The sad decline of a once respected academic

I was an admirer of Jakrapob Penkair when he appeared almost daily on television to present his academic views of the world a decade ago. His programme was informative and educational to us Thais. 

Later, when he joined the political bandwagon as spokesman for the Thaksin government, we witnessed one of the most astounding characteristic metamorphoses in a person.

His manners have become rude. His facial expressions turned ugly - at times sneering. Now, he looks very much like a mafia boss.

Jakrapob has changed into someone quite remote to the intellectual we have known. He came out to express his views so strongly against the country's respected elders and established institutions. He attacked the patronage system prevalent in our country when it is suspected that he is working for some people with a certain political agenda, and that he is not his own man.

Jakrapob, and those who are behind him, should know that even John F Kennedy, one of the most forward-thinking politicians of modern history, had this mantra to remind him when it was time to change something … big or small: "When it is not necessary to change, it is necessary not to change."

It's a pity to have witnessed such a distinguished academic lose his soul. Jakrapob should realise that his potential is not in politics. He is too eager to change things without considering their cause and effect, which is uncharacteristic of an intelligent person - let alone a responsible politician.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

Catch-22 for poor students without right connections

Re: Tragic death over university fees must not happen again, The Nation May 21.

All universities have scholarships for needy students. But bureaucratic red tape requires that they be admitted as a student first.

"There appears to be a gap," Student Loan Fund manager Thada Martin said, pointing out that his office could only reach out to students who had already

registered themselves as students.

Sounds like a Catch-22 situation, a trap rather than a gap designed to keep Sukchaya Kaewsomchart from taking the place of someone better connected.

The poor are viewed as interlopers in this country. They soak up benefits meant for the middle class, aka the "Bangkok elite". Sukchaya should just have realised that she was arrogant, acting above her station. In fact she did.

And her seat will be taken by someone who knows the secret password, gives the secret handshake, and receives the knowing wink in return.

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