Ready to help, when it suits

The government deserves praise for bringing Thais back from Egypt so promptly, to the comfort of their families. This was accomplished with no fanfare and no political motive. PM Yingluck Shinawatra’s words were most heartening, that “it was the government’s duty to take care of Thais’ safety, no matter where they were”. This is a great difference from the incumbent party’s view on the deep South, where the government is most gifted in words but always short in deeds.

By the same token, the current fever over badminton champion Ratchanok Inthanon shows the ugly reality of those who love to tag along on the glory of others. It is great that Ratchanok and her guardians have had the sense to say enough is enough and that she needs to go back to strenuous training to ensure she isn’t a one-time hero.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok