships and to strive for the good of all -- especially the weak and the vulnerable in society."

I think if we want peace in the world then we need to heed the advice of His Holiness. It may be our final hope.

The junta moving four police commanders with the highest per capita road fatalities during Songkran to Bangkok as punishment is highly unsatisfactory because: (a) the problem has many aspects, not just cop negligence, (b) the punishment focuses on just seven days' fatalities out of 365, (c) it is unfair to those punished, and so (d) is probably good just for short-term public relations.

Thailand has the deadliest roads in the world, not excluding war zones, for many reasons: roads are poorly designed, punishments are not enough to punish or deter, cops are open to bribes, etc. Focusing only on seven days' casualties takes none of the above into account.

Require completion of rigorous driver education courses, with a one-year learner's licence period, and passing rigorous refresher courses and tests. Enforce road safety laws, eg, wearing helmets, requiring driver's licences, making way for emergency vehicles, stopping for stop signs. Make punishments much more robust, eg, make driving under the influence punishable by a mandatory jail term plus a heavy fine; make speeding punishable by a mandatory one-year licence suspension, and driving without a licence punishable by a mandatory five-year suspension plus jail. Evaluate top cops by their year-round performance, not just over seven days.

Get serious about saving our lives, not just window dressing to cover up a national disgrace, please.

Re: "Bangladesh rejects repatriation claim", (World, April 17).

Your report of the disputed claim that Myanmar has begun repatriation of the Rohingya and the equally graphic and telling photograph of the Taungpyo Bangladesh border repatriation centre are further evidence that Myanmar is a pariah state with leadership totally devoid of humanity, morality, or truth.

Bangladesh strongly rejects the claim by Myanmar that it has repatriated a family of five Rohingya, saying they never crossed the border back into Myanmar. Even if Myanmar has taken back five Rohingya, let's please get serious. That is not a sufficient number to be called even a token effort at repatriation. In fact, if it was not for Bangladesh's denial of Myanmar's claim, the repatriation of five people would not be newsworthy and would not have been reported.

I have been to both Rakhine state and Cox's Bazar. While the Rohingya lived in the most impoverished conditions in Rakhine, at least they were able to scrape together a subsistence living. Now, according to all reliable reports, there is nothing for them to come back to, for the military and Myanmar Buddhists have appropriated what was left of their villages, livestock and fields.

The photograph of the repatriation processing centre is reminiscent of Auschwitz and Dachau, with its barren earthscape and its razor wire fences. All that's missing are the gas chambers, although I can see trenches have already been dug -- but to what purpose I dare not imagine.

If I were in the same unfortunate situation as the more than 700,000 refugees living in squalor at Cox's Bazar, I'd put up with it and wait for an alternative solution, rather than putting my trust back into the hands of this murderous and dishonest regime.

The drama Love Destiny, or Bupphaesannivas, which just ended last week has received perhaps the highest ratings in recent TV history. The story is about a girl who died in an accident but her soul travelled back in time to replace the soul of a dead lady back in Ayutthaya's King Narai period.

There have been many TV dramas or movies about Thai history but there are differences with Love Destiny. The story of Love Destiny is not focused on who is right or wrong or biased towards one group or on the royal family but rather on normal individuals. Its music offers a taste of Thai traditional music, often ignored by many Thais. Thai elements such as cooking were inserted throughout. There was an attempt to make sure the scenery reflects what Ayutthaya really looked like back in the late 17th century.

This is not just another drama but a major move to revitalise Thai culture (or might I say Siamese culture) and the Thai economy.

After all, Thai is a new word. The word "Tai" used to mean "people" before later meaning "free". Siam is the name foreigners ever since China's Song dynasty used to call this area of present-day Thailand, Laos, Shan state of eastern Myanmar, Xishuangbanna of southern China, and Kedah, Kelantan and Terranganu of northern Malaysia.

Siam has always been a multicultural place with Mon, Khmer, Thai, Malays, Portuguese, Persians, Indians, Chinese, and so on and this drama reminds us that we are not just one ethnic group or race but mixed. Ayutthaya was the "Singapore" of Southeast Asia where China traded with the world and where there were lots of foreigners living freely. Many of them simply spoke the language which was a mixture of Thai and Khmer. The drama reminds us who we are and what we should be proud of.

On the economic front, we have already seen a huge increase in domestic travel to historical places, especially Ayutthaya, as well as increased spending on Thai traditional clothes. Depending how the Thai government rides this wave to boost domestic consumer spending is one question, but I do not believe the pride this drama gives to society will fade in the near term.

It will also set a roadmap for other drama producers to make blockbusters. This could snowball into a Siamese story line that Thailand could sell to the world and boost not just revenues for the entertainment industry but also tourism income in the same way American, Japanese, or Korean movies attracted tourists to their countries after their movies became big hits.

Perhaps this is the beginning of cultural exports from Thailand. Thai food is world famous and this drama could launch the perfect side dish. Rising tourism could also lead to buoyant retail and real-estate sectors. The whole thing is credit positive for Thailand.

We have Hollywood, J-Pop, and K-Pop. Get ready for T-Pop, my friends.

Re: "Let's get serious", (PostBag, April 19).

I agree wholeheartedly with the writer but I think it should be taken further. The law should be applied to "all breaking of laws" on the roads, not just driving under the influence.

I would make the fines 1,000 baht for a first infringement, then 5,000 baht for a second, and 10,000 baht for a third. The vehicle should then be confiscated and sold. The rider/driver should be banned from driving for six months.

Then the state can use the collected fines for road and footpath repairs.

It will be interesting to hear what tourists think of Thai roads and pavements, particularly in Pattaya.