Cultural resistance
Re: "Know your history", (Editorial, June 8).
Kudos to the writer for the essential analysis of Thai education in general and the manner in which history is imparted in particular. The need of the hour is to instil in young minds critical thinking skills, the foundation of which lies in encouraging students to ask "why?" or "why not?"
Sadly, this comes up against a deeply ingrained cultural resistance to questioning phu yai, whether that phu yai is a parent, teacher or anyone in a position of authority. Under the guise of politeness, this widespread attitude leads not only to a dearth of new ideas and innovation but also to such phu yai treating independence as a form of rebellion.
Vichai
Consensus building
Re: "Still haunted by Wahington Consensus", (Opinion, June 11).
Another excellent analysis and a challenge to "link the dots" across articles. Prof Antara Haldar, Cambridge/Harvard, formulates existential questions on the new leadership of the South and an outdated Washington Consensus. We need to take a step further than the Seoul (Development) Consensus agreed upon in 2010 toward a "Soul Consensus that accommodates ordinary people's psychic needs, in addition to the country's aggregate material needs".
What the Washington Consensus should have done was shape a pathway to fulfilment of the "Freedom from Want", one of Roosevelt's Four Freedoms. These provided a foundation for the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Instead, the Washington Consensus anchored an economist's formula and institutions to facilitate corporate interests and neo-colonial development.
A Soul Consensus should not be guided by a narrow understanding of spirituality, like organised religion. Rather, in addition to the other three of Roosevelt's freedoms, freedom from fear, freedom of expression and freedom of worship, the need to recognise a "fifth freedom" emerges: freedom to co-exist by means of mutual care for Nature as a living system, and humanity which is part of it.
This new relationship of mutual care between humanity and nature should be protected from extractive and exploitative economic interests. It will require earth trusteeship, which recognises global citizens as equal trustees. Hence, liberation from business abuses, which necessitates a new anti-trust doctrine (Opinion, June 11). In China maybe a revival of (secular) TAO spirituality? Above all, a unique Thai pro-active neutrality (a Middle Path) beyond purely opportunistic double membership of the OECD and Brics+.
Hans
Proper payouts?
Re: "Singapore Airlines to pay injured passengers", (BP, June 12).
Following the flight SQ321 turbulence event, Singapore Airlines offered $10,000 (366,900 baht) in compensation for minor injuries and $25,000 for serious injuries, but is this enough? There are also refunds for their trips.
Turbulence is hard to detect beforehand, so is it their fault? The legal points will be decided by others, but it is similar to driving where some unforeseen event causes a driver to run into the back of a car, and almost always, the following driver is responsible.
From a cynical viewpoint, the small compensation offer will satisfy most passengers and court cases will be avoided. The real cost of an injury over the following years is hard to determine. The best offer would be for any current costs and an ongoing commitment for any future costs, including loss of wages.
Dennis Fitzgerald
