Concern over repeat of 1976 massacre is well-founded
Lungstib falsely claims that I don’t care about Thailand’s youngsters and that I am out of touch with international politics (“A military mindset sees enemies everywhere”, Have Your Say, yesterday).
Was Lungstib in Bangkok during the student uprising that led to the 1976 Thammasat University massacre? I was here. And that is why I am more alert than some people to the worsening trend in this country.
I do care tremendously about Thailand’s youth because it is they who will inherit rule of the country. But I am against my country’s young generation being led by underhanded and self-important people who put themselves before their country. I will keep on exposing unscrupulous politicians – young or old – who behave hypocritically and harbour bad intentions towards their homeland.
If you want to change the status quo, including the military, the best way is for the politicians to offer a better behavioural alternative to their target group – by way of communication, discussion and a step-by-step process, not by instigating an uprising as seems to be the case today. For this to happen, both the military and the politicians must develop a mindset that favours compromise.
I understand this, because I experienced the 1976 uprising and massacre.
As for the foreign governments and organisations who sent representatives to support the leader of a political party accused of sedition, they must be held accountable if any turmoil ensues after they took a partisan role in Thailand’s internal affairs.
Condemnation is in order if that ever happens.
Vint Chavala
