Go ask your dad!

Thaksin Shinawatra’s son Panthongtae has launched a crusade to “reclaim the Thai flag”, saying: “The national flag and the national anthem are symbols of Thainess – they do not belong to any one particular group. Everybody should help reclaim the flag and not let it be used as a tool to divide the Thais.”

I feel sorry for Panthongtae, having been reared to believe his family can do no wrong. He does not seem to realise that corrupt practices in government for self-enrichment should be considered “un-Thai”, not to mention criminal. He does not know that being economical with the truth in court is a crime. Decrying the merits of the courts and trying to change the Constitution to benefit one family is certainly not patriotic. If he wants to know how to divide the Thais he should be told, “Go and ask your dad!”

Richard Bowler

Bangkok