OPINION

Spot-on words

Re: "No more excuses", (PostBag, Dec 26) and "Shrinking the naughty list", (Editorial, Dec 24).

KL's letter today is spot on. Unfortunately, the wealthy rogues it targets will simply scoff at its contents if they can manage to read it (unlikely). Such change is heretical here.

"Four legs good, two legs better" in a former PM's ironically chosen book of the moment.

Keep Thailand safe

Re: "Three foreigners held on drugs charges", (BP, Dec 21), "14 nabbed over call centre scam", (BP, Dec 4) and "Police bust two Chinese syndicates", (BP, Nov 23).

Crimes committed by foreigners frequently appear in newspapers and TV news broadcasts, and as a person who loves and often travels to Thailand for my holiday, I am concerned about foreign gangs operating there to commit crimes and illegal activities and dragging local people into their operations.

Thai police are busy tracking those criminals and doing a good job of smashing their illegal activities, arresting and putting them in court.

I think the press and TV stations can do their part to help eradicate those activities by telling Thais that such crimes cannot be condoned, and asking them to keep an eye on their communities for any unusual activities in their surroundings. They should also report any suspicious people in their area.

Fights and altercations often occur in tourist areas where bars are congregated, and intoxicated people get into trouble by getting into fights and getting hurt in the process. This is one area of concern, and the authorities should look into the matter.

Thailand is well known for its warm hospitality, welcoming tourists, and coming to their aid when they need help. I have many fond memories of my travels to Thailand over the past 50 years, and it will always have a place in my heart.

Keeping foreign criminals out of Thailand is good for all, and I wish the kingdom every success in its endeavours.

Population crisis

Re: "Feast of feuds", (Postbag, Dec 26) and "Population puzzle", (PostBag, Dec 25).

The number of children in China is extremely low, and the workforce is dwindling while the economy is declining.

To counter the enormous implications which a declining population has for the economy, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has resurrected former "birth control officers" who are now called "birth promotion officers."

Indeed, it was reported in October this year the Chinese government has decided to implement a "menstrual police" system at the local level to monitor the reproductive status of women of childbearing age who have not yet given birth.

Birth control measures are now forbidden; women (both single and married) are closely monitored by the menstrual police to ensure they are conceiving as many children as possible.

And the men are being forced to marry and work to create and support large families. The popular anti-marriage and anti-childbearing sentiments which dominate social media are now being heavily criticised by China's digital authorities.

Combined with extensive social unrest, the extreme listlessness of Chinese youth, homelessness, the large number of unemployed college graduates, and the structural weaknesses of the economy, there are new sentiments swirling in social media that are hinting at regime change and how fragile things are at the Zhongnanhai -- a compound that houses the offices of and serves as a residence for the leadership of the CCP and the State Council.

It should be self-evident that false claims by the CCP of having a population of 1.4 billion people when it is probably 800 million or less have important ramifications for geopolitics and the global economy.

This news from independent online sources does not make it to mainstream media, and I thought it would interest PostBag readers. Apologies to those who did not find it.

Proactive politics

Re: "People's Party's poll losses lead to vital lessons", (Opinion, Dec 24).

Saritdet Marukatat's opinion piece is a stern warning for the People's Party (PP). The opinion is timely and fitly described the loss in the last two local elections as a "blessing in disguise". But that is the sentiment of the public and Khun Saritdet.

In my humble opinion, I wonder whether the PP will share the same opinion or look at the recent loss as a "blessing in disguise."

To me, it does not look like the PP is active in changing gears and laying new plans and strategies with the aim of winning the next general election in 2027 while accepting Thaksin's immense influence in rural areas.

I was expecting Khun Saritdet to come up with more specific suggestions for the progressive party to improve their tactics to defeat Thaksin and the puppet PM.

As a former election campaigner overseas, I would like to offer my observations and suggestions, although I did not vote for the Move Forward Party in the latest election. Indeed, I consider these politicians the boldest and the party the most proactive political party in the last few decades.

The progressive party has inspired young people, students even at the school level, to be brave, vocal and idealistic when serving the public. The party even talks about the idea of abolishing Section 112, something that was unimaginable in the past.

But I dare to say they lack maturity, political shrewdness and the games on the dark side of politics.

My observations and suggestions as follows for PP leaders to consider:

First, I observed that elected MPs and city councillors from this party often disappear after they win elections. That makes this progressive party similar to other traditional parties.

Before the election in 2019, the Move Forward Party, which is now PP after it was ordered to disband by the charter court, differentiated itself from others by being more visible in public and opening up more party offices in each district.

My heart, like others, was lightened by their activities -- a presence in local markets with speeches via loudspeakers in the morning, inviting locals to their party office to talk on problems in the community. All those disappeared right after the win in the elections, and the party was dissolved and reborn as the PP.

So, PP's top management and leadership should revive the same practice and sincere attitude to bring back confidence in the public and prove they are sincere and care for us.

Secondly, I found that the Move Forward Party initiated nearly all protest rallies based on Section 112 and evolved around related issues.

I saw the majority of the participants were young people. Currently, protest rallies have been discontinued after the new party was formed.

PP should organise more rallies on other burning issues, too. Indeed, there are many issues young people can campaign for.

Among them are ill-conceived public policies, corruption, poorly maintained roads, a lack of infrastructure, local mafias, and even drug joints in communities. These political rallies should involve senior and middle-aged citizens. A total inclusivity is very important.

I believe PP is the only commendable party that can organise rallies on international geopolitical issues.

Indeed, the party's MPs have shown their stance on international issues, such as pressuring the government to negotiate with countries with leverage, such as Iran, Qatar and Lebanon, to help negotiate to free Thai hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.

PP should demonstrate in front of their embassies in Bangkok. Participation of Thai Muslims in the demonstration is very important, and not only Buddhist Thais, to avoid divisions between Buddhists and Muslims. Families of hostages should be brought as well.

My third observation is that all the PP's electoral candidates usually engage with the public by opening their online channels and sites. From these online platforms, the public can communicate directly with them -- this would be fresh air for Thai politics.

However, I notice that these politicians do not actually engage with the public. Indeed, they rarely reply; they just cast their information. The one-way communication will just disappoint followers and widen the distance between the party and people even more.

I only wish to see the PP organise regular events and workshops where their party members, volunteers and local elected candidates can discuss with the public responses to questions.

This two-way communication can help PP engage with communities sustainably and meaningfully. They can be more aware of people's problems in the local community and address them more closely.

My last observation is that PP lacks engagement and relationships with communities. Indeed, community events can be organised, such as community cleanups, public hygiene promotions, fun-filled events for kids, sports and knowledge camps for poor people, sports events, free education in English and science and recreational clubs for kids and communities.

I dare say these useful events that connect politicians with real people rarely are not on political parties' agendas and strategies.

If the PP is sincere in flushing away old politics, my observations and suggestions could be useful. But the progressive party must make a quick turnaround and adopt such suggestions to avoid further losses in upcoming elections.

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