CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES, NETIWIT

I fully agree with Vint Chavala’s advice to both PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and activist Netiwit Chotiphatphasal, elected president of Chulalongkorn University’s student council (“Worrying war of words”, BP, May 11). I would add a few words for Khun Netiwit’s consideration:

Choose your battles. Thais are obsessive about form rather than the much more important substance. Thus, focus on the substance of education, which is: “first, to give definite knowledge, reading and writing, language and mathematics, and so on; secondly, to create those mental habits which will enable people to acquire knowledge and form sound judgements for themselves” (Bertrand Russell). By focusing on the substance, you and Chula’s administration will be partners working towards the same overarching goals rather than opponents.

Go with the flow on the form of education, e.g., standing or prostrating to show respect, length of hair/skirts. Tidy hair doesn’t help or hinder one’s learning, as shown by Einstein, so do what others want. Be constructive, not just critical. Some projects might be:

(1) Form tutorial classes so that top undergraduates/graduate students can help others, strengthening their own understanding.

(2) Give Teacher of the Year awards in each faculty, chosen by students on the basis of ability to encourage lifelong learning.

(3) Encourage students to be proactive, accountable citizens, well informed about both sides of issues of the day, welcoming opinions other than their own through debates and clubs.

(4) Encourage students to contribute to those less privileged, partnering faculty members/NGOs to give financial/legal/ medical advice or tutoring slum children.

Congratulations and good luck, Khun Netiwit. Do Chula and Thai society proud by building a consensus and a shared vision between all participants.

Burin Kantabutra