Politics is controlled by us, not politicians
Re: “Puey gives hope for the path ahead”, Letters, March 13.
Last week, 100 years after his birth, Puey Ungphakorn was remembered with great affection and respect at Thammasat University, where he established the Faculty of Economics in 1934.
Born to Chinese parents, Puey was a confirmed Thai patriot. He was a technocrat of great intellect whose economics encompassed the concerns of all people, particularly the poor. This prompted the elite of the day to brand him a communist. At one time he held two posts, university dean and Bank of Thailand director. He preferred the status of dean.
He was urged to enter politics, but felt he could maintain his integrity and better help society by remaining outside that arena. A close friend said of him that he wasn’t a political creature, being too honest, too idealistic and too stubbornly committed to truth, beauty and goodness.
To keep their jobs, career politicians have to say what will earn them votes. They have to conform to the world of politics.
Only the people can raise politics to a moral level that Dr Puey might have considered acceptable. To do that they must be better informed and insist on democratic principles being established. It is always true that people get the government they deserve.
By selling their vote for a few baht, people invite corrupt governance. Until this situation changes, great men like Puey will never be drawn to enter politics.
JC Wilcox
