Don’t listen to the bureaucrats, Prayut told
What’s hot in Thai newspapers and social media
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha’s comments about being a “good leader” has drawn a reaction from Post Today columnist E-charn.
The prime minister referred to the qualities of a good leader during an interview with Bangkok Post editor Pichai Chuensuksawat while on a trip to Japan on Tuesday.
He said: “You need to find politicians who works like I do. Listen to your subordinates, listen to the ministries and then act.”
However, the columnist urged the prime minister not to listen too much to bureaucrats.
In her opinion, the bureaucratic system hinders the country’s progress. The columnist criticised the feudalistic practice of several government officials in particular.
She said if the bureaucrats are good, they would advise politicians against pursuing projects or schemes that cause damage to the country, such as the rice-pledging scheme.
But in reality, bureaucrats just collude with the politicians, allowing them to do anything they want.
“Take the rice scheme. If officials in the Commerce or Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives ministries are good, they would have put the brake on the scheme or alerted society to how this scheme could result in enormous damage,” she said.
E-charn said cronyism has robbed officials of what they deserve in the merit system.
She said she is not sure if Prime Minister Prayut takes care of government officials, as “political connections” are still key words in recruitments and transfers.
“Some people also talk about whether they will get a ‘per cent’ (money diverted to officials) from state projects,” she said.
Don’t blame the victim
An anti-rape campaign by the Police Office has triggered huge online debate, dramaaddict.com reports. The video-clip campaign, which is aimed at alerting women to possible dangers from rapists, features interviews with convicted rapists who recall their crimes and how they seized the chance to attack their victims.
One rapist claimed he was drunk and came to see his aunt to get money to carry on drinking. But his aunt was “dressed a little sexily”, so he raped her.
Another rapist, an old man, said he realised his neighbour was home alone. One day, he followed her into her house and took the opportunity to rape her.
However, several viewers said they are not comfortable with the campaign as it seems to send the message that it’s the woman’s fault. They said that instead of blaming victims, the campaign should tell men it’s wrong to rape.
One woman internet user questioned how being home alone is tantamount to giving a rapist a chance to attack.
“Those men should know they have no right to take such an action. If a man happens to see a woman taking a shower in her home, he cannot think he has a right to rape her. But this campaign indicates it’s the victim’s fault. Rapists appear to be saying these women would not have become victims if they had not dressed that way or if they had not been alone.”
Another internet user noted that in reality, many women fall victim to attacks even if they do not dress in a sexy way.
But several internet users still think the campaign is useful as it tells women to take precautions and take care of themselves. “Would-be rapists will not care or listen to warnings. They just take a chance,” one user said.
Internet user WinRas said rape is not just a matter of rapists and victims.
“Instead, it’s a business of all people in society. Dark alleys should be lit up, while neighbours should keep a watch out. Form a volunteer group to patrol the area. Police also should do more to provide protection.”
Baby mackerel not for eating
When activist Banjong Nasae shared a photo of packaged baby mackerel sold in a marketplace on his Facebook page, hundreds of his followers didn’t find it mouth-watering, but rather offensive. Most of them condemned the trader for selling an illegal product.
Banjong, who is based in Songkhla, said commercial trawlers continue to use fine fish net even though it is illegal. Sweeping young fish from the sea in such a random manner could put some species at risk, he said.
Many of the followers agreed that consuming baby mackerel is harmful to marine ecology. However, some admitted they didn’t realise they were harming the ecological system when they bought small mackerel. They just thought that it was special species that would never grow any larger.
“Our popular dishes like nam prik pla-too [mackerel dip] might have to be changed to nam prik pla-nin [tilapia dip],” Facebook user Yodsri Thapanan Ek-in said, referring to the prospect that mackerel might one day die out.
Another user, Thanat Choetchootham said Thailand will soon become barren of natural food supplies like Africa where people have to eat worms and bugs.
Apivatt Vakrut, who shared the photo, said Thais pursue double-standards on many issues.
“We seem to have adopted a lifestyle like people in the West but, unlike them, we are weak at law enforcement. Catching young fish is illegal and a trawler owner would be heavily punished if this happened in the West,” he said.
Erotic art has cops peeking
Chiang Mai police rushed to inspect a tourist attraction in Mae Rim district after a report in Western media that it was displaying erotic art items.
They found about 100 phallus sculptures and breasts fashioned from shrubbery at “The Erotic Garden and Teahouse”, owned by Phetcharawan Kamminga, 49. The owner claims it’s the first erotic garden in Southeast Asia.
“Shiva linga symbolises prosperity,” she told a Khao Sod reporter. The garden is well-known among Western tourists.
The owner insisted the place is for sightseeing, and does not provide lodgings or sex services.
Pol Col Adul Somnuek said he found nothing there against the law. However, he warned the owner not to get involved in offering sex services.