Decision on state religion is sensible, but ailing Buddhism needs support

Much praise has to be given to Prasong Soonsiri, who stood firm and cited democracy and Lord Buddha's teachings as his main argument. For those protesting monks who used a hunger strike and coffins as their bed to publicise their demand, it is time to accept the reason and review their understanding of Buddhism.

Whatever their motives are, these monks have something to worried about - in country provinces such as Udon Thani, the spreading of the Bible's teachings has blossomed in the last couple of years. Many new churches are erected. Loud preaching announcements in market places from moving vehicles are not uncommon.

Unless all the negative news on monks committing offences, which frequently figure in newspaper headlines, can be reduced to a minimum, and all those improper non-Buddhist practices by monks - such as acquiring personal wealth, sponsoring all the superstitious amulets or talismans as money spinning machines - disappear, rival religions will be likely to grow as the popularity of Buddhism declines.

To help Buddhism, the state budget should go into educating the public, especially the younger generation, in the true meaning of Buddhism. Only through proper understanding of "metta" (loving kindness) can different people accept each other and live together peacefully.

Yingwai Suchaovanich

Bangplee

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Muzzling the media is not a step forward

It seems that we won't be able to have elections this year, as scheduled. That's fine, as ex-premier Chuan Leekpai noted, the most important question is whether or not we are ready for an election. PM Surayud evidently believes that elections are the substance of democracy. As he's a career soldier, I don't blame him for not knowing what a "government of the people, by the people, and for the people" is, as Abraham Lincoln put it. I think elections are merely one way through which we, the people, express our will. I suggest there are many other, equally important ways - and Surayud should hasten to give us the freedom to implement them.

To help us make decisions that will last in the long term, we need the right to freely debate the issues of the day, subject to laws and punishments as they stand now, where all sides - including those of ex-premier Thaksin - may voice their opinions in calm discussionsions.

A courageous, free and accountable press is essential in getting to the bottom of things, so that we, the people, can form our opinions and decide for ourselves. Thus, the government should cease and desist from controlling the mass media, or blocking websites. Instead, it should rely on existing laws to ensure accountability by the media. If the government feels that there would be a clear and present danger to national security by allowing a given interview to be broadcast, it must obtain a court injunction to prevent the broadcast.

The universities and think-tanks can play a key role through neutral, in-depth analysis of major topics, like privatisation or the Foreign Business Act, so that our speakers may use their findings to shed light rather than heat.

All of the above, and much more, is essential for a vibrant democracy, where elections really reflect what the people want in the long-term, and Surayud should allow such activities immediately.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Extradition unlikely in the case of wanted ex-PM

Re: "Exiled businessman says law not on govt's side in Thaksin extradition fight", Letters, July 1.

It is somewhat ironic that another exiled person, Rakesh Saxena, wanted by our Thai government and now residing in Canada, is offering his expertise on extradition law - that the chance of the Thai government extraditing Thaksin from the UK is zero. I wonder whether his advice is better than the London solicitor's, or is he lamenting that he should have taken refuge in the UK since he has failed so far in the Canadian courts to preclude extraditing him back to Thailand. His final appellate reason is likely to include the latest coup in Thailand, which is likely to be also relied upon extensively by another exile in London.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

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Movie ban a blow to liberties for all Thais

So the movie "Persepolis" has been banned at the film festival in Bangkok. Meechai Burapa agrees with the censorship by the Iranian government of that beautiful movie, which was admired at the Cannes festival. Meechai tells us that the festival authorities "played it safe by bannng that movie". Safe for the Iranian government, but not for the civil liberties of Thais. On the contrary, it is another blow to freedom of expression. Thailand is becoming more and more an oppressive society. Where are the proud Thai people? No protests?

Dick

Bangkok 

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Film ban displays a complete lack of courage

At first I was horrified by Meechai Burapa's agreeing to the banning of the film "Persepolis" from the Bangkok International Film Festival. Then I realised it is generally symptomatic of Thai society as a whole. If Thailand was not such a compliant society it would be admired from afar for having something that is world class based on innovation and progress, rather than merely tradition and geography. It would be able to hold its head high with a history of inventive spirit, a world class literature that inspires and a legacy of art that shines.

While countries like the UK honour the talented and brave, Thais crouch under the yoke of dictatorship and corruption, spend their happy hours watching pirated Hollywood movies, crave foreign luxury imports, do rote learning and shake when the mullahs of Iran shout loud. They have a child protection organisation that supports laws that encourage child rape with impunity, an (in)justice system that, whilst allowing celebrities and politicians to get away with murder, cannot dispense justice to the poor. It has a media that is as tepid as warm porridge and an Internet as quiet as a mouse.

If the organisers of the Bangkok International Film Festival had one fragment of backbone between them, they would show "Persepolis" in defiance of the censors and accept their fate accordingly. Without that I won't be attending the festival, will lobby celebrities not to waste their time attending, and request everyone else to boycott the event.

Shame on you Meechai, and shame on you festival organisers.

Peter Moseley

Bangkok

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God help the children of Thailand

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has forsaken the innocent children of

Thailand. According to the report I've just read in The Nation online, when my Thai daughter turns 13 in two years from now, she can be raped.

Under the law that Thai lawmakers have just passed, she can be raped by any Thai adult male as long as the rapist agrees to marry her afterwards. What kind of men abandon all sense of decency leaving my child unprotected from sexual predators under this new sexist pro male pro rape law. It is an insane law. It is like something from a horror movie. It is sick. It is evil. It is Neanderthal.

If and when my daughter marries it will by her choice: not that of a rapist marrying to escape punishment for his crimes with the full support of the NLA.

To all of you NLA members who have daughters, look them in the eye and tell them you won't save them when the rapist comes knocking. Shame on you.

Boris Loosebrain

Bangkok

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Rescue us from Bangkok's paviours

A stretch of footpath on Sukhumvit Road at the intersection with Soi Thonglor was recently covered with tarmac. Since all the old broken and uneven paving slabs were removed, this particular stretch of the sidewalk is now flat and, despite the usual spillover of vendors, is almost a pleasure to walk on. Thai craftsmen have many and varied skills, but unfortunately paving is not among them.

A suggestion to the relevant city authority: please dispense with all further schemes to re-pave Bangkok's sidewalks and use tarmac instead.

Johnny Walker

Bangkok