A love-hate relationship

I like to believe that I am no Thaksin-hater. But after reviewing Somsak Pola’s basis for branding anyone as a Thaksin-hater, only my “yes” answer to one question of his could have qualified me as a hater.

In my view, a coup is justified if, through the overwhelming majority of MPs, an amnesty is granted to a convicted man who has not even served one day of a prison sentence. I do care for the rule of law and am prepared to accept an exception to my normal belief that “a coup is not an essential part of Thai politics”.

I have reached the stage of not ever idolising, loving or hating anybody, and therefore view Khun Somsak’s letter as somewhat divisive. Oddly enough, I still do like Thaksin for his past initiatives in widening public healthcare and raising the standard of living of the poor in Thailand, but dislike him for hiring a foreign lawyer to colour our country unfavourably. Through that pondering, I now know for certain that I am no Thaksin-hater.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok