Reforms in Myanmar are for the better

In my previous letter, I also shared Roland Watson’s mistrust of the Myanmar military junta.

However, we differ on the route to achieving peace and prosperity for Myanmar. Since Aung San Suu Kyi won 81 per cent of the seats in the 1990 election and was precluded from being premier, the downfall of the junta has always been the wishes of many. The army’s cruelty and squandering were similar to Thailand in the 1960s and drew my pity for the poor Myanmar people and not idolisation for the Lady. 

For years, despite sanctions debasing Myanmar to a pariah state, I did not see light for her people at the end of the tunnel until Thein Sein offered an olive branch. It must be the ill fate of the despots of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya that put fear into those ruffians. If the Lady was dogmatic and emotionally indulgent, then we would never see the end in sight and instead would have a neighbour with increasing nuclear capacity like North Korea. The population would go on at subsistence level or even worse when cyclones like Nargis strike.

I admit that I am less idealistic and principle-minded than Mr Watson but like to believe that I am more pragmatic and hopeful for eventual justice and peace to prevail in Myanmar. I feel that this time we will not be fooled. Even if we are, at least her inhabitants will benefit from rubbing shoulders with wealthy nations and be given reasonable human rights like Thailand has now.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok