The King and Thais

Although I first came to Thailand nearly 50 years ago and have now lived here for 14 years, I am still a foreigner and an outsider, and I would not presume to say I fully understand the relationship between the Thai people and their King.

But one thing I am sure of, and that is that the love, respect and grief that is pouring out across the nation for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej as Thailand prepares for his final farewell, is genuine.

Photographs in the media and television footage showing men, women and children clutching photographs of the late King, tears streaming from their eyes, as they wait, sometimes for hours in the sun or rain to pay their last respects attest to their true love, respect and thankfulness for the 70-year reign of this extraordinary monarch.

Many Westerners think that Britain invented pomp and circumstance.

Watching the preparations for the royal funeral rites that begin this week, I thought Thailand is way ahead of the Brits, and that the ceremonies will befit the farewell not only of a king, but of a great king.

For I am sure history will record him as King Bhumibol the Great.

David Brown

Full-steam sufficiency

Re: "Can't see the truth", (PostBag, Oct 23).

The ever-negative Robin Grant laments that Clara Holzer is virtually myopic.

It appears he does not notice or recognise some developments since Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha took office.

Fortunately, the Thais see it and only they make the decisions around here.

It banned GMOs as soon as it came to power, reclaimed forests and park lands from encroachment by illegal resorts and farming.

It also increased solar power to 30% of the power mix, and provided billions of baht in support for sufficiency and sustainable farming such as crop rotation, anti-deforestation and reforestation.

It expanded irrigation and water resources for sustainable agriculture such as 70,000 water catchment ponds dug by army engineers.

The economy is recovering with higher-than-expected GDP growth in the first quarter of 3.2%.

It rebalanced the power supply from 90% gas on costly contracts with foreign corporations, reducing to 60% and in the next stage 30% to 40%.

It reformed fishing and labour practices.

It also supported R&D, generic medical and other technologies instead of selling out to foreign corporate dominance.

Sufficiency economy from the grassroots to the national level is evident.​ Stop and smell the coffee, Robin, before you wither away ​as a bitter old man.

Andre Machielsen

Regime not that bad

Robin Grant should not be too quick to criticise Clara Holzer's remarks, ending with, "there are none so blind as those who will not see".

Bangkok is not burning, there are no provincial seizures. The streets are indeed a bit safer, there is no government sponsored religious persecution, and things are getting done.

Thailand is far better off with this military government, run by, yes, generals in key posts, than neighbouring countries. No, the present government is far from perfect.

Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda spends our money on nonsense like the proverbial "drunken sailor on a spree".

The Red Bull scion is still enjoying life overseas, and, yes, people are tried in military courts with no method of appeal.

Yes, some news stories in print carry the final line with, "edited to comply with lese majeste regulations".

However, for all his faults, the prime minister is for the country as a whole, not raking in profit for his personal financial or political gain.

If Khun Robin gives us a proverb, perhaps I should return the courtesy: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Clara Holzer, like myself, sees the good things, perhaps along with not only the bad.

Buttercup

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