An expat's view: People who sell their votes sell their futures short
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Almost 20 years ago I was invited by some friends to go for a holiday in Phuket. Having already travelled to Indonesia on several occasions, I thought, "Why not?"
Little did I know that these two words would change my life.
We stayed at a hotel in Patong. I found the surroundings very similar to Kuta in Bali.
Not satisfied with this I decided to go into Phuket City and experience life as the locals do. It was there that my obsession with this Mystical Land began.
I returned to Australia with a thirst for knowledge about this "Amazing Thailand". At that time I had already been studying Buddhism for 10 years so I thought the next logical step was to learn the language. I now speak fluent Thai and Lao Song.
Now I have travelled to Thailand many times and have spent 12 out of the last 20 years there. During this quest for knowledge and understanding of Thai culture I have encountered many things that have left me feeling frustrated only to ask "why?" and what can be done to ensure a better future for Thailand.
Over the years I was to learn that there are so many things wrong in Thailand, such as class structure, graft and corruption at many levels, drugs, prostitution, gangs and killings – not to
mention a political system that is in constant turmoil. I have met many of the downtrodden rural poor who seem to have just given up. "Mai pen rai" can be such sad words to hear.
Only today my wife who is Thai described her own people as "ma katkan". Translated into the English context it is "dog eat dog". This nearly broke my heart.
Of late social media have had many comments and heated debates from both Thais and expats over the current flood
situation. A lot of anger and
frustration is openly displayed. But whether they agree or disagree with the comments, all seem to have two things in common – a love of Thailand and a dream of a better future.
So the question remains, “How can this better life be attained?” I believe there is a twofold answer.
First, all Thais eligible to vote CAN make a difference. The major political parties will readily buy votes. But for a few baht, is it worth the long-term pain for short-term gain?
Thais need to stand up and be counted. Selling your vote is not a step in the right direction of electing a democratic government. People need to keep in mind that money can breed greed and in turn greed breeds a thirst for power, which more often than not contributes to widespread
corruption.
Second, Thailand is quoted as having a Buddhist population of up to 95 per cent. Yes there are many beautiful temples in Thailand and many, many ceremonies conducted throughout the Buddhist year.
But apart from attending these ceremonies, how many people actually conduct their lives according to The Five Precepts?
I have seen many people making merit in the hope that their lives will improve. That's not what it’s about.
Put simply it's about SELFLESSNESS, not SELFISHNESS.
Khun Thai, it's time to wake up and have a good look at yourselves. You, the people of Thailand, are the country’s
treasure.
There is a well known song by Michael Jackson – "Heal the world ... make the world a better place...” – and yes, I most definitely want that for my grandson living in Thailand.
This is "My Dream", AND DREAMS CAN COME TRUE!
