Waste of good work

Gen Prayuth is unwittingly undoing the long-term fruits of his good intentions by quashing non-provocative public discussions. No one person, or even group, knows everything about a given topic. Remember Aesop’s fable of the blind men and the elephants? Reasonable men can, and often do, disagree.

For example, whether or not energy policy should be reformed, and if so how, is a key issue affecting us all. Thus we need to be educated on its complex issues. By banning the Partnership of Energy Reform from peacefully marching, the NCPO is fostering an electorate ignorant of the main issues of the day. How shall future voters choose between, say a pro- or anti-energy reform party?

By forcing the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand to cancel a peaceful discussion on “Access to Justice in Thailand: A Presentation on Human Rights 100 Days after the Coup”, Gen Prayuth missed out on an excellent opportunity to present the junta’s side on the issue — and he all the while calls for leading Western media, governments and the UN to understand his actions.

Gen Prayuth should encourage us to heed Lord Buddha: “Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books ... Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true.” Encourage non-provocative, calm discussion of the issues of the day by universities, professional associations, etc. Both sides must be given equal opportunity to present their points. Promote political tolerance, and understanding that, as in Aesop’s fable, each side has valid points worthy of consideration. In short, general, don’t undermine your own work.

BURIN KANTABUTRA