Thai farmers are resourceful
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Re: "An apology to middle-class Thais", Letters, April 2.
One cannot imagine middle-class Thais being interested in Mr Arnone apologising, as few would read his letters anyway. He refers to Sondej Praditsmanont’s letter of March 27 in which the writer refers to Mr Arnone and his contretemps with Vint Chavala. Khun Sondej admired Khun Vint’s restraint in his letter (“Expats’ letters are an addictive cocktail of intelligence and ignorance”) for not “telling Arnone to go home”.
However, Mr Arnone says that Khun Sondej “didn’t divulge which side of the quality spectrum I belong to”. By strong implication it is clear that Khun Sondej felt Khun Vint had every right to tell Arnone to go home and was surprised that he did not state exactly that. Judging by Mr Arnone’s letters, and particularly this one, one is surprised Khun Vint did not politely suggest Mr Arnone’s repatriation.
Mr Arnone assures us, “I will give you the facts”. Due to being resident on a farm, Mr Arnone sets himself up as an authority on farmers implying that his farmer-neighbour with the broken arm is typical of Thai farmers. He is not. A simple wood splint and a bandage would have saved the farmers arm in the absence of money for a doctor.
Mr Arnone further states that “Thai farmers are so loyal to the Shinawatras”. Well a year ago there were thousands of Thai farmers within the protests against the Shinawatra family. They were vociferously intent on the family’s removal from power.
A well-known writer of articles in BP was raised on a rice farm and is now an economist living in the USA. A writer has to consider the broader picture and many farmers are capable of that. They are mostly very resourceful people, capable of repairing most things including themselves.
JC Wilcox
