Cheap at the price

Re: “Thai politics’ murky tunnel to nowhere”, (Opinion, Jan 7) and “Thaksin vows to come home”, (BP, Jan 6).

The magisterial Thitinan Pongsudhirak’s latest column asks the question: “If PM Prayut goes, who do we have to replace him?” The answer is: “Nobody.” The current political scene seems to be dominated by mediocrities.

But hold! The Bangkok Post also reported that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, aka Tony Woodsome, has expressed a wistful desire to come home from exile to dandle his grandchildren on his knee.

Mr Woodsome actually won an election some time in the distant past. He has been gone since 2008. Is it possible that in the intervening 14 years he may have matured sufficiently in wisdom, compassion, and intelligence to warrant his return?

Thailand is famed as a land of forgiveness, flexibility, and compromise. Thaksin was famed as a prime minister of charisma and skill. Imagination and political courage are in short supply nowadays, but all it would cost Thailand is a few cups of o-liang. The phuyai ought to think about this.

IGNORANT FARANG