OPINION

Soft power notes

Re: "Isan heritage takes centre stage in Khon Kaen", (Life, Dec 24).

I'd be interested to know how the soft power of Isan's mor lam will be promoted. There are no books in English on mor lam music or its history, although there are a smattering of academic theses on some aspects of the music.

Can I pick up a book in a Thai bookstore on how to play the Thai phin -- a string musical instrument? No, but quite a few on the guitar. Yet the Thai phin, with its three strings, is a great instrument to learn to play.

Can I pick up a book of popular Isan or Thai songs in musical notation? No, the best I will find is a version written as Doe, Ray, Me in Thai script.

Isan's mor lam is the Thai equivalent of the American blues, and everyone knows the 12-bar blues. Let's hope the mor lam equivalent to the 12-bar blues becomes a little better known. As for promoting Isan's pla-ra (fermented fish), good luck with that; being English, the nearest we have is fish and chips with an extra sprinkling of salt and vinegar.

Art of letters

Re: "Feast of feuds", (PostBag, Dec 26).

Ray Ban complains about two others who write too often and or produce misinformation. Ok. As a long-time student of demography and population explosion, I agree Mr Setter's letter about China's birth rate was a jumble.

I only recently began to get the Post at home, and it is a blessing to have a quality English newspaper again.

But years ago, there were other names who seemed to write to PostBag often.

I am saddened that I don't remember anyone's name as an example.

But maybe I am one. I lost a box with 20 or 30 Post Bags I wrote.

But I miss the PostBag.

We should all appreciate the long tradition of letters to the editor, a tradition at great risk along with so many changes in our new internet world.

Censorship paradox

Re: "Crossing the line", (PostBag, Dec 24).

Songdej Praditsmonont reminds us that the editor of PostBag should not censor content from letter writers.

However, he insists on imposing his own brand of censorship by threatening legal action against fellow scribes ad nauseam.

He opines that many countries have libel laws.

On this we are agreed.

However, most, if not all, would entertain a minor complaint from a super-sensitive individual seeking personal satisfaction.

The current law in Thailand is abused by individuals to exact revenge with draconian retribution on individuals with a diverse opinion.

I wish Khun Songdej a happy new year.

Reform is overdue

Re: "ACT pans graft cases response", (BP, Dec 24).

The Royal Thai Police strongly affects almost every facet of our daily lives. Yet it cries out for reform from top to bottom.

For instance, then-top cop Big Tor and his direct report Big Joke accused each other of corruption with credible evidence. No investigator dared face the press while rejecting both cops' charges.

In 2006-07, then-PM Gen Surayud Chalanont appointed former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Vasit Dejkunjorn to make the RTP more transparent, accountable, and community-oriented.

Gen Vasit's recommendations included:

(a) Decentralisation and community-based policing.

(b) Merit-based evaluation and promotion.

(c) Public involvement, with an Independent Committee of Complaints to oversee police performance.

PM Paetongtarn should send Gen Vasit's report to parliament for updating and implementation.

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