At least give her a chance

After two decades of detention, it must have been an anticlimax for Aung San Suu Kyi, on her first morning of freedom outside Myanmar, to read this letter questioning all the magnetic forces drawn to her. She is slighted for being egotistic in her current role.

First, it is natural for the world to focus on her right now because the “release” of her shackles is still fresh after her long suffering under the watchful eyes of the world. It was only in March that the military saw the light of using “The Lady” as a means to better her people. Her party, suppressed over decades, is still too young to be the political force that the writer expects.

Second, two days spent with Lady Ashton, the EU’s representative, is again natural, compared to only a few hours with President Thein Sein, who is the head of a non-representative government. It is more exciting for anyone to spend time with the Lady than with an ex-general. This Lady is no Lady Gaga, but a one-person political force.

Third, the writer hopes the Lady will be like Nelson Mandela in sharing attention with others. It took more than four years for the idolisation of Mandela to die down.

Finally, the writer seems to be envious of the Lady’s command of attention, and the substance of the letter is weakened by the writer’s use of a pseudonym.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok