OPINION

Refugee workers

Re: " 'Brain drain' follows military coup", (BP, April 8).

Humanitarian assistance to citizens in conflict zones on the Thai-Myanmar border must be carried out without discrimination. Myanmar refugees are being forced by the Tatmadaw to kill their fellow countrymen. Thailand must not send them back to be jailed/killed but give them humanitarian aid on our soil.

Also, it appears that anti-Tatmadaw groups are taking control of Myawaddy, and 617 people have surrendered to the Karen National Union. The Tatmadaw sent an aircraft to bring an initial group back -- but none apparently showed up to be repatriated. They, like any other refugees, must be given free choice as to whether they wish to stay in Thailand or be repatriated. If the latter, they must be sent to an area where they feel safe, under the principle of non-refoulement.

Refugees electing to stay in Thailand are a golden opportunity for Thailand. We are one of Asia's fastest-ageing societies, with an increasingly heavy burden on our workers to support us elders. The Myanmar refugees are the exact age groups and professions needed to slow our ageing society and kickstart our lagging economy. We should help them find jobs with an acculturation programme and merit-based route to citizenship.

But we must move quickly. They are literally knocking on our doors as we speak.

Drug poll wrong

Re: "Five-meth-pill policy gets thumbs down: poll", (BP, April 7).

Polls are very useful for assessing public opinion, and reflecting on what the Thai people actually think about things.

Is the former PM and ex-convict (not inmate), the resurrected Thaksin Shinawatra, really so popularly seen as a benevolent saviour of the nation as many are alleged to hold him? (See what fantasies can be spun when supporting evidence citing percentages is deemed irrelevant!)

Nevertheless, this poll on a modest reform of a drug policy is wrong, irrational, and morally challenged.

The reported statistics that "When asked why people take methamphetamine, 57.6% said meth pills are easy to buy and 56.7% said meth is cheap", is telling.

The other popular opinions reported were equally wrong, both factually and ethically.

But that does not mean that such opinions should be silenced. Democracies should form the law through duly elected representatives of their society.

That the people are often wrong, as they are about a drug policy where alcohol is legal while other equally or less harmful drugs are inconsistently illegal for no just reason, is not a reason to disrespect them or to censor their opinions.

Nothing personal

Re: "Swords drawn" (PostBag, April 7) and Re: "PostBag gladiators", (PostBag, April 5).

I didn't know that calling someone a "hypocrite" was considered defamation. But if I unintentionally violated Thai law, or caused Songdej personal harm or misrepresented his views, I apologise.

But Mr Songdej, did you not write letters attacking me for attacking the junta? My attacks against you were political, not meant to be taken personally. But again, I apologise for any harm I caused.